A new mystery begins: Scooby-Doo: Origins and the weight of nostalgia

Growing up, Scooby-Doo was a staple in my household. Whether it was the films or shows, it would always be on the television. Even now, at the age of twenty, I continue to find comfort in rewatching their adventures, having just recently binged all the animated films back-to-back (and I am proud enough to admit Cyber Chase is in my top four films on Letterboxd). So, with the announcement of the new live-action adaptation produced by Netflix, one question that remains at the foreground of my mind is: to what extent can you adapt such a beloved franchise?

Since the premiere of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! on the 13 September 1969, the universe has accumulated millions of fans worldwide, becoming one of the longest-running and most expansive animated franchises in history. Having been adapted in various forms over the years, there exist fifteen different animated television series, alongside various spin-offs and reboots, and over fifty feature-length films. With differing voice actors (aside from Frank Welker who has voiced Fred in almost every animated iteration) and visual characteristics, each version possesses its own unique interpretation of the beloved mystery gang.

Inevitably, these interpretations have been subjected to both praise and criticism by fans over the years. My personal favourite, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, offers a comforting watch, with each depicting short adventures of the gang solving a mystery, where the bad guy is typically revealed to be a corrupted aristocrat. Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated is widely regarded as a fan favourite due to its intense plot, navigating a darker story through cosmic horror and serialised storytelling. Perhaps there is some recency bias in its appraisal though, as it is one of the most recent interpretations. Be Cool, Scooby Doo was subjected to negative criticisms upon its release in 2015 due to its vastly different style design, however some fans gradually came to accept it due to its witty portrayals of the characters. Not to mention the incredible animated films produced since Scooby Goes Hollywood, released in 1979.

However, placing animations to the side, there have only been five live action Scooby-Doo films (and I am not talking about the 2009 and 2010 films or Daphne & Velma in 2018). Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed can arguably be considered as cultural phenomenons, attaining cult classic status. With the likes of Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and real life-couple Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the films continue to resonate with fans to this day. The use of terrible CGI to portray the titular dog continues to be a source of nostalgia, and is often referenced through internet memes, most notably his ability to get through airport security disguised as Shaggy’s elderly grandmother.

So, after two significant additions to the film industry, it is hard to believe another live action interpretation is in the works. Scooby-Doo: Origins is a TV series that will serve as a modern retelling of how the mystery gang first came together. Shaggy (Tanner Hagen) and Daphne (McKenna Grace), longtime friends, will investigate a supernatural murder linked to a Great Dane puppy. Velma (Abby Ryder Fortson) and Fred (Maxwell Jenkins) eventually join them in their case, thus uniting the gang. In the short teaser released by Netflix on the eighth of June, Shaggy is shown lifting up the Great Dane puppy, who we all know to be the beloved dog. Instead of using CGI, the show has chosen to use a real-life dog to depict Scooby-Doo, bringing the iconic character to life for the first time.

This decision has received a wide array of responses from fans, as while some appreciate the authenticity the show is attempting to deliver, others have questioned whether he even looks like Scooby, with many arguing he resembles a chocolate Labrador more than a Great Dane. In turn, people have criticised the lack of expression which can be conveyed through the use of a real-life dog, as opposed to the whimsical abilities that CGI can portray. For me personally, I cannot bring myself to start judging a dog that cute. While many have said he has specific features that do not accurately depict Scooby-Doo (bear in mind that is what Great Dane puppies look like when they’re young), he is just a puppy at the end of the day. The teaser certainly worked to highlight the love between Shaggy and his ‘old buddy old pal’, and, in my opinion, captures this crucial bond which is necessary for any adaptation of the beloved franchise.

On the other hand, the reception of the human leads has been largely positive. Fans are hopeful that this cast will accurately bring to life these classic characters. McKenna Grace, set to play Daphne, has long since been a fan of the character. Many appreciate her physical resemblance to the stylish redhead, possessing similar qualities to Sarah Michelle Gellar, who came to embody her early-2000s appearance. In a similar way, Maxwell Jenkins, Abby Ryder Fortson and Tanner Hagen have also received highly positive reactions, with viewers praising their looks, mannerisms, and portrayals that have the potential to become iconic iterations of the characters. The actors involved all possess strong enthusiasm for their roles and establishing the dynamic of the mystery gang, making me hopeful that this will be translated onto our screens next year.

As the show is being produced by Netflix, many are worried about the company’s ability to adapt the source material onto the screen. They have certainly received a reputation over the years for altering or completely disrespecting what they are given to work with, and for that alone I am anxious to find out what they will do to the beloved franchise. Additionally, there are concerns over turning the comforting cartoon into a modern teen drama, following a similar style to Riverdale, potentially taking away the charm of the supernatural-comedy in the first place.

With all this being said, I am looking forward to seeing what they produce. Scooby-Doo is no stranger to reinterpretations, and my primary concern regarding this new rendition is whether the cast can truly capture the dynamic that is so crucial to the mystery gang. The choice of using a real-life dog will be interesting, and whilst there is a chance that the Great Dane may not be able to portray the whimsical expression that is synonymous with the beloved character, I do think fans need to stop hating on a literal puppy and simply just wait for the adaptation to be released next year.