Oswald's Disney+ Return
Disney+ Unveils Oswald Miniseries for 2027, Featuring Hand-Drawn Animation and Star Cast
Key Points
Steve Martin is part of the Oswald cast, joining Amy Sedaris, Kathryn Hahn and the younger leads (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Ryder Allen).
SPA Studios in Spain is handling the hand-drawn animation for the series, with Sergio Pablos directing the animation team and bringing in veteran Disney animators.
Oswald’s backstory in the broader Disney history is emphasized: he was created in 1927, lost to Universal after a 1928 rights dispute, and Disney regained the rights in 2006.
Production included a three-week shoot at Disneyland last year, underscoring the scale and in-location work involved in capturing Oswald’s world.
Attendees at D23 were given Oswald collectible cards that feature an augmented reality experience, adding an interactive element to the reveal.
Disney and Jon Favreau have set a February 2027 premiere for "Oswald," a three-part Disney+ miniseries blending live-action and hand-drawn 2D animation, What's On Disney Plus reported. The first-look reveal came at D23, where attendees got a glimpse of Oswald dancing on Walt Disney's office piano.
The series marks a big moment for one of Disney's oldest characters. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created in 1927 — before Mickey Mouse — but was lost to Universal after a rights dispute in 1928. Disney got him back in 2006, WDW Info noted.
Jon Favreau Leads a Star-Packed Cast
Favreau is writing, directing, and executive producing the series, according to Head Topics. The live-action cast includes Amy Sedaris, Kathryn Hahn, and Steve Martin. Three younger leads — Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Ryder Allen — play middle schoolers at the center of the story.
John Debney signed on as the series composer. Debney has a long history with Disney. His work on the show continues a relationship built over many years and many projects, TBreak reported.
Hand-Drawn Animation Gets a Major Revival
The animation style is fully hand-drawn 2D — a technique Disney rarely uses today. Sergio Pablos leads the animation team, bringing in veteran Disney animators to do the work, WDW Info reported. SPA Studios in Spain is handling production on that side of the series.
The choice to go hand-drawn is a deliberate nod to Oswald's roots. The character dates back to the silent film era. Using traditional animation ties the new show directly to that history.
Disneyland Shoot and Walt's Office Take Center Stage
Production included a three-week shoot at Disneyland, according to What's On Disney Plus. That scale of on-location filming is rare for an animated hybrid series. The shoot helped capture the real-world settings where Oswald's story unfolds.
The first-look sequence shown at D23 featured Oswald dancing on the piano inside Walt Disney's actual office. That image drew a strong reaction from the crowd. Historic Disney locations play a key role throughout the series, TBreak noted.
D23 Collectible Cards Bring an AR Twist
Attendees at D23 walked away with special Oswald collectible cards. Each card features an augmented reality experience — point your phone at it and something comes to life on screen. It added an interactive layer to what was already a buzzy reveal, Head Topics reported.
The reveal reinforced just how much Disney wants Oswald to matter again. The rabbit sat mostly forgotten for nearly 80 years. Now he's getting a streaming miniseries, a star cast, hand-drawn animation, and his own collectible cards.
Sentiment
Mostly PositivePublishers
12
Articles
10
Reach
22
