Ryan Reynolds and Free Guy writer Matt Lieberman are reuniting to adapt the iconic cartoon superhero Mighty Mouse into a feature film. Mighty Mouse, who first debuted in the 1942 short The Mouse of Tomorrow, is a pint-sized superhero who was initially a parody of Superman with his super strength, flight, and penchant for operatic declarations like the famous catchphrase, “Here I come to save the day!” For his part, Reynolds is coming off the blockbuster success of Deadpool & Wolverine, his first movie in the MCU and third as the titular superhero.
According to Variety, Paramount Animation has tapped Reynold’s production company, Maximum Effort, to join the project alongside Lieberman, who wrote Free Guy, The Christmas Chronicles, and Scoob!. Brad Butler, vice president of animated features, will be overseeing the film. Additional details are so far being kept under wraps, but it is just the latest attempt at reviving the character for the big screen, as there have been other versions in development in recent years.
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The Mighty Mouse character enjoyed decades of popularity, appearing in dozens of theatrical shorts, a Saturday morning cartoon, and several reimaginings over the years. Despite its cultural legacy, previous attempts to create a modern Mighty Mouse film, including one by the writers behind The Meg and Red, stalled in development. Now, under the guidance of Reynolds and Lieberman, the project has new life.
The collaboration between Reynolds and Lieberman suggests Mighty Mouse will take cues from the pair’s successful work on Free Guy, imbuing a sense of humor in an action-adventure. This is not Maximum Effort’s first collaboration with Paramount, as the studios have several projects currently in development, including an adaptation of the sci-fi novel Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Paramount’s focus on Mighty Mouse aligns with the industry’s current strategy of adapting beloved animated properties, much like their work with the Sonic the Hedgehog trilogy, Disney’s live-action The Lion King, or Warner Bros.’ Scoob!.
Past iterations of the super-mouse relied heavily on slapstick humor and campy superhero tropes, making Mighty Mouse a natural fit for a modern parody-driven adaptation with a well-known comedy actor such as Reynolds, who excelled as a cocky superhero in the Deadpool franchise. Furthermore, Lieberman’s track record with animated projects also positions him well to craft a script that bridges nostalgia with a fresh story.
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Reynolds’ knack for irreverent humor makes him well-suited to bring Mighty Mouse to the big screen. The pint-sized hero’s over-the-top antics and parody roots align well with Reynolds’ track record, while Lieberman’s experience of blending action and quirky humor could bring out the project’s tone. This adaptation of Mighty Mouse has the potential to be a loving homage while poking fun at superhero tropes. The main challenge will be making a character rooted in the 1940s taste resonate with modern audiences. Yet, if anyone can save the day for Mighty Mouse, it’s Reynolds and his team.
Source: Variety
Ryan Reynolds
Discover the latest news and filmography for Ryan Reynolds, known for Deadpool and Free Guy.
- Birthdate
- October 23, 1976
- Birthplace
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Professions
- Actor , Producer , Entrepreneur