James Gunn is revealing additional information about his misplaced R-rated Scooby-Doo film about 20 years after it debuted in theatres. The writer/director, who is most known for his work on the Guardians of the Galaxy films by Marvel, also wrote the scripts for Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, which were both live-action Scooby-Doo movies released in 2002. Based on the original animated television franchise, the first episode followed the Mystery Incorporated members as they regrouped after a two-year hiatus to look into a case involving a resort with a horror theme. It featured Neil Fanning as Scooby’s voice, Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Scooby-Doo gained popularity commercially while receiving mixed to unfavorable reviews, which enabled the production of Monsters Unleashed and created a new fan following independent of the animated series. The 2002 movie was supposed to have received an R-rating because it was intended to have a darker tone and more adult humor. Still, it changed course and changed its direction before it was released. In 2017, Gunn verified the rumors, saying that a female star’s cleavage was removed using CGI. However, he insisted that he still enjoyed creating the movie. Many cast members have discussed the specific elements removed from Scooby-Doo years after the movie debuted in theatres. Still, fans acclimated to Gunn’s writing style have shown interest in seeing an R-rated version.
James Gunn has already moved to Twitter to provide fans with additional information about the misplaced R-rated Scooby-Doo movie. In response to a query concerning the PG-13 cut, the author says that although the film never obtained that rating, he and the director, Raja Gosnell, intended to make it that way. He points out that it was altered from R to PG after the MPAA awarded it an R rating and made some changes. Here is a tweet from Gunn:
The first Scooby-Doo was originally intended (by me, the producers & the director, Raja Gosnell) to be PG-13, but we never got a PG-13 rating. So the first rating from the MPAA was R, & then a bunch of stuff was changed, & that cut ended up being rated PG.
Will the movie ever be released?
Gunn has previously talked about releasing an R-rated Scooby-Doo. However, it might not be the 2002 movie’s original version. When questioned about the potential of creating a new episode with the same cast members back in August, Gunn said he believed the studio would be amenable if they approached them and got everyone back on board. While Gunn may be too busy right now, he did not object to the concept of revisiting the Mystery Incorporated members as adults. Matthew Lillard and Freddie Prinze Jr. have also indicated a willingness to do so.
It will be intresting to see if something can be put together later, given the fan enthusiasm for the idea of an R-rated Scooby-Doo movie and the ongoing development of an adult animated Velma series. It would be fantastic to have Gunn write and direct a new installment since audiences are familiar with his aesthetic thanks to his most recent works, including the R-rated Suicide Squad and Peacemaker. Despite the fact that fans may have to wait longer, Gunn’s willingness to consider different ideas is encouraging.
