The Scooby-Doo franchise has expanded into a countless number of different iterations over the years. With both animated and live-action shows, films, and spin-offs circulating the pop culture realm, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what they haven’t already done. There is one project that many fans would love to see, however, and that’s an R-rated take on Scooby-Doo. Interestingly, the original 2002 live-action Scooby-Doo film was going to be rated as such. Now James Gunn, who wrote the film along with its sequel, has teased the possibility of a new Scooby-Doo film with an R-rating – he just doesn’t have the time right now to make it happen.
The notion was first brought up by a fan who received a response from actor Freddie Prinze Jr. Fans will recognize Freddie Prinze Jr. for having played the role of Fred Jones in both the first live-action film and its sequel. He initially responded that, “Rightly or wrongly they don’t have the guts to make that movie.”
While this could be disheartening news – James Gunn took the opportunity to reveal that it is indeed possible.
“I think they’d do it if we asked,” James Gunn replied. “I just don’t think I have the time right now!”
I think they’d do it if we asked. I just don’t think I have the time right now!
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) July 25, 2022
His reply certainly makes sense. After all, James Gunn has quite the reputation with Warner Bros at the moment. With his R-rated takes on both The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, it isn’t any surprise that he thinks he could get Scooby-Doo to receive the same treatment. Of course, considering how busy he is with all of these blockbuster projects, it also makes sense that Scooby-Doo isn’t very high on his list. But who knows? There’s always the possibility that it could happen at some point down the line.
This whole discussion started based on an interview with Matthew Lillard from TooFab. He had the following to say about doing an R-rated Scooby-Doo project:
“It’s up to the fans. I think that people listen, especially these days, to social media, they listen to fans and that fandom is really strong,” added Lillard, who agreed an R-rated reboot “would be a super fun thing to see.”
With both fans and members of the original cast and crew eager to do the project, it’ll be exciting to see if anything ever develops of the idea. In the meantime, fans will soon be getting the first animated Scooby-Doo series for adults with the spin-off show Velma on HBO Max.