Robert Zemeckis on Roger Rabbit 2, and Bob Hoskins Almost Not Being Cast

Robert Zemeckis on Roger Rabbit 2, and Bob Hoskins Almost Not Being Cast

As a die-hard fan of timeless cinema, I find myself continually enamored by the brilliance that is “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” The movie was truly ahead of its time, seamlessly blending live-action and animation while delivering an impeccable film noir story. Bob Hoskins’ performance as Eddie Valiant was nothing short of outstanding, standing tall amidst a sea of animated characters from both Warner Bros. and Disney.


The movie in question was visionary in numerous aspects, with a sequel’s script already penned and stored away in Disney’s vaults. Despite the original director occasionally revealing plot details, he has explained that there’s one major factor preventing its production – the clash between Jessica Rabbit’s character and Disney’s moral standards.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit stands out for two reasons – let’s pause here for a moment! The first is its amazing fusion of animation and live-action, and secondly, its meticulously constructed film noir plot, brilliantly portrayed by Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant, who plays it totally straight amidst the chaos of a multitude of animated characters from both Warner Bros. and Disney – a unique blend that was virtually unprecedented at the time.

In an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Zemeckis shared that there’s indeed a script for a sequel, but he doubts its production. One factor he mentioned as a potential hindrance is the glamorous persona of Roger’s wife, Jessica, which might complicate matters.

“There is a good script sitting at Disney but here’s the thing. Here’s what you have to know. The current Disney would never make Roger Rabbit today. They can’t make a movie with Jessica in it. So there is a [Peter] Seaman and [Jeffrey] Price sequel script. Is it ever going to see the light of day, as good as it is? I mean look at what they did with Jessica at the theme park, they trussed her up in a trench coat.”

What Happened to Bob Hoskins’ Character in the Sequel?

Despite the script’s secrecy, director Zemeckis once hinted at the fate of Bob Hoskins’ character Eddie. Although Hoskins has since passed away, it appears that his character would have been deceased in the sequel and would make a spectral return, according to the director’s revelation.

Originally, when the sequel was penned, Eddie Valiant was…much of the narrative revolved around him being deceased, yet he appeared as a specter at specific moments. However, it seems we can’t execute this concept anymore.

As Zemekis conversed with Horowitz regarding their film, he simultaneously remembered that Eddie might not have been portrayed by Hoskins had one of the other potential actors not found the proposal to play the role offensive.

Initially, I proposed the part that Bob Hoskins played to Paul Newman, but he found the suggestion offensive. To be honest, I merely suggested working on a film where I’d portray a character acting opposite a cartoon rabbit. Unfortunately, he didn’t seem to grasp the concept at all.

Thankfully, Hoskins did get it. The Chinatown-inspired Noir story perfectly countered the wonderfully colorful cast of animated characters, and Hoskins’ serious performance in the middle of it was the key to its success. While a sequel may still be an unlikely prospect, fans of Roger were thrilled to see his cameo in 2022’s hugely successful Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers movie, which delivered what could almost be called a spiritual sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit in many ways. It can currently be streamed on Disney+.

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2024-11-01 05:01