Deadline has now confirmed part of the recent rumor: Jon Favreau is indeed working on a Disney+ series based on Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. The animation/live-action hybrid project will be written and produced by Favreau under Walt Disney Studios. While this doesn’t confirm the rumored Epic Mickey or Kingdom Hearts projects said to be connected to Oswald, it does lend credence to the idea that Disney is giving Favreau more creative freedom within the company.
Jon Favreau attends the ‘London mural – inspired by the Star Wars series The Mandalorian’, to celebrate the launch of The Mandalorian S3, on February 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by StillMoving.net for Disney)
This development raises major questions, particularly because it comes just days after Disney publicly stated that it was moving away from long-form animated content for streaming. The decision to cancel Tiana—a Princess and The Frog series previously in development—was framed as part of a larger strategic shift, yet here we are with a major animated project moving forward under Favreau’s guidance.
As That Park Place previously reported, sources indicated that the shake-up at Disney Animation was not merely about cutting costs but about eliminating the influence of Jennifer Lee’s DEI-era hires. The mass layoffs and cancellations that followed seemed aimed at reversing certain internal policies and personnel decisions rather than being purely about budget concerns.
Former Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee – YouTube, IMDB
The confirmation of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit only reinforces this theory—Favreau’s project is moving forward, while Tiana and other initiatives tied to the previous leadership are being axed. This further supports the idea that Disney’s internal restructuring is a deliberate course correction rather than just cost-cutting.
Favreau’s involvement also suggests that he may not be leaving Lucasfilm anytime soon.
While some have speculated about his future with the Star Wars franchise, the fact that Disney is allowing him to develop a personal passion project signals that the company values his contributions and wants to keep him engaged. Favreau has a deep reverence for Walt Disney’s legacy, and Oswald’s history is one of the most important chapters in the company’s past.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was one of Walt Disney’s earliest creations, predating even Mickey Mouse. Originally developed in 1927, Oswald starred in 27 animated shorts before Universal took control of the character in 1928.
Walt Disney in Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (1966), Walt Disney Productions
This loss was a defining moment in Walt Disney’s career, leading him to create Mickey Mouse as Oswald’s replacement. The rights to Oswald remained with Universal until 2006, when CEO Bob Iger made it a priority to bring the character back to the Disney fold. Since then, Oswald has seen occasional use in theme parks, merchandising, and the Epic Mickey video games, but he has yet to receive a dedicated project on the scale of what Favreau is reportedly working on.
While this news confirms the Oswald project, fans should temper expectations regarding the other rumored shows. Neither Epic Mickey nor Kingdom Hearts has been officially announced, and Disney’s history of greenlighting and then shelving projects means that even if discussions are happening, there’s no guarantee these will move forward.
Mickey Mouse, Riku, Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy in Kingdom Hearts 3 – YouTube, Shadow Digital Entertainment
However, the significance of this development extends beyond Oswald. Favreau’s ongoing involvement suggests he has secured a unique position within Disney, with the ability to develop passion projects even as other creators see their work cut. His long-standing influence, from launching the MCU with Iron Man to revitalizing Star Wars with The Mandalorian, has likely granted him more creative leeway than most. It also suggests that Disney is being highly selective about which long-form animated projects move forward, favoring those tied to proven, high-profile names.
As Disney navigates this shifting landscape, the confirmation of Oswald’s return signals a new phase in its content strategy—one where trusted creatives like Favreau are given room to explore legacy characters, while the remnants of previous management’s influence continue to be stripped away. Whether this restructuring ultimately benefits Disney’s long-term vision remains to be seen, but the company’s content strategy is undoubtedly evolving in real time.
Will you watch a Favreau produced Oswald show? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
