There are certain franchises that never go out of style, and one of those is Scooby-Doo. The one thing I admire about the franchise is its ability to adapt, which has been a cause of strife amongst TV shows, movies, and much more.
The thing that sets Scooby-Doo apart is that the show doesn't forget how it started. At its very heart, the series follows a group of teenagers and their dog, solving mysteries. While the tone, style, and format can change, that one thing has stayed the same.
This upcoming series by Netflix is taking that idea and switching it up a little bit. In the article shared on Netflix's website, we got a look at what's to come and how the origin story might differ from what we've always known. The description is as follows: "During their final summer at Camp Ruby-Spears, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever-so-handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets." In a way, it feels like a classic Scooby-Doo plotline while also giving us something fun and fresh.
Frankly, there is so much to unpack with that, but that's a post for another day. If anything, that description and what Netflix is teasing are interesting. With the slight departure from the Scooby-Doo format we know and love, it does give the show some wiggle room to pay homage to its past iterations.
Will Netflix's Scooby-Doo series show love to its predecessors?
There are a few ways this series could give a nod to some of the other series, including the first series, which is Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! First and foremost, there could be different props, clothes, and other decorations modeled after episodes from the series. Whether it's something simple like putting est. 1969 on the Mystery Machine or an image where Velma is reading a pink book like in the credits; that's just one example.
Another example is showing some love to our favorite Scooby-Doo voice actors. Most notably, it would be great to see Frank Welker both voice Scooby-Doo and have a guest role in the series. He is such a versatile actor that adding him to the mix is undeniably groovy. In addition, we could also see people like Matthew Lillard, Grey Griffin, and Kate Micucci have small roles. We saw something similar in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated. It's all about those little touches that fans will appreciate.
Given how massive and beloved the Scooby-Doo canon is, the team already probably has these items figured out and is hopefully giving the proper love to the franchise. While some are ready to put the Riverdale moniker on the series, I'd rather not jump to conclusions yet. If anything, it might end up beginning as an origin story and then go into the format we all know and love.
Regardless, this live-action Scooby-Doo series has a lot of fans excited and talking, so hopefully, we won't get the Ugly Sonic treatment. Until we see any footage or know more, it's just best to take a breath and hope for the best.