David Oyelowo provided an update on Disney’s long-in-development sequel The Rocket Launcher, The return of the rocket launcher. Disney has been trying to get a new Rocketeer movie off the ground for years, and the most recent attempt is the Lawmen: Bass Reeves star.
The return of the rocket launcher will have “a new creative direction with Ricourt’s story centering on a retired Tuskegee Airman who takes on the role of Rocketeer.”
During a recent interview with The Wrap, Oyelowo shared a positive update on the film, saying, “We have forward momentum.” He went on to offer some insight into the film’s process:
“I know you guys hear this stuff all the time, but we’re in the script development stage and if you’re going to reinvigorate that beloved franchise, you better deliver. And so Eugene Ashe is currently writing and we just talked about it this week. We are all very busy in this sense. But it will have to be great and we won’t stop until it is.”
The actor was then asked what made him want to be part of the film and he replied:
“Well, I loved the original movie. I remember seeing it and, again, not unlike the cowboy genre, there was something about it, its aspirational, inspirational, heroic quality. I also liked that it was a little more do-it-yourself and do-it-yourself in terms of the package. They weren’t superpowers. He was a boy. Somehow I just felt more grounded.
Speaking about the new version of the character in the sequel, Oyelowo offered the following insight:
“I had the idea of what happens if the jetpack is passed to a former Tuskegee Airman, someone who you don’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting and because he has the skill and courage to be able to do it” wear the pack and go off and act heroic?
“I think this is something that the original film had to do a little more heavy lifting is… Secord, he’s this circus pilot, and then how does he do that? And all that kind of stuff. But for a guy coming out of World War II who is an ace at what he does, those skills are transferable. And that became the launching pad for what seemed like, and thankfully Disney agreed to, a really exciting way to do this story in a slightly different way.”
I like this concept for the next iteration of Rocketeer! This seems like an interesting and fun direction for the story. I’m a huge fan of The Rocketeer! I loved the original movie and it’s so crazy that it took this long to get a sequel. But the sequel is coming and I’m excited to see how it turns out!
The original 1991 action-adventure film was directed by Joe Johnstonand based on the comic book series of the same name by Dave Stevens. Set in 1938 Los Angeles, the film follows the story of Cliff Secord, a young stunt pilot who stumbles upon a mysterious jetpack hidden in a stolen biplane. When he dons the rocket device, Cliff becomes the Rocketeer, a high-flying hero with the ability to thwart evil plans. As Cliff explores the fascinating but dangerous world of pre-World War II Hollywood, he must face a gang of Nazi spies led by the sinister Neville Sinclair, determined to get his hands on jetpack technology. Filled with thrilling aerial sequences, swashbuckling adventures and a hint of romance, “The Rocketeer” is a classic homage to the golden age of pulp heroes and remains a cult favorite among fans of both comics and retro cinema.
by Joey Paur
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
