Netflix's Scooby-Doo live action prequel could be about to 'ruin childhoods'

24 years on from the iconic Live-Action Scooby Doo film which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, and Freddie Prinze Jr, Netflix are releasing their own live-action prequel series.

The Scooby Doo cartoons were iconic parts of many people’s childhoods, but the live action films have developed a cult status that may have even overtaken the original TV show in popularity.

In addition to the original two-film series (which were written by now beloved director James Gunn) there have been a further three live-action films which you probably didn’t watch, but now Netflix are trying to become the latest to bring the crime-solving dog to life.

Called Scooby Doo: Origins, Netflix have released the first look at both Shaggy (who will be played by Tanner Hagen) and the titular Scoob, and fans are less than impressed.

What do we know about Scooby Doo: Origins?

Netflix have previously announced that the prequel series will follow the Mystery Inc gang at their last year of summer camp, featuring a younger cast.

Shaggy and Daphne are old friends, Velma is described as the ‘pragmatic and scientific townie’, Freddie is new to town, and the mystery revolves around them finding ‘a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder’.

Joining Hagen, the most famous member of the cast is Mckenna Grace, playing Daphne, whilst Velma and Freddie are played by Abby Ryder Fortson and Maxwell Jenkins respectively.

The teaser introduces Scooby and, as noted by Netflix in their announcement, it is a real dog for the first time ever.

Why could Netflix ‘ruin childhoods’ with the new show?

This suggestion was floated by a fan on X who responded to the teaser saying: “You just know they're gonna completely fumble this and ruin our childhoods.”

The most simple criticism however is a fairly simple one that has been made of multiple live action adaptations of cartoons in the past: that the dog just… looks like a dog.

The Lion King faced this criticism when, in a bid for ‘realism’, they had the lions look uber-lifelike and removed all ability for the characters to have any expressions and if anything actually distracted viewers.

Listen, I'm not saying he isn't adorable (Netflix)

2002’s Scooby Doo did a great job of this by having a CGI Scooby, and it’s hard to imagine the admittedly adorable puppy shown in the Origins teaser being anywhere near as effective.

Peter Crosman, a Visual Effects Supervisor on Scooby Doo, said of the decision to use CGI to bring the Great Dane to life in an interview with 4RFV: “Scooby is the central character in the movie and a large amount of the inertia, the thrust of the movie, is born out of his look and mannerisms.

“A full palette of CGI options is a virtually limitless way for us to create Scooby's persona, allowing us to infuse him with his cartoon characteristics – especially his facial expressions, his jaw structure and smile and still make him look realistic.”

What are fans saying about the Scooby Doo: Origins teaser?

Fans are pretty split on the teaser, with fans swinging between hating the more grounded version of the character and others simply pointing out how adorable the puppy is.

One comment on Reddit said: “This would be the first time Scooby-Doo has ever used a real dog as Scooby, right? I honestly think it's still more true and accurate than anything Velma did, and the dog himself is adorable.”

Another said: “The only bad thing about that, is that I'm not sure how his more cartoony expressions, and jokes would work through an actual dog. But considering how good the cast looks, I let the creators cook, and still trust in that project. The dog looks cute btw.”

The cast of the prequel (Netflix)

A third commented: “Oh, they're playing it very safe with Scooby's design, then. I understand a talking dog can be hard to pull off in live-action, but it's still a fundamental part of the character and the franchise as a whole (Maybe I'm wrong and he will talk, but that's not the impression this first look gives). I'm very much on the fence right now.”

Scooby Doo: Origins will release on Netflix in 2027.