Disney+'s RETURN OF THE ROCKETEER Grounded Amidst Shifting DEI Landscape Says David Oyelowo

Disney+'s RETURN OF THE ROCKETEER Grounded Amidst Shifting DEI Landscape Says David Oyelowo

First announced in August 2021, the long-gestating reboot of The Rocketeer for Disney+ has finally been put on ice says David Oyelowo.

By MarkJulian - May 12, 2025 09:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Sci-Fi
Source: The LA Times

Actor, director, and producer David Oyelowo has provided a disheartening update on the status of the Return of the Rocketeer, the sequel/reboot project in development at Disney+.

In a recent interview with the LA Times, Oyelowo revealed that the film is among several of his projects that have been effectively canceled due to the evolving political climate and a perceived shift away from prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the entertainment industry.

Oyelowo, who was set to executive produce and star in the revival, stated, "We gained traction with that project in the wake of the George Floyd murder and in a moment where there was a cultural correction and people seemed to want to do better. But now we’re in a moment where it’s evident that a lot of that was performative and not bone-deep. Projects like that suddenly become challenged. ‘Onyeka’ being one, ‘Return of the Rocketeer’ at Disney being another."

First announced in August 2021, Return of the Rocketeer was intended to introduce a Black female lead who would take over the iconic Rocketeer mantle from Cliff Secord (played by Billy Campbell in the 1991 film).

Oyelowo and his wife were instrumental in developing the project as executive producers, with Oyelowo also slated for a significant on-screen role. Jessica Jones writer Ed Ricourt initially penned the script.

The project appeared to be progressing along, albeit at a slow clip, with the most recent update in October 2023 confirming that Sylvie's Love filmmaker Eugene Ashe was brought on to write a new iteration of the script.

However, Oyelowo's recent comments suggest that the film has now stalled, a casualty of what he describes as a retreat from genuine commitment to diverse storytelling.

The original Rocketeer film, released in 1991, was based on the comic book series created by writer/artist Dave Stevens in 1982. Following Stevens' passing in 2008, his estate licensed the property to IDW Publishing, continuing the legacy of the high-flying, jet pack hero.

This aligns with recent comments from Disney CEO Bob Iger, who stated that the studio would begin focusing on theatrical releases in the wake of mounting losses tied to operating Disney+.

One such development was that Walt Disney Animation Studios would no longer develop original long-form content for Disney+. Additionally, several other shows in development, along with Return of the Rocketeer, were shelved.

Were you looking forward to this new take on the Rocketeer? Let us know in the comment section below.

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kirbyfan
kirbyfan - 5/12/2025, 3:02 PM
Absolutely NOT!
Bring the REAL ROCKETEER to the big screen. Understand fans want the EXACT CHARACTERS they grew up with, the EXACT SAME CHARACTERS they fell in love with! If you want to do something new, then create something new, but when it comes to the classic characters, that's what fans want,THE CLASSIC CHARACTERS!
MG0019
MG0019 - 5/12/2025, 5:22 PM
I really don't see the connection between Rocketeer & George Floyd. If anything, it seems like he intention behind the project was unfocused.

Just because you're a black creator doesn't mean you're making cultural impacts, or that you're being shut down by racists when the project doesn't pan out. Lots of creative projects don't see the light day, it's far more rare when they do.

My own opinion; it's also even more rare that a single person can be writer/director and star. That all sounds like major hubris to me. Most times projects with one major creative fall flat, or are convoluted bloated pieces. Even the great Spielberg has writers. Rian Johnson's Star Wars, Lucas' prequels, lots of other films with writer/directors just aren't good. It takes a team. Let alone a writer/director/star/producer. Seems like it was doomed from the start.
Tigreblanco21
Tigreblanco21 - 5/13/2025, 9:00 PM
Great
No one wanted someone new being the Rocketeer. We wanted to see Clif Secord, Betty and Peevy

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