For those of a certain age, the cheeky Disney Chipmunks Chip & Dale are synonymous with the cartoon series Chip ‘n' Dale: Rescue Rangers. The Mouse House is now hoping to mine that particular vein of nostalgia with a film version of Chip 'n' Dale that will blend CG versions of the characters with live-action environments.
Ads director Robert Rugan has pitched an updated version of the concept, one that would serve as a sort of origin story for the pair’s detective agency, which specialises in helping fellow animals. No, we don’t blame you if horrified – or po ssiblydelighted – visions of the Alvin And The Chipmunks movies are running through your head as we relate this news. Those films have, for all their patchy quality, proved to be big hits, so we can see Disney’s reasoning.
It’s also a chance to capitalise on characters who have been around since 1943 and who spent time annoying either Pluto or Donald Duck. Still, their 1990s re-invention as adventure-hunting sleuths is what’s really fuelling this proposed return to our screens. All together now: "Ch-ch-ch-Chip 'N Dale, Rescue Rangeeers..."