Yogi Bear Getting His Own Movie Someone tell Ranger Smith! Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Someone tell Ranger Smith* that Yogi Bear is up to something. Namely, he’s getting his own movie.
Yes, the lovable, conniving, talking bear created by Hanna-Barbera in the Sixties is going down the live-action/CG hybrid route, almost seven years after his stablemate, Scooby-Doo, paved the way.
We’re actually surprised that, given the success of both Scooby-Doo movies, that Warners – which owns the rights to Hanna-Barbera’s overstocked back catalogue – has been slow in further raiding it.
But Yogi, famous of course for his platonic relationship with his life partner, Boo Boo, his laconic voice and catchphrases (he’s smarter than the average bear, in case you hadn’t heard) and constant attempts to outwit Ranger Smith, custodian of Jellystone Park, is the first to get the movie star treatment.
Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia are writing the screenplay, with Ash Brannon set to direct. There’s no word yet on the story – but we’d imagine that Ranger Smith will be played by a genuine, real live human being. And that Yogi will be a lovable thorn in his side, and not a rampaging beast on the hunt for human flesh.
Empire has always had a soft spot for Yogi and Boo Boo (not to mention Mr. Ranger, that poor, put-upon bastard) so we’re looking forward to this. But what’s next – The Jetsons? Top Cat? Huckleberry Hound?
The possibilities are almost endless.
* We do want to make sure that people know that the Ranger Smith we're referring to is the fictional character from the Yogi Bear cartoon, and not the current manager of Glasgow Rangers FC, Mr. Walter Smith. Mr. Smith has achieved much in his life, but he doesn't run around trying to stop bears from stealing picnic baskets. Unless there's something Ally McCoist isn't telling us.
If, in an ideal world I can bring people back from the dead, I would bring back Phil Hartman. He would be have been perfect for Ranger Smith. ... Read More
As a huge Hanna Barbera fan, I am not 100% sure about this. I'd prefer it to be fully animated, maybe a feature length version of Yogi's Treasure Hunt. That way, we get loads of H-B characters including Top Cat and Dastardly and Muttley. Or Yogi's Gang, which came earlier and involved Yogi and his pals sorting out environmental and crime themed villains (including a dude called Mr. Bigot, guess what his crime was).
Wonder who will voice Yogi now that Daws Butler and Greg Burson are dead?
... Read More
Totally agree, but it'd have to be a trilogy, cause the whole greek allegory thing was epic and would take a long time to tell (probably wouldn't be cheap either if it were to be shot "live action") Having said that "Battle of the planets" which was made as GATCHAMAN in japan has been made into an all new c.g.i. movie to be released some time in 2010. looking forward to that. ... Read More
No way... Really? I would love to see a Top Cat film done properly (looking in the style of the Garfield movie maybe, except, you know... funny)
Top Cat was the original pimp ... Read More
or Boss Cat to us in the UK, was based on Sgt Bilko/Phil Silvers show, so technically a movie version has already been made.
Albeit very badly. ... Read More
It's about time Yogi gets the movie treatment. If they include the Family Guy skit where Peter (dressed as a mercenary) knifes Yogie in the back and tells Boo Boo to tell everyone what has just happened that'd be brilliant.
Totally agree with having a Wacky Races movie too. It's been mooted for years. You can't go wrong with the top dog Mutley. ... Read More
Speed Racer meets Death Race, full on gore, Pitstop's vibrator, Dastardly saying more than drat, if that doesn't happen then I guess Hollywood isn't as evil and scummy as once reckoned. ... Read More
