New Doctor Dolittle Movie Gets Exciting Release Date Update

A fresh take on the famous animal-talking doctor is officially on the way. A new animated film based on the classic Doctor Dolittle stories has entered production, with studios behind several major family movies teaming up for the project. The film is also getting a broader franchise push that could expand far beyond theaters in the coming years.

Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild gets major update

According to Variety, production has officially started on Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild. The animated feature comes from Sycamore Studios and Reel FX Animation Studios. The film follows Doctor Dolittle after a livestreamed expedition goes wrong and accidentally puts a creature into the poachers’ grasp. To fix the disaster and restore his reputation, Dolittle must reunite with three former zoo allies for a rescue mission tied to the survival of the animal kingdom.

Director Timothy Reckart said the character remains beloved because he acts as a bridge between humans and animals. He described the movie as an adventure packed with “thrills, humor, and heart.”

The screenplay comes from Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen, the writers behind the PAW Patrol films. Sycamore also plans to expand the property into graphic novels, games, and theme-park-style attractions connected to zoos and family entertainment venues.

The Doctor Dolittle franchise has gone through several versions over the years. Eddie Murphy led the popular 1998 comedy Doctor Dolittle, which earned a 44% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes but became a box-office hit and launched multiple sequels.

Later, Robert Downey Jr. starred in Dolittle, which struggled critically and currently holds a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite mixed reactions to past movies, the character has remained popular with younger audiences and families for decades.

Reel FX, the animation partner on the new project, previously worked on films including The Book of Life, Back to the Outback, and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. No official release date has been announced yet.

Source: Comingsoon.net