A Classic Character Returns for Disney 100 Years of Wonder
More than 94 years after his last official Disney cartoon, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is back with a brand-new hand-drawn animated short. Created by the Walt Disney Animation Studios, the short marks a major milestone in Disney history and celebrates the launch of Disney 100 Years of Wonder.
Directed by legendary animator Eric Goldberg and produced by Dorothy McKim, the new short is titled Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Goldberg, known for his work on characters like the Genie in Aladdin, brings Oswald to life once again. He fully embraces the vintage “rubber hose” animation style that defined the early days of Walt Disney’s studio.
“We wanted to have Oswald do all of the squash-and-stretch, rubber hose-style animation, celebrating that first generation of Walt Disney’s artists,” Goldberg said.
This return brings together both veteran animators and new 2D apprentices. Disney legends like Mark Henn and Randy Haycock joined the project. According to McKim, creating a new Oswald short in time for the company’s centennial was a dream project for the entire team.
The Legacy of Oswald
Oswald was Walt Disney’s first breakout animated character. He made his debut in the 1927 short Trolley Troubles and quickly became a popular figure. Between 1927 and 1928, Disney produced 26 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoons. In 1928, Walt lost creative control over the character. That setback ultimately led to the creation of Mickey Mouse.
In 2006, then-CEO Bob Iger struck a historic deal with NBCUniversal to bring Oswald back to the Disney family. The trade involved sportscaster Al Michaels in exchange for the rights to the character. Since then, Oswald has made a return in various forms—through video games, merchandise, and theme park appearances. Now, he finally stars in a new animated short.
Oswald for a New Generation
To accompany the new cartoon, Disney also introduced an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Snapchat lens. This new feature allows fans worldwide to interact with the character using augmented reality.
This latest short, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, celebrates the roots of animation. It brings Walt’s original star back to the spotlight just in time for Disney’s historic anniversary.
Stay tuned to Disney Parks Blog and Sam’s Disney Diary for more updates as Disney’s 100 Years of Wonder continues to unfold.
