Why Disney Won’t Make a ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ Sequel

Fans of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? have been clamoring for a sequel for years, but according to director Robert Zemeckis, that’s likely not in the cards.

In a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Zemeckis explained why Disney won’t bring back the iconic blend of live-action and animation, despite there being a ready-to-go script. The main reason? The modern-day Disney wouldn’t take on a character like Jessica Rabbit.

“Here’s what you have to know: The current Disney would never make Roger Rabbit today,” Zemeckis stated. “They can’t make a movie with Jessica in it.” He points to the fact that Jessica Rabbit’s look and role have become increasingly controversial in today’s Disney landscape. A few years back, Disneyland even changed her character in the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin ride, shifting her from the classic damsel-in-distress role to a detective persona, all while covering her up in a trench coat.

The timing and environment that allowed Who Framed Roger Rabbit? to be made in 1988 no longer exist, according to Zemeckis. The movie came together during a unique period when Disney was in a state of transformation, with then-new CEO Michael Eisner greenlighting ambitious projects and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment collaborating on production. It was, as Zemeckis described, a right-place, right-time situation that couldn’t be replicated today.

“We were there when a new regime came in, and they were full of energy,” Zemeckis recalled. “I am making Roger Rabbit the way I believe Walt Disney would’ve made it. Walt never made his movies specifically for children; he made them for adults.”

He described how they tested the movie with both kids and parents, realizing that even young viewers could understand and appreciate its complexity. Zemeckis believed in treating young audiences as intelligent individuals—a philosophy he shared with Walt Disney.

Beyond character considerations, the logistics of making a sequel are daunting. Zemeckis hinted that cost could also be a deciding factor. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was groundbreaking at the time and required extensive collaboration, animation, and resources that would be even more expensive today. Disney is now focused on creating films with a high return on investment, and an ambitious project like Roger Rabbit doesn’t fit that mold. Even if the sequel script is “perfect,” as Zemeckis puts it, the financial and creative environment just isn’t there.

While fans may be disappointed, it’s clear that the elements that made Who Framed Roger Rabbit? such a standout can’t be replicated today. It was a once-in-a-lifetime project with a unique combination of storytelling, characters, and artistic risk-taking—something Disney, as it exists now, is unlikely to embrace.