Disney revives Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for 100th anniversary
In 2023, Walt Disney Company celebrates its centennial with various initiatives including the revival of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, a character created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927, predating Mickey Mouse. Oswald debuted in "Trolley Troubles" on September 5, 1927, produced by Universal Pictures, but rights were lost to Charles Mints, prompting Disney to create Mickey Mouse. Oswald cartoons continued until 1943 and comics into the 1960s. Disney reacquired Oswald's rights in 2006 in exchange for sportscaster Al Michaels moving from ABC and ESPN to NBC. Since then, Disney released two "Epic Mickey" video games featuring Oswald. For the centennial, Walt Disney Animation Studios produced a new hand-drawn short film starring Oswald, over a minute long, silent with piano score, showing Oswald at a cinema trying to reach his love Ortensia. The short was released on YouTube.
Key facts
- Walt Disney Company turns 100 in 2023.
- CEO Bob Chapek announced the centennial celebrations.
- Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1927.
- Oswald debuted in 'Trolley Troubles' on September 5, 1927, produced by Universal Pictures.
- Charles Mints took the rights to Oswald from Walt Disney.
- Disney reacquired Oswald's rights in 2006 in exchange for Al Michaels moving to NBC.
- A new hand-drawn short film starring Oswald was released by Walt Disney Animation Studios.
- The short is over a minute long, silent with a piano score.
Entities
Artists
- Walt Disney
- Ub Iwerks
- Charles Mints
- Bob Chapek
- Al Michaels
Institutions
- Walt Disney Company
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
- Universal Pictures
- ABC
- ESPN
- NBC