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Over on the Disney Parks Blog, Steven Miller announced that
Mickey Mouse’s predecessor will have a much broader presence in the parks,
particularly in merchandise, in the coming months. I am, of course, speaking of
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.
Oswald was whisked out from under Walt Disney in 1928 by
Charles Mintz. Unfazed, Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks set about creating a new
character, Mickey Mouse. Oswald would finally return home to Disney and his new
friends in 2006, when Bob Iger brokered a deal with NBC-Universal, chief
amongst the assets that switched hands were Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and
sportscaster Al Michaels. Oswald played a prominent role, if not a playable one,
in the 2010 Wii release, Epic Mickey. In 2012, Oswald will not only appear in
Epic Mickey 2, but he will also be controllable by Player 2.
It is high time that Oswald be given more respect in the
theme parks of Walt Disney World, as well as the other ports of call around the
globe. Merchandising and a few nods, such as on a note from Jason (that’d be
Jason Grandt folks) in the new Town Square Theater, are grand, but Oswald
deserves more. A place to call home in Toontown would have been nice, but alas
there is no more Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom. Maybe a place amongst the
stars of yesteryear at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Or perhaps a float in the
various parades of Walt Disney World. At the very least, a place for guests
(read: people who love the little details and old-timey portions of Disney
entertainment) to meet and take a picture with Oswald seems the least Walt
Disney World could do for Oswald.
In Epic Mickey, Oswald feels very much like the cast-off,
red-headed stepchild of the Disney family, and I can understand the sentiment.
It is time for Oswald to shine and be given his day in the sun, and all corners
of the magical places that Disney has built should acknowledge and show their
love for this lucky rabbit!
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2 comments:
Hooray! They really need to play up the "return of the lost character" angle; once people know about that, they really tend to embrace him! His part in Epic Mickey was heartbreaking -- absolutely the best thing about the good-but-flawed game. Looking forward to part 2.
Out West, I hope this means a walk-around character hanging out at Oswald's Service Station at DCA!
The fact that Disney finally got Oswald back by trading Al Michaels is so wonderfully funny; it's like something you'd read in a Douglas Adams novel! :)
That's great news! I love Oswald and I'm glad he's getting some more attention. Last May when I was in Disney World, I saw Oswald T-shirts in a Hollywood studios gift shop.
On a side note, I'm really looking forward to Epic Mickey 2. The first game is great so far.
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