Has Jon Favreau Revived the Magic Kingdom — In the Form of a Lucky Rabbit?

Image from The Walt Disney Company

“Your name and likeness are on all this junk.”

Common society would probably label Swifties as the most delusional participants in the world of pop culture. Even now, as the Toy Story 5 press cycle gets underway, Swifties are convinced that the similarities between potential new Taylor music and the fifth installment of Pixar’s flagship saga do not end with the initials, T.S. However, as a Swiftie myself, I have long since accepted that her methods will forever be unknowable. The music will come when it comes.

What I do remain delusional about, however, is that Jon Favreau is still going to find some way forward with his “Magic Kingdom” film project (in short, think Night at the Museum at Disney World) that was announced in 2010 and scuttled at some point without my knowing, thank you very much. I’ve written about this before, as I tend to get my hopes up about it every now and then. Sure, the project was announced more than half of my life ago, but I don’t label myself as delusional because I think about this thing logically. Until the day I die, there will always be a shred of me that hopes cameras will one day roll on this long-gestating (if you count “nothing” as gestating) endeavor.

However, some rational thought has been imbued with the latest development (or non-development depending on how cynical you are). It’s not quite that I believe Jon Favreau has resurrected the project. Rather, I have hope that it has taken on a different form.

Currently, Favreau is in full Mando mode, as Star Wars: The Mandalorian v. Groglet (his first directorial feature since 2019’s ill-advised Lion King remake) continues to dazzle tens of multiplexes. But just recently, he was also engaged in some fun-filled lensing on a forthcoming Disney Plooos project that takes Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Walt’s original Mickey who was stolen by Ub Iwerks and then returned in exchange for Al Michaels) and transplants him into the real world. One of those settings of the real world? Disneyland itself. Just check out one of the set photos.

Image from Reddit

This is definitive, incontrovertible proof that, at the very least, Jon Favreau still knows Disney theme parks exist. I mean, he had to have thought about his shelved 2010 project at some point during his time in the park, right? It couldn’t not be on his mind. It’s on my mind every day!

Look, I don’t believe that a live-action/animated hybrid adventure-comedy series on streaming is going to be the same thing as “Night at the Museum in Disneyland,” but I do believe there’s some hope in the idea that characters are going to come to life in Disneyland in some capacity. Jon Favreau is directing scenes of a Disney character interacting with a real theme park. That happened. It’s true! It’s right up there! Look at him. Walking around Main Street and such. This is the closest we’ve ever gotten, quite honestly. The only update that ever happened after 2010 was that Pixar would maybe be involved in 2013. And then silence.

So, maybe the Ronald D. Moore series isn’t happening. Maybe they’re not announcing Magic Kingdom at the D23 Expo. But Jon Favreau is directing scenes for a series set in Disneyland. (Not to mention, a Hallmark Christmas movie this winter also filmed at the Magic Kingdom.) At the very least, folks, there’s hope. It’s the best I can ask for!