THE ROCKETEER followed a young pilot in the 1930s who stumbled onto a prototype jetpack that allowed him to become a high flying masked hero. While a box-office disappointment when initially released, the film has garnered a hell of a following since, prompting Disney to rethink the franchise. As is popular these days, it looks like a type of sequel/reboot is in the works – a film that will both follow the story of the original and pave the way for new heroes.
The synopsis according to The Hollywood Reporter:
Set six years after the original Rocketeer and after Secord has vanished while fighting the Nazis, an unlikely new hero emerges: a young African–American female pilot, who takes up the mantle of Rocketeer in an attempt to stop an ambitious and corrupt rocket scientist from stealing jet-pack technology in what could prove to be a turning point in the Cold War.
The script, entitled THE ROCKETEERS, is being written by Max Winkler and Matt Spicer (MAGIC CAMP, THE ADVENTURER’S HANDBOOK). As of now, no director has been chosen, but with the film being produced by THE JUNGLE BOOK’s Brigham Taylor, I’d imagine that Jon Favreau would be at the very top of that list. This should be a fun property to re-ignite (if it actually sells this time) although I’ll miss having another wonderful score by James Horner.