Raja Gosnell and James Gunn’s live-action SCOOBY-DOO with Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Linda Cardellini has become quite the classic over the years. True story. And today Gunn took to Twitter to confirm that he was set to write and direct SCOOBY-DOO 3.
But that never happened.
During a Q&A on Instagram, Gunn said:
I made a deal to write and direct [Scooby-Doo 3] back in 2004 but the second one, although it did well, didn't do well enough to warrant a third, so the movie was never made. That said it was because I apprenticed as a director on those films I was ready and able to take on Guardians when the time came.
SCOOBY-DOO 3, huh? Wait for it… And we would have gotten it too if it hadn't been for that meddling SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED movie. Curse you, SCOOBY-DOO 2: MONSTERS UNLEASHED. Not even my hyper-ass kids will watch you. I blame Alicia Silverstone. Not really.
SCOOBY-DOO (2002) began two years after a clash of egos forced Mystery Inc. to close its doors. The gang are summoned to Spooky Island to investigate a series of paranormal incidents at the ultra-hip Spring Break hot spot destination that owner Emile Mondavarious (Rowan Atkinson) claims is plagued with ghosts. Suspicious as usual of any claims involving the paranormal, the Mystery Inc. clan is soon probing a scheme involving ancient rites, summoned spirits, and brainwashed college students, forcing the group members to resolve their differences and uncover the truth.
SCOOBY-DOO (2002) was directed by Raja Gosnell from a screenplay written by James Gunn from a story by Gunn and Craig Titley based on characters by Joe Ruby and Ken Spears. Charles Roven and Richard Suckle produced. Warner Bros. Pictures released it back on June 14, 2002.