It’s been 20 years since Mystery, Inc. first appeared on the big screen in Raja Gosnell’s Scooby-Doo. Adapting the beloved animated franchise to live-action saw the biggest names in young Hollywood don the iconic costumes and utter those well-known catchphrases. Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini, and Matthew Lillard brought their star power and a biting sense of humor that might have turned off critics, but resonated in a big way with fans.
With countless remakes and reboots, it is easy to lose enthusiasm when hearing about a new reiteration of a cherished classic. However, if the movie is cast correctly, it could bring a refreshing and socially reflective take on the material. Hollywood’s come a long way since 2002 and a new adaptation of Scooby-Doo might be exciting to see.
Austin Butler as Fred Jones
Freddie Pinze Jr. was arguably one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 1990s, so it made perfect sense to cast him as the handsome leader of Mystery, Inc. Prinze was able to bring his charm and under-appreciated comedic timing to the part by making the character of Fred a lot more amusing than previously depicted in the franchise.
Austin Butler is currently busy wowing audiences and critics with his performance in Elvis. The golden-haired actor has become the new talk of Hollywood as he is already moved on to his next big project, Dune: Part II. Butler not only looks the part, but his suave stature and commanding presence make his casting a no-brainer. His work in movies like Aliens in the Attic and The Dead Don’t Die also shows that he can hold his own in a comedy.
Zendaya as Daphne Blake
Daphne Blake was unfortunately always assigned the role of damsel-of-distress in the original run of the animated series. Luckily, screenwriter James Gunn subverted that trope so star Sarah Michelle Geller could bring her Buffy The Vampire Slayer badass energy to the movie resulting in some pretty memorable fight sequences.
Many consider Zendaya as one of the 10 best Gen Z actors working today and rightfully so. The Emmy-winner has gone on to star in multiple blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man and Dune as well as the hit HBO show Euphoria. Zendaya’s versatility as an actor proves her to be the best choice for Daphne. The talented actor would be able to bring the laughs, the heart, and her trademark style to the role, creating an exciting update to the character. Her background as a dancer would also lend very well to the more physical action scenes.
Hannah Einbinder as Velma Dinkley
Linda Cardellini’s take on the character was a lot more dry and sarcastic, making this portrayal of the character both relatable and hilarious. In addition to looking a lot like the two-dimensional character, Cardellini was also able to perfectly encapsulate Dinkley’s trademark voice.
One of the most notable changes the film initially went through was cutting all references to Velma’s sexuality. According to CNN, screenwriter James Gunn stated that in the original draft, Velma was explicitly gay and the studio decided to cut all references to that storyline. Fortunately, 2022 sees a lot more open-minded views and audiences could absolutely see that Velma Dinkley storyline being included. Hannah Einbinder co-stars in the hit HBO series Hacks, which does an impeccable job highlighting the inherent charisma and wit the young actor/stand-up comedian possesses, and is one of the most likable characters in the show. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, her casting as Velma would be an inclusive and appropriate way to bring the character’s original direction to screen.
Tony Revolori as Shaggy Rogers
Shaggy Rogers is a character known for his big appetite and his even bigger fear of everything having to do with the paranormal. In the film, Matthew Lillard is superb in one of his best roles as the perpetual scaredy-cat, brilliantly mimicking the animated character’s recognizable voice and mannerisms. Lillard’s portrayal was so well received by fans, that he eventually went on to voice the character in future animated projects.
While it’s hard to emulate what Matthew Lillard did in 2002, it’s a perfect opportunity for a young actor to stretch the limits of his ability and craft a performance that’s all his own. The Grand Budapest Hotel breakout star, Tony Revolori, would be able to use his understated comedic strengths to bring a new version of Shaggy forward. The actor is no stranger to playing big for laughs as he does in the Spider-Man franchise as Flash Thompson and to see Revelori get to play around with archetypal characteristics of the character would be interesting to see.
Bill Hader as Scooby Doo (Voice)
Voiceover actors Don Messick, Scott Innes, and Frank Welker have done in flawless job voicing the beloved canine over the years. However, for the 2002 movie, the film cast stuntman Neil Fanning to voice the role. Fanning was able to make an indelible impression as Scooby, bringing a child-like innocence to his delivery and ultimately contributing to the character’s lasting popularity.
Bill Hader is a man of many talents and voices. As a lead cast member on SNL for 8 years, many have seen just how talented and diverse an actor he is. Not only is he a comedy genius, but his performance in HBO’s Barry shows how well the actor can convey more touching moments. It would be intriguing to see what Hader could bring to the role of Scooby-Doo and hear what his take on the iconic Mystery, Inc. mascot would sound like.
Sydney Sweeney as Mary Jane
The role of Mary Jane is not featured heavily in the movie, however, her character does play an important part in the conflict between Shaggy and Scooby. This was one of Isla Fisher’s first roles and it’s fun to see where the talented comedienne got her start.
The bubbly and sweet demeanor of Mary Jane would be a great fit for Sidney Sweeney, who brings that dreamlike quality to her role as Cassie on Euphoria, many consider Sydney Sweeney’s performance the best on the show. Although the characters are vastly different, there’s an element of inherent sweetness that is prevalent in both Cassie and Mary Jane. It would also be great to see Sweeney transition into more film work and flex her acting chops on the big screen.
Taika Waititi as Mondavarious / Scrappy-Doo (Voice)
Rowan Atkinson was a wonderful addition to the cast of Scooby-Doo as the proprietor of Spooky Island, Emile Mondavarious. Although it is revealed that he is nothing more than a robot being controlled by the shunned member of Mystery, Inc., Scrappy-Doo, Atkinson is still able to shine during his few moments on screen.
Taika Waititi is an undeniable comedy genius. Not only a gifted writer and director, but Waititi has also proven himself to be a very talented actor as well with films like Jojo Rabbit and What We Do in the Shadows. His deadpan delivery and manic mannerisms make him an absolutely entertaining sight to see and it would be great to witness the actor play it straight as Mondavarious before letting loose with a deliciously absurd take on the Scrappy-Doo voice.
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