As we first reported on Toonado.com, production has officially begun on Scooby-Doo: Origins, Netflix's upcoming live-action reboot of the beloved Hanna-Barbera cartoon. The streaming series is a modern reimagining of the beloved group of teens and their iconic dog, "exploring the terrifying first case that brings Mystery Inc. together for good."
There's also a first look at the series, featuring a fun glimpse of Maxwell Jenkins (Lost in Space) as Fred Jones, Mckenna Grace (Scream 7) as Daphne Blake, Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant-Man) as Velma Dinkley, and Tanner Hagen (The Pitt) as Shaggy Rogers.
There's no sign of Scooby-Doo, but we do see his paw print.
According to Netflix, in Scooby-Doo: Origins, showrunners Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg (and their production company, Midnight Radio) "are going back to the beginning, and the terrifying case that started it all." It's also been confirmed today that Paul Walter Hauser has joined the cast in a currently undisclosed role.
"During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely, lost Great Dane puppy who may have been a witness to a supernatural murder," reads the official synopsis for the show.
"Alongside the pragmatic and scientific townie Velma and the strange but ever-so-handsome new kid Freddy, they set out to solve the case that’s pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets."
Scooby-Doo: Origins will be executive produced by Rosenberg and Appelbaum, as well as Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman (via Berlanti Productions), and André Nemec, Jeff Pinkner, and Adrienne Erickson (via Midnight Radio). Toby Haynes will also serve as an executive producer and direct the premiere episode.
"One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cels," Berlanti said today. "Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation."
There's a chance that we'll start seeing set photos for the series soon (that's often why shots like these are released when production starts), but with Scooby-Doo expected to be a CG character, we'll be waiting a while before seeing him in action.
Check out this first look at Scooby-Doo: Origins in the Instagram post below, and stay tuned for updates on the series as we have them.