Draft:The Return of the Rocketeer

The Return of the Rocketeer is an upcoming superhero film based on then the comic book character created by Dave Stevens, and a reboot of the 1991 film, The Rocketeer. Written by Ed Ricourt, the film is expected to be released on Disney+.

Production
While developing The Rocketeer (1991), screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, as well as The Rocketeer's creator Dave Stevens, saw the film as the first entry in a trilogy, while Disney hoped the film to start on a franchise in a similar vein to the Indiana Jones franchise. Star Billy Campbell was set to reprise his role as Cliff Secord in two sequels, while Jennifer Conelly was set to reprise her role as Jenny Blake in one sequel. However, plans for any sequel were halted after the film became a financial disappointemnt and, according to Stevens, tense relationships between director Joe Johnston and Disney.

On August 3, 2012, it was reported that a remake of The Rocketeer was in development at Disney. On October 20, 2012, James Wan expressed interest on directing the remake. However, the remake was ultimately unproduced. On July 28, 2016, it was announced that a "reboot sequel" of The Rocketeer was being developed by Disney, which would be headlined by a black female character and will be set in during the Cold War. The film, titled The Rocketeers would be written by Max Winkler and Matt Spicer, while Brigham Taylor would produce the film along with Blake Griffin of Los Angeles Clippers and Ryan Kalil of Carolina Panthers. Peter Ramsey expressed interest on directing the film, though he also recommended other directors such as Gina Prince-Bythewood, Darnell Martin and Amma Asante for the film. On April 6, 2016, Taylor confirmed that the film will be a sequel. On February 8, 2020, Azia Squire was revealed to have written a new draft for the film, while J. D. Dillard expressed interest in directing the film. It was announced to be in development for Disney+.

It was announced in August 2021 that Disney+ had restarted development of a rebooted film based on the character, titled, The Return of the Rocketeer. Ed Ricourt was hired to write the screenplay while husband and wife duo David and Jessica Oyelowo were set as producers alongside Taylor as part of a producing deal between their company, Yoruba Saxon, and Disney. David is also being considered to star in the title role. The story would see the mantle of the Rocketeer be taken up by a retired Tuskegee Airman. In November 2022, Dillard announced he was no longer involved in the project.

In October 2023, Eugene Ashe was hired to write the screenplay.