Disney’s Revival Of 35-Year-Old Sci-Fi Cult Classic Gets New Update After Director Exit

Published Oct 30, 2026, 8:38 PM EDT

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Disney's long-awaited revival of The Rocketeer has received a new update after years of setbacks.

Based on Dave Stevens' comic book character, the 1991 movie The Rocketeer starred Billy Campbell as Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers an experimental jetpack and becomes a masked hero. Directed by Joe Johnston, the sci-fi adventure also featured Labyrinth star Jennifer Connelly and former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton. Although the movie struggled at the box office, earning approximately $46 million worldwide, it eventually developed a cult following and has since been recognized as one of Disney's forgotten movies worth remembering. Disney has made several attempts to revive the franchise, including a planned sequel titled The Return of the Rocketeer, with David Oyelowo attached.

In a new interview with The Playlist, Oyelowo shared a hopeful update about the long-delayed sequel, suggesting that it could still happen despite its troubled development. The actor compared the project to his experience bringing Lawmen: Bass Reeves to television, saying,

"You just never you never know. You sort of put things out there in terms of what you hope to do. And you know I'm a big believer and I've been a beneficiary of this you know like Bass Reeves was something I tried to make for 10 years and even though it took 10 years it came to fruition in the end. So you just never know."

While Oyelowo didn't confirm whether the sequel is moving forward, his comments suggest that he hasn't given up on the possibility. After all, the actor spent 10 years trying to bring Lawmen: Bass Reeves to the screen, showing that a lengthy development process doesn't necessarily mean a project will never happen.

Disney first announced The Return of the Rocketeer in 2021, with Oyelowo attached to produce and potentially star. Rather than bringing back Campbell's Cliff Secord, the sequel would introduce a former Tuskegee Airman who takes up the Rocketeer mantle.

Rearrange the movies into the correct US release order.

However, the movie hasn't had the smoothest journey. Director J.D. Dillard exited the project in 2022, and although Eugene Ashe was later brought on to write the screenplay, the sequel has yet to make it into production. Oyelowo previously shared a promising update in 2023, revealing that work on the script was still underway.

This also isn't Disney's first attempt at revisiting the 1991 classic. In 2016, the studio began developing The Rocketeers, another planned sequel centered on a new pilot. That version never moved forward, although Disney eventually introduced a younger generation to the franchise through its 2019 animated series.

Unfortunately, time may be running out for Disney to revisit the character without another agreement. The studio could lose the rights to The Rocketeer as early as 2028. According to Boardwalk Times, the Rocketeer Trust has filed a notice to reclaim the property's copyrights, with the termination scheduled to take effect in June 2028. If the rights return to the trust, Disney would need to negotiate a new deal before producing another installment.

Although Disney's potential loss of the rights could complicate another revival, Oyelowo's comments suggest that a sequel to The Rocketeer still has a chance. For now, the long-awaited project remains without a confirmed production schedule or release date.

The Rocketeer

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  Billy Campbell

  Cliff Secord

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  Jenny Blake

A down-on-his-luck stunt pilot named Cliff Secord stumbles on a secret rocket pack stolen from Howard Hughes. With the help of his mechanic Peevy and his actress girlfriend Jenny, Cliff becomes a masked aerial hero pursued by gangsters, Nazis, and the FBI.