The famous animal doctor is back, and this time he is going fully animated. Sycamore Studios and Reel FX Animation have officially started production on Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild, a fresh family adventure aimed at wiping the slate clean after the 2020 live action flop. Industry insiders say the film carries a release window that fans will not want to miss.

Production Officially Kicks Off on a Family Adventure

The announcement landed earlier this week, confirming a long anticipated revival of the beloved character. Sycamore Studios has begun production on Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild, a new animated feature based on the famed literary property created by Hugh Lofting, in partnership with Reel FX Animation Studios and directed by Academy Award nominated filmmaker Timothy Reckart.

This is no small swing for the young company. Doctor Dolittle: King of the Wild marks the first feature release from Sycamore Studios, which launched in 2024 with a focus on animated films and family franchises.

The feature is currently slated for delivery in the third quarter of 2027.

doctor dolittle king of the wild animated movie poster

The Story: A Livestream Gone Very Wrong

The hook of the new film feels ripped from a modern headline. Doctor Dolittle is a world famous zoologist who must clear his name after a live streamed expedition accidentally delivers a legendary creature into the hands of poachers. With the world turning against him, Dolittle reunites with three estranged zoo friends for a rescue mission that could save the animal kingdom.

It is a smart twist for the streaming age. The story trades the dusty Victorian setting of older versions for a world where viral fame can turn on a hero in seconds.

“Doctor Dolittle’s ability to speak to animals has made him every generation’s favorite ambassador between the human and animal worlds.” Timothy Reckart, Director

The Creative Team Behind the Vision

The talent list reads like a who’s who of recent family animation hits.

• Director: Timothy Reckart, who has worked on projects like the Oscar nominated stop motion short Head Over Heels and the animated film The Star.
• Writers: Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen, whose previous credits include PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
• Producers: Christian McGuigan, Cooper Waterman, and Saxton Washburn.
• Animation House: Reel FX Animation Studios, known for SCOOB! and The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

Brunker brings deep roots in the genre. As a story artist, he was responsible for visualizing and staging sequences in the animated films Horton Hears a Who, Despicable Me, Ice Age 4 and Minions.

Reckart, meanwhile, has serious awards pedigree. Sony Pictures Animation released his debut feature film, The Star, an animated retelling of the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals. The Star was nominated for a Golden Globe for Mariah Carey’s original song.

Big Franchise Plans Beyond the Movie Screen

Sycamore is not treating this as a one and done project. The studio wants Doctor Dolittle to live everywhere kids spend their time.

In addition to the feature, the company is developing a broader franchise strategy around the property that includes graphic novels, gaming, and location based entertainment partnerships spanning zoos, theme parks, and family attractions.

The slate keeps growing too. Sycamore Studios’ slate also includes an animated adaptation of Madeline and Zita the Spacegirl, written by Ken Daurio and executive produced by Jeremy Latcham.

Reel FX leadership says the timing feels right. Chief Creative Officer Augusto Schillacci added that Sycamore has assembled an ambitious creative vision for the property, and the artists are energized by the opportunity to help craft a richly cinematic world audiences everywhere can enjoy.

Why This Reboot Has Something to Prove

Doctor Dolittle has a rough box office history that the new team cannot ignore. The 2020 attempt with Robert Downey Jr. is still fresh in fans’ minds, and not in a good way.

Universal attempted to reboot Doctor Dolittle in early 2020 with stars Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, and Jessie Buckley. However, Dolittle failed to light up the box office with a total haul of $251 million and a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score, the lowest rating from critics in the entire franchise. Dolittle ended up winning a Razzie for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip off or Sequel.

Sycamore’s leadership is leaning into a different tone. Sycamore’s Head of Production, Cooper Waterman, stated that Doctor Dolittle is one of the great family characters of all time, and that the world is ready for a fresh, cinematic reintroduction to his imagination, humor, and heart. From day one, the ambition has been to build a film that honors the legacy of the property while creating something visually compelling and emotionally resonant for today’s global audience.

The new animated approach could finally give the character a clean win on the big screen. Animation lets the talking animals feel natural in a way live action has always struggled with. It also gives families something they have been hungry for, a wholesome adventure built around real heart.

After more than a century since Hugh Lofting first put pen to paper in 1920, Doctor Dolittle is once again ready to whisper to the wild. The story of a man who listens to creatures most people ignore feels strangely needed right now. If Sycamore and Reel FX deliver on their promise, an entirely new generation of kids might grow up dreaming of conversations with the animal kingdom. What do you think about the animated reboot? Drop your thoughts in the comments and share this story with the family member who still quotes the Eddie Murphy version.