Akiva Schaffer Directing The Rescue Rangers Movie

Akiva Schaffer, Chip And Dale

by James White |
Published on

Disney has been looking to make a live-action/CG blend film based on its Chip 'N' Dale: Rescue Rangers animated series for nearly half a decade now. After a long time spent in development, it's moving forward with a new director as Lonely Island veteran and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping's Akiva Schaffer is on board.

Chipmunks Chip ‘n Dale have been tormenting various Disney characters since 1943 but got a makeover in 1989 with Rescue Rangers. The show saw Chip, the brains behind the pair, and Dale, the goofball, running a detective agency and helping animal clients. Disney made three seasons' worth of shows that then ran in syndication for the next decade on The Disney Channel and around the world. The opening theme will spark nostalgic memories in those of a certain age (and young 'uns who are discovering the show).

Dan Gregor and Doug Mand have written a script that is being kept quiet plot-wise, but is described as "meta" and "self-referential". We're mostly just hoping for something more tolerable than the Alvin And The Chipmunks movies. The Mouse House has yet to announce where this one might end up, whether in cinemas or on its Disney+ streaming service.

Schaffer has worked with Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone as part of the Lonely Island team for years, directing the likes of The Watch and Hot Rod. He's more recently found success with shows such as I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson and PEN15.

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