Oswald the Lucky Rabbit stars in a new animated short

Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks’ animated creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, not only wears shorts, he is now starring in his own animated short for the first time in 94 years.

In celebration of Disney 100 Years of Wonder, Oswald has “teamed up” with Walt Disney Animation Studios in a brand-new, hand-drawn short, “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit,” directed by animator Eric Goldberg, who also worked on the animated television series, “How To Stay At Home (Starring Goofy)” and Walt Disney Pictures’ animated movies, “Pocahontas” and “Fantasia 2000.”

“Oswald is such a plucky scamp,” Goldberg said. “We wanted to bring Oswald back, and in the short, he literally returns to his original home, the movie screen. We wanted to have Oswald do all of the ‘squash-and-stretch,’ ‘rubber hose’-animation style, celebrating that first generation of Walt Disney’s artists.”

In 1927, Walt Disney and animator Ub Iwerks brought “Trolley Troubles” staring Oswald to movie-goers, subsequently creating 26 short films featuring the “lucky rabbit.” Control of the character was taken from Walt in late 1928, then returned in 2006 when Disney CEO Bob Iger penned a deal with NBC/Universal.

Now, Oswald is a big fan-favorite, starring in video games and an animated short, as well as having a presence in Disney theme parks and his likeness on Disney merchandise.

He has even taken to social media. A special Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Snapchat lens launched today, December 1, 2022.

“On the eve of Disney’s 100th anniversary, it was such a joy to create the first new Oswald short from our studio since 1928,” said Dorothy McKim, producer of the “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” short. “Our hand-drawn animation team, including our hand-drawn legends Mark Henn, Randy Haycock, and Eric Goldberg, as well our wonderful team of 2D apprentices, had a ball animating in the style of Oswald’s era.”

View the new “Oswald the Lucky Rabbit” short here.