Why weren't ther any sequels to Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

[ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness]

I don’t know if this was covered in the Wikipedia link seeing as Wikipedia has gone black for the day, but the reason for no sequel being made was that Steven Spielberg and Michael Eisner got into a pissing match.

From this article:

That’s when Eisner proposed that Disney and Amblin produce “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” together. Disney would lend its animation expertise to the project. Steven would bring in his buddy, George Lucas and his wizards at ILM to handle the film’s special effects. More importantly, Spielberg could use his considerable clout to persuade the other Hollywood studios to allow the Mouse to use their classic cartoon characters in “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”

Steven was willing to take Uncle Mikey up on his offer – with one condition: Disney and Amblin had to share the copyright on any characters that were created for the film. That meant that the two companies would split everything right down the middle. 50 / 50. That included merchandising revenues, sequel and spin-off rights, any theme park projects, basically the whole ball of wax.

Eisner was so desperate to get his event film made that he quickly agreed to Spielberg’s terms. That may have been the last time Michael and Steven agreed on anything relating to "Roger Rabbit.

(bolding mine)

The article details the pissing match in more detail, but the fact that any sequel needs approval from both sides is what held up the sequel until the point that people wondered if it was really worth making am expensive sequel to a movie that’s over 20 years old. (For the record, Disney merely broke even on the 2010’s Tron sequel).

Oh, and a comment on the spoilers earlier in the thread.. it was my recollection that in the book

Jessica was a toon porn star, not a prostitute, but I read it over 24 years ago, so I could be mistaken.

[TBG]

@Snowboarder_Bo

I missed WFRR? when it was in the theatre, but bought a DVD copy when they were released. It’s a pretty bad movie, IMO.

IMDB does have a listing for a sequel in development, tho.

@An_Gadai

So what you’re telling me is that WFRR? isn’t entirely historically accurate?

Very minor nitpick for you two. WFRR not WFRR? as there is no question mark in the title of the movie.

[Chronos]

OK, I have to ask. In the original version, would Jessica’s, ahem, clients, have been humans or toons?

[Rhythmdvl]

@ChockFullOfHeadyGoodness

I read it over 24 years ago, so I could be mistaken.

Good catch. That’s why I put the caveat in there–faulty memory somewhere.

[miss_elizabeth]

@Chronos

OK, I have to ask. In the original version, would Jessica’s, ahem, clients, have been humans or toons?

I hadn’t thought of this, but now I too must know the answer.

[dropzone]

@Gagundathar

I thought the reason was because Jessica Rabbit was so devastatingly beautiful that no further films needed to be made.

I mean come y’all, “I not naughty, I’m just drawn this way” is not something you will ever forget (for your value of heterosexuality and masculinity).

Absolutely. And, even after the weight gain (she hasn’t been well), if turned on him that voice would make even Sampiro melt into a pool of hetero lust with only his bugged-out eyes vertical, Tex Avery style.

A gay friend, while explaining his one hetero encounter, said, “Well, if the other person starts playing with it…” Say no more, say no more. We know how that works.

That was 25 years ago and he was already showing signs. He’s long dead.

[Patch]

I’ve not read Who Censored Roger Rabbit? in years, so I’m going a bit off memory backed up by flipping through the book

Jessica was a highly attractive model who worked in advertising, not a prostitute. She was a bit of a bitch and had the beauty to wrap men around her little finger if she chose. Though she was a toon, her looks were good enough that she could pass for human if she tried. During the story, Eddie Valiant found a racy adult comic Lewd, Crude, and in the Mood, produced by Sid Sleaze. Jessica claimed she was blackmailed into doing the comic at the start of her career, and nothing is provided that indicates it’s not the truth. The only people she slept with in the book were Rocco DeGreasy (a toon turned into a human) and Roger Rabbit, but it was never mentioned as such - they were just in relationships.

From Eddie’s reaction to her, I suspect a male human would gladly sleep with her.

Great book.