Quinta Brunson will take the lead in a theatrical adaptation of the classic American cartoon character Betty Boop.
On Wednesday (May 20), Variety reported that the Abbott Elementary creator and star will develop and play Betty Boop in a feature film. The project will be in collaboration with Mark Fleischer, the grandson of the character’s creator, Max Freischer. Boop was given design contributions by late cartoonist Grim Natwick.
The film will look into the creation and evolution of the 1930s character through the perspective of Max Freischer, as Boop takes on a life of her own. Brunson’s company, Fifth Chance Productions will work in collaboration with Fleischer Studios on the Betty Boop movie adaptation.
The film will mark Boop’s first theatrical appearance in decades following her debut in Freischer’s Talkartoons show. The character is considered among the earliest animated independent female mavens of the 20th century.
“Betty Boop is one of our nation’s most beloved cartoon characters, yet somehow still remains pleasantly niche,” Brunson stated.
“She has had a quiet but undeniable impact on culture for nearly a century,” she continued. “After Erin and I met with Mark and learned more about his grandfather’s creation of Betty, I realized there was a much deeper story to tell. One that could be explored in a way that feels refreshing, subversive, and timeless, much like Betty herself.”
Max Freischer added that Brunson approached him with the movie’s concept, which he was “breathtaken” by. “Quinta so embodies Betty’s love of life, intelligence, humor, sassiness and compassion that the relationship between her as Betty and Max burst into life at its mere mention,” he explained.
While Brunson is well-known for Abbott Elementary, which has been renewed for a 6th season, the actress and producer is growing her film credits, previously starring in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story and Zootopia 2. She’ll next be a voice actress in The Cat in the Hat, set to release in November.
