Velma’ Showrunner Explains Scooby-Doo’s Absence on New HBO Max Series: ‘That’s What Made it a Kid Show’

By vinayak Last updated Oct 11, 2022 0

The world of Scooby-Doo is about to make a comeback in a big way, but don’t expect Scooby-Doo to get involved. With Mindy Kaling voicing her character in the title, Velma, a new coming-of-age animated series, promises to please longtime fans of animated series who want to combine nostalgia with a more mature sense of humor.

There will be adult versions of the Mystery Machine crew, but no Scooby himself, as Velma will be the main character. Appearing on a panel for the show at New York Comic-Con, showrunner Charlie Grundy (via Insider) explained that the decision to omit Scooby-his-doo from the series was an attempt to ditch the show from a family-friendly property.

The Meddling Kids Will Be Solving Mysteries On Their Own In The Upcoming Mindy Kaling-Led Series

He inspired them. “When we got into the show and thought about adapting it, we wanted to show respect,” Grandy said. “We didn’t want to take these beloved characters and put them in rude or terrible situations and say, ‘Isn’t it weird that you did this to Velma?’ “

Velma: The Plot & Character Changes

A new animated series explores Velma’s origins and how she earned her reputation as the brains behind the Scooby-Doo gang.

According to Kaling on her Instagram post, “Velma struggles to overcome the pitfalls of high school, her budding sexuality, and a serial killer who seeks to murder every popular kid in town. ” When the first look of the anime series was released, there was a lot of controversy surrounding Velma’s race.

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Unlike before, she will be a South Asian Indian in the spin-off. On May 18, 2022, Mindy shared preview images of her Velma at her Warner Bros. Discovery Upfront presentation. In it, Velma is in her dressing room, staring at a body whose brain has been torn off and her head has been scalped. Aside from Velma’s skin color, she can be seen in her signature outfit.

Velma: The Cast & Crew

Nicole Jaffe originally voiced Velma in Scooby-Doo, and various actors have since lent their voices to the character, including Pat Stevens, Mindy Cohn, and Gina Rodriguez. , she was portrayed by Linda Cardellini, Hayley Kiyoko, and Sarah Gilman.And now, all-rounder Mindy Kaling lends her voice in the latest spinoff.

Why Mindy Kaling’s Velma Is Surrounded by Controversy

Velma has been making headlines lately for a variety of reasons. People cheered that the Scooby-Doo character from Trick or Treat was officially written as a lesbian! Fans have long imagined the character as such. I pointed out signs throughout that Velma was dismissing men too quickly and saw small hints that she may have fallen in love with a particular woman.

There was Velma, who was clearly gay until feedback from the producers slowly calmed her down and gave her a boyfriend. Mindy Kaling also drew criticism from viewers after first seeing her now-controversial HBO Max series.

She changed Velma from white to South Asian. In response to the racebending backlash, she was famously quoted as saying: “I wish you knew my Velma was South Asian.” I don’t care if people freak out about it.” And she quickly ended the discussion before it even started.

Of course, people on the internet never stop talking, but Kaling’s defense continues with her trailer for Velma, teasing criticism of Raceshift. Almost overnight, Velma seems to have become a fringe hero.