Scooby-Doo is one of the most iconic animated series, beloved by audiences around the globe. The Mystery Inc. team, consisting of four friends, has long been associated with investigating mysterious occurrences, often facing off against supernatural entities to uncover the truth, providing viewers with a mix of thrills and emotions. However, recent events have led to significant controversy surrounding the film, stemming from a new release from Warner Bros. and Hanna-Barbera.
Released on January 12, Velma has become a focal point of controversy among viewers, but not in a favorable way. As predicted, Velma has been met with severe criticism, receiving negative reviews consistently. On IMDb, the film started with a score of 1.7/10 and has since plummeted to 1.3, making it one of the lowest-rated animated films in history.
Velma is a spin-off film focusing on the character’s complex background within the iconic Scooby-Doo series. However, this time, Velma and the other members of the team undergo noticeable changes in their appearances. Velma and Shaggy have become the most controversial characters after being “reimagined,” altering their iconic looks from the original series.
In addition to the visual changes, Velma’s LGBTQ+ storyline and the introduction of a new character named Coco in the Scooby-Doo series before the release has sparked significant debate regarding this character’s portrayal. In this latest film, Velma also becomes more involved with her teammate Daphne, a relationship that has historically been “paired” with Fred.
Currently, audiences are not only disappointed with Velma but many classic characters in animation are facing scrutiny due to Hollywood’s trend of “diversifying” characters. Previously, Ariel and the Beast were two of the most talked-about characters due to Disney’s changes.
Image: Warner Bros.
