Disney could soon lose the rights to The Rocketeer, the cult-favorite superhero franchise that has spent decades struggling to take flight again. The Rocketeer Trust, representing the estate of late creator Dave Stevens, has reportedly begun the process of reclaiming the underlying copyright rights from Disney, potentially opening the door for the jetpack-wearing hero to find a new home.
According to Boardwalk Times, the trust served Disney with a Notice of Termination on June 11, 2026, invoking a provision of US copyright law that allows creators or their eligible heirs to reclaim certain rights after 35 years. The termination is scheduled to take effect on June 12, 2028, although the legal process does not mean Disney has already lost the property. The notice reportedly covers six original copyright registrations associated with The Rocketeer.
Released in 1991, The Rocketeer was directed by Joe Johnston and starred Billy Campbell as Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers an experimental rocket pack and becomes an unlikely hero in 1930s Hollywood. Featuring Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin and Timothy Dalton, the film blended old-fashioned adventure serials with superhero action. Although it failed to become the blockbuster Disney had hoped for, it eventually developed a dedicated following.
Disney has made several attempts to bring the property back over the years, but none has resulted in another live-action film. An earlier revival, announced in 2016 under the title The Rocketeers, would have introduced a new female pilot to carry on the legacy. The project eventually gave way to The Return of the Rocketeer, which had David Oyelowo attached to star as a former Tuskegee Airman who inherits the mantle. That version also failed to move forward, with the project reportedly shelved in 2025.
Disney did produce an animated Rocketeer series for Disney Junior in 2019, but it lasted just one season. More recently, another proposed sequel from filmmaker J.D. Dillard and screenwriter Mattson Tomlin failed to win Disney’s approval, adding to the list of unrealized attempts to revive Stevens’ creation.
The potential loss of the underlying rights would not necessarily prevent Disney from continuing to distribute its existing productions. Under the applicable copyright rules, previously authorized derivative works can receive different treatment from new projects based on the original property. However, if the termination takes effect, Disney would generally need to negotiate a new agreement with the rights holders to develop further adaptations using the reclaimed material.
That could give The Rocketeer Trust greater freedom to pursue new opportunities for the character, whether through Disney or another studio. For now, the future remains uncertain, and the rights dispute does not guarantee that another movie will be made. Still, after decades of unsuccessful attempts to relaunch the franchise, The Rocketeer could finally have a chance to chart a different course.
Source: The Boardwalk Times