Difference between revisions of "Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (film)"

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|caption= Poster.
|caption= Poster.
|prodcompany= [[Warner Premiere]]<br />[[Cartoon Network]]
|prodcompany= [[Warner Premiere]]<br />[[Cartoon Network]]
|distributor= [[Warner Bros. Home Video]]
|distributor= [[Warner Home Video]]
|released= [[September 13]], [[2009]]
|released= [[September 13]], [[2009]]
|run_time= 1:22:21
|run_time= 1:22:21
|starring= [[Nick Palatas]]<br />[[Robbie Amell]]<br />[[Hayley Kiyoko]]<br />[[Kate Melton]]<br />[[Garry Chalk]]<br />[[Kevin Macdonald]]<br />[[Dee Jay Jackson]]<br />[[Devon Thomas]]<br />[[C. Ernst Harth]]<br />[[Shawn Macdonald]]<br />[[David Hurtubise]]<br />[[Benita Ha]]<br />[[Cassandra Sawtell]]<br />[[Kurt Evans]]<br />[[Lorena Gale]]<br />[[Frank Welker]]
|starring= [[Nick Palatas]]<br />[[Robbie Amell]]<br />[[Hayley Kiyoko]]<br />[[Kate Melton]]<br />[[Garry Chalk]]<br />[[Kevin Macdonald]]<br />[[Frank Welker (actor)|Frank Welker]]
|producers= [[Brian Levant]]<br />[[Brian Gilbert]]
|producers= [[Brian Levant]]<br />[[Brian Gilbert]]
|music= [[David Newman]]
|music= [[David Newman]]
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|title_card= [[File:Mystery Begins title card.png|300px]]
|title_card= [[File:Mystery Begins title card.png|300px]]
}}
}}
'''''Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins''''' is an American-Canadian live-action/CGI supernatural mystery comedy television film based on [[Hanna-Barbera]]'s ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (TV series)|Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]'' animated TV series which aired from [[1969]] to [[1970]]. It was written by [[Steven Altiere|Steven]] and [[Daniel Altiere]], produced by [[Brian Levant]] and [[Brian Gilbert]], and directed by Levant. It was aired on [[September 13]], [[2009]], to coincide with the premiere of ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' on its 40th anniversary, then later released in DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on September 22. It was a co-production between the then newly formed [[Warner Premiere]] and [[Cartoon Network]]. It was marketed as a prequel to the big screen films of ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (film)|Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]'', although it is set in contemporary times. ''The Mystery Begins'' was followed the next year with its own sequel, ''[[Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (film)|Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster]]''.
'''''Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins''''' is an American-Canadian live-action/CGI supernatural mystery comedy television film based on [[Hanna-Barbera]]'s ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (TV series)|Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]'' animated TV series which aired from [[1969]] to [[1970]]. It was written by [[Steven Altiere|Steven]] and [[Daniel Altiere]], produced by [[Brian Levant]] and [[Brian Gilbert]], and directed by Levant. It was aired on [[September 13]], [[2009]] on [[Cartoon Network]], to coincide with the premiere of ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' on its 40th anniversary, then later released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on September 22. It was a co-production between the then newly formed [[Warner Premiere]] and Cartoon Network. It was marketed as a prequel to the big screen films of ''[[Scooby-Doo (film)|Scooby-Doo]]'' and ''[[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (film)|Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]]'', although it is set in contemporary times. ''The Mystery Begins'' was followed the next year with its own sequel, ''[[Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (film)|Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster]]''.


The film is an origin story of how the motley crew of Mystery Inc. solves their first case together in clearing their names at their school after being wrongly accused of disrupting the school with ghost pranks and accidentally almost burning down the whole school.
The film is an origin story of how the motley crew of Mystery Inc. solves their first case together in clearing their names at their school after being wrongly accused of pulling a ghostly prank that almost burns the school down.


==Detailed summary==
==Detailed summary==
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|-
|-
|style="background-color:#clear"| [[Scooby-Doo (character)|Scooby-Doo]]
|style="background-color:#clear"| [[Scooby-Doo (character)|Scooby-Doo]]
|style="background-color:#clear"| [[Frank Welker]] (voice)
|style="background-color:#clear"| [[Frank Welker (actor)|Frank Welker]] (voice)
|-
|-
|style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| [[List of unnamed Scooby-Doo characters#The Mystery Begins|Daughter]]
|style="background-color:#d2d2ff"| [[List of unnamed Scooby-Doo characters#The Mystery Begins|Daughter]]
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* [[Coolsville Cougars]]
* [[Coolsville Cougars]]
* [[Mystery Incorporated]]
* [[Mystery Incorporated]]
* ''[[Coolsville Gazette]]'' (mentioned)


==Locations==
==Locations==
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* ''[[Murder on the Links]]''
* ''[[Murder on the Links]]''
* [[Scooby Snacks]]
* [[Scooby Snacks]]
* ''Coolsville Gazette'' newspaper
* Time capsule
* ''[[Ghostly Hauntings: A History]]''
* ''[[Ghostly Hauntings: A History]]''
* ''[[Common Spells, Curses, and Hexes]]'' (mentioned)
* ''[[Common Spells, Curses, and Hexes]]'' (mentioned)
* [[Collsville Map Service]]
* [[Coolsville Map Service]]
* Shaggy's driver's license
* Shaggy's driver's license
* Huckleberry Hound bobblehead
* Huckleberry Hound bobblehead
* ''[[A Practical Guide to Raising the Dead and How to Use Them for Your Own Evil Purposes]]''
* ''[[A Practical Guide to Raising the Dead and How to Use Them for Your Own Evil Purposes]]''
* Time capsule


==Vehicles==
==Vehicles==
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===Development===
===Development===
The film was first announced by Moviehole on [[May 16]], [[2008]], with Brian Levant signed on as director (who previously directed ''[[The Flintstones (film)|The Flintstones]]'' and ''[[The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (film)|The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas]]''), and a nationwide casting call.<ref>Rodney ([[May 16]], [[2008]]). [http://www.themovieblog.com/2008/05/made-for-tv-scooby-doo-prequel-in-the-works/ "Made For TV Scooby Doo Prequel In The Works"]. ''The Movie Blog''. Retrieved [[May 2]], [[2020]].</ref> The roles of the teens started off quite different than how they ended up on screen (except for Shaggy): Daphne is a ''Murder, She Wrote''-inspired writer, Fred is a football player with a penchant for jigsaw puzzles with aspirations to try out for the school paper, with his idol being footballer turned supreme court justice Bryan "Whizzer" White, while Velma is U.S. ambassador for World Hunger, with the intention to cast an Asian in the role.
The film was first announced by Moviehole on [[May 16]], [[2008]], with Brian Levant signed on as director (who previously directed ''[[The Flintstones (film)|The Flintstones]]'' and ''[[The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (film)|The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas]]''), and a nationwide casting call.<ref>Rodney ([[May 16]], [[2008]]). [http://www.themovieblog.com/2008/05/made-for-tv-scooby-doo-prequel-in-the-works/ "Made For TV Scooby Doo Prequel In The Works"]. ''The Movie Blog''. Retrieved [[May 2]], [[2020]].</ref> The roles of the teens started off quite different than how they ended up on screen (except for Shaggy): Daphne is a ''Murder, She Wrote''-inspired writer, Fred is a football player with a penchant for jigsaw puzzles with aspirations to try out for the school paper, with his idol being footballer turned supreme court justice Bryan "Whizzer" White, while Velma is U.S. ambassador for World Hunger, with the intention to cast an Asian in the role.
The Altiere brothers were hired over several other writers,<ref>JayBee & Milly ([[February 3]], [[2024]]). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_2OhXB2kY "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!"]. (at 13:52). ''YouTube''. Retrieved [[February 7]], 2024.</ref> with their script being inspired by the [[1985]] film ''The Breakfast Club'', which is about a group of teens from different backgrounds coming together during a detention.<ref>JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_2OhXB2kY "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!"]. (at 14:52). ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2024.</ref> They then did rewrites with Brian Levant,<ref>JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_2OhXB2kY "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!"]. (at 15:16). ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2024.</ref> who had assistance from two retired writing friends.<ref>JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4_2OhXB2kY "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!"]. (at 15:26). ''YouTube''. Retrieved February 7, 2024.</ref>


On July 21, Robbie Amell and Hayley Kiyoko were cast as Fred and Velma, respectively, joining Kate Melton and Nick Palatas as Daphne and Shaggy, respectively, who had already been cast before then.<ref>Caffeinated Clint ([[July 21]], 2008). [https://moviehole.net/scooby-doo-3s-velma-and-fred-cast/ "Scooby Doo 3's Velma and Fred cast!"]. ''Moviehole''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref>
On July 21, Robbie Amell and Hayley Kiyoko were cast as Fred and Velma, respectively, joining Kate Melton and Nick Palatas as Daphne and Shaggy, respectively, who had already been cast before then.<ref>Caffeinated Clint ([[July 21]], 2008). [https://moviehole.net/scooby-doo-3s-velma-and-fred-cast/ "Scooby Doo 3's Velma and Fred cast!"]. ''Moviehole''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref>
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On [[August 1]], a press release formally announced the project as ''Scooby-Doo: In the Beginning'' at the time, with the aforementioned cast officially announced.<ref name="Major Spoilers">Staff ([[August 2]], 2008). [http://majorspoilers.com/2008/08/02/live-action-scooby-doo-prequel-in-the-works/ "Live-Action Scooby-Doo Prequel in the Works"]. ''Major Spoilers''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> Scooby-Doo would be computer generated by [[Animation Picture Company]], and his voice supplied by Frank Welker,<ref name="Major Spoilers" /> who had already been voicing the character in cartoons since [[2002]]. Filming was reported to take three days in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref name="Major Spoilers" /><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">Andreeva, Nellie ([[August 1]], 2008). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-mystery-mission-scooby-doo-116751 "New mystery mission for 'Scooby-Doo'"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> It had a projected date for fall 2009.<ref name="Major Spoilers" />
On [[August 1]], a press release formally announced the project as ''Scooby-Doo: In the Beginning'' at the time, with the aforementioned cast officially announced.<ref name="Major Spoilers">Staff ([[August 2]], 2008). [http://majorspoilers.com/2008/08/02/live-action-scooby-doo-prequel-in-the-works/ "Live-Action Scooby-Doo Prequel in the Works"]. ''Major Spoilers''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> Scooby-Doo would be computer generated by [[Animation Picture Company]], and his voice supplied by Frank Welker,<ref name="Major Spoilers" /> who had already been voicing the character in cartoons since [[2002]]. Filming was reported to take three days in Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref name="Major Spoilers" /><ref name="Hollywood Reporter">Andreeva, Nellie ([[August 1]], 2008). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/new-mystery-mission-scooby-doo-116751 "New mystery mission for 'Scooby-Doo'"]. ''The Hollywood Reporter''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> It had a projected date for fall 2009.<ref name="Major Spoilers" />


[[Cartoon Network]] saw their collaboration with [[Warner Premiere]] on ''Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins'' as an anchor into a major shift into new live-action programming for the latter.<ref name="Major Spoilers" /><ref name="Hollywood Reporter" />
Cartoon Network saw their collaboration with [[Warner Premiere]] on ''Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins'' as an anchor into a major shift into new live-action programming for the latter.<ref name="Major Spoilers" /><ref name="Hollywood Reporter" />


Amell's offer to wear a blond wig to match Fred in the cartoon, was declined.
Amell's offer to wear a blond wig to match Fred in the cartoon was declined.


After graduating high school, Kiyoko auditioned for Velma,<ref name="Agoura Hills">Pascal, Susan ([[October 27]], [[2010]]). [https://archive.is/20130131005332/http://agourahills.patch.com/articles/agouras-rising-star-hayley-kiyoko "Actress-Musician Is a Rising Star]". ''Agoura Hills Patch''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> at the suggestion by her father, although she was skeptical at first because she's the polar opposite of Velma, but Levant was able to see past Kiyoko's own style.<ref>Lindell, Karen ([[July 16]], 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110907012005/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/jul/16/hayleys-comet-ever-since-she-joined-the-stunners/ "Hayley's comet"]. ''Ventura County Star''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> When looking for guidance, she took to the cartoon, instead of [[Linda Cardellini]]'s portrayal in the theatrical films.<ref name="Agoura Hills" />
After graduating high school, Kiyoko auditioned for Velma,<ref name="Agoura Hills">Pascal, Susan ([[October 27]], [[2010]]). [https://archive.is/20130131005332/http://agourahills.patch.com/articles/agouras-rising-star-hayley-kiyoko "Actress-Musician Is a Rising Star]". ''Agoura Hills Patch''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> at the suggestion by her father, although she was skeptical at first because she's the polar opposite of Velma, but Levant was able to see past Kiyoko's own style.<ref>Lindell, Karen ([[July 16]], 2010). [https://web.archive.org/web/20110907012005/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/jul/16/hayleys-comet-ever-since-she-joined-the-stunners/ "Hayley's comet"]. ''Ventura County Star''. Retrieved May 2, 2020.</ref> When looking for guidance, she took to the cartoon, instead of [[Linda Cardellini]]'s portrayal in the theatrical films.<ref name="Agoura Hills" />
Line 201: Line 205:
==Music==
==Music==
The music was composed by [[David Newman]], who also did the same for the two previous theatrical films.
The music was composed by [[David Newman]], who also did the same for the two previous theatrical films.
===Songs===
# "Football Funk" - Edmund (Ed) Hartman
# "Fiesta" - Mariachi la Estrella
# "[[You and I]]" - [[Anarbor]]
# "[[What's New, Scooby-Doo? (theme song)|What's New, Scooby-Doo?]]" - Anarbor
# "American Jig" from ''House of Wax'' - David Buttolph


==Crew credits==
==Crew credits==
Line 227: Line 238:
* Still photographer: [[Ed Araquel]]
* Still photographer: [[Ed Araquel]]
* Sound mixer: [[Lars Ekstrom]]
* Sound mixer: [[Lars Ekstrom]]
* Boom operator: [[
* Boom operator: [[Roderick Matte]]
* Sound utility: [[Ian Tarasoff]]
* Production office coordinator: [[Michele Macinnes]]
* Assistant production office coordinators: [[Karen Pelrine]], [[Melyssa Rose]]
* 3rd assistant director: [[Karin Berhnz]]
* Production accountant: [[Jane Mason]]
* Location manager: [[Ken Brooker]]
* Assistant location manager: [[Paul Russell]]
* Script supervisor: [[Jules Mann Stewart]]
* Assistant costume designer: [[Paulette Nelson]]
* Costumers: [[Allison Chretien]], [[Moira Fentum]]
* Key make up artist: [[April Boyes]]
* Make up FX designer: [[Joel Echallier]]
* Make up FX producer: [[Angieszka Echallier]]
* Key hair stylist: [[Danna Rutherford]]
* Chief lighting technician: [[Darren McLean]]
* Assistant chief lighting technician: [[Rory Soderman]]
* Rigging gaffer: [[Timothy Hedgecock]]
* Key gripper: [[John Kuchera]]
* Best boy gripper: [[Paul Arnel]]
* Dolly grip "A" camera operator: [[Dave Kershaw]]
* Dolly grip "B" camera operator: [[Sylvia Pranaitis]]
* Best boy rigging gripper: [[Derek Garland]]
* Rigging gripper: [[Herb Dewaal]]
* Property master: [[Valentine Pavuls]]
* Assistant property master: [[Laura Schneider]]
* Props assistant: [[Dave Martin Myatt]]
* Construction coordinator: [[Dean McQuillen]]
* Construction foreman: [[Mark McQuillen]], [[Roger Busque]]
* Greensmen: [[Dylan Dowd]], [[DJ Miller]]
* On set dresser: [[David Manske]]
* Special effects coordinators: [[Darren Marcoux]], [[Eric Lemay]]
* Special effects technicians: [[James Kozier]], [[Ron Kozier]]
* Assistant to Brian Levant: [[Galen Fletcher]]
* DGC trainee: [[Dawn Charette]]
* Production office assistant: [[Stewart Blackie]]
* Animal wranglers: [[Steve Woodley]], [[Darcy Woodley]]
* Choreographer: [[Paul Becker]]
* US casting agent: [[Susan Putnam]]
* Extras casting agent: [[Natasha Tony]]
* Transportation coordinator: [[Bob Dennett]]
* Transportation captain: [[Dave Byerly]]
* First aid/Craf service: [[Sean Aislabie]]
* Caterer: [[Truffels Fine Foods]]
* Post production supervisor: [[Jan Kikumoto]]
* VFX editor: [[Wilt Henderson]]
* 1st assistant editor: [[Travis Dultz]]
* Post production assistant: [[Tim Cravens]]
* VFX coordinator (LA): [[Sean Ware]]
* VFX coordinator (Vancouver): [[Kennedy Shah]]
* VFX assistant (Vancouver): [[Matthew Lyons]]
* Visual effects services: [[The Animation Picture Company]]
** VFX supervisors: [[Mark Dippe]], [[Minsu Park]], [[Seungyong]]
** VFX production: [[Lynn Gephart]], [[Joshua S.H. Sohn]], [[Tracy Park]], [[Youngki Lee]], [[Junshik-Raul Yun]], [[Christian Quickle]]
** Digital artists: [[Sungoh Moon]], [[Taekmin Lee]], [[Sarang Choi]], [[Yeonhee Seong]], [[Sunwha Kim]], [[Jayoung Byun]], [[Manhong Han]], [[Sungmin Kim]], [[Yeonsoo Kim]], [[Minhee Lee]], [[Dongwook Ban]], [[Jaesoon Ryu]], [[Hyunwook Kim]], [[Jungwoo Lee]], [[Minjae Lee]], [[Hyunseung Yu]], [[Jesung Ieon]], [[Hyunkyu Lee]], [[Choonsik Lim]], [[Bongkyu Lim]]
* Visual effects services: [[Stargate Studios]]
** [[Brett Dowler]], [[J. David Everhart]], [[Michael Leeming]], [[Jared Jones]], [[Mike Yip]], [[Jason Korber]], [[Brenda Li]], [[Jess  Brown]], [[Henry Peng]]
* Digital puppeteer: [[Dave Barclay]]
* Re-recording mixers: [[Mark Rozett]], [[Kelly Vandever]]
* Supervising sound editor: [[Trip Brock]]
* Sound designers/Effects editors: [[Steven Avila]], [[Peter Lago]]
* Sound effects editors: [[Jason Shaffer]], [[Alex Pugh]]
* Dialogue editors: [[Brian S.M. Roth]], [[Bryon Speller]]
* ADR mixers: [[Doug Latishaw]], [[Ben Whitver]]
* Assistant sound editors: [[Steven Utt]], [[Kyle Tilbury]], [[Sean Madsen]]
* Foley editors: [[Caleb Mauer]], [[Zac Anderson]]
* Foley mixer: [[Rick Owens]]
* Music editorial services: [[Liquid Music]]
* Music mix services: [[M5 Studios]]
* Music score services: [[Marty Frasu]], [[Billy Sullivan]]
* Colorist: [[Sue Gates]]
* IQ artist: [[Roger Berger]]
* IQ assistant: [[Chris Kirpatrick]]
* Project supervisor: [[Amber Taylor]]
* Electronic graphics operator: [[Casey Leming]]
* Camera systems provider: [[Clairmont]]
 
==Release==
==Release==
Dates are in order of release:
Dates are in order of release:
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* Shaggy owns an unidentified Batman comic <small>(until it can become identified)</small> and ''Challenge of the DC Super Friends'' #6.
* Shaggy owns an unidentified Batman comic <small>(until it can become identified)</small> and ''Challenge of the DC Super Friends'' #6.
* Daphne (who specifically states her age), Fred, and Velma are 15 years old, making Shaggy 17.
* Daphne (who specifically states her age), Fred, and Velma are 15 years old, making Shaggy 17.
* The movie played at the theater is ''House of Wax'' from [[1957]], with [[Vincent Price]], not the [[2005]] one with Paris Hilton.
* Velma talks about a mystery at Coolsville Museum, which is a reference to the events of "[[What a Night for a Knight]]," the first episode of ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!''
* The movie ends with a series of montages from the original series (most of which are featured in the opening and closing theme song) along with the spin-off ''[[What's New, Scooby-Doo?]]''
** The "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" song during the end montage came from the TV series of the same name.
** Bats fly out of a spooky house which opens up the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' theme song.
** Scooby is scared by two giant eyeballs from ''[[The Scooby-Doo Show]]'' theme song.
** A cackling skull from the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' episode "[[Hassle in the Castle]]."
** Fred falling backward into a bookcase which happened in the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' episode "[[Never Ape an Ape Man]]."
** A hand grabs at Daphne like in the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' episode "Hassle in the Castle."
** Captain Cutler's Ghost from the ''Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!'' episode "[[A Clue for Scooby-Doo]]."
** Silhouettes of the gang running across three different colored rows like in the ''What's New, Scooby-Doo?'' theme song.
** A close-up of Scooby like at the end of the ''What's New, Scooby-Doo?'' theme song.
* At the end of the end credits, there is a special thanks to the staff of Templeton High School.


==Errors==
==Errors==
* Despite only being referred to as the "Specter," the credits list him as "Dark Specter."
* Despite only being referred to as the "Specter," the credits list him as "Dark Specter."
* In the scene when the Gang is getting suspended, [[Nick Palatas]] (Shaggy)'s microphone is visible in his back pocket.
* In the scene when the Gang is getting suspended, Nick Palatas (Shaggy)'s microphone is visible in his back pocket.
* Velma says Coolsville Mountain, but the address on the map website says Coolsville Mountain Road.
* Velma says Coolsville Mountain, but the address on the map website says Coolsville Mountain Road.
* Shaggy doesn't get rope burn.
* Shaggy doesn't get rope burn.
Line 265: Line 365:
==Home availability==
==Home availability==
* In the United States:
* In the United States:
** [[September 22]], [[2009]]: [[Warner Home Video]] releases ''[[Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (DVD)|Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins]]'' (Target edition) on DVD.
** [[September 22]], [[2009]]: [[Warner Home Video]] releases ''[[Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (DVD)|Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins]]'' on DVD.
** September 22, 2009: Warner Home Video releases ''Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins'' (Target edition) on DVD.
** September 22, 2009: Warner Home Video releases ''[[Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (BD)|Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins]]'' on Blu-ray Disc.
** September 22, 2009: Warner Home Video releases ''[[Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins (BD)|Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins]]'' on Blu-ray Disc.
* In the United Kingdom and Ireland:
** [[October 24]], [[2011]]: Warner Home Video releases ''[[Scooby-Doo: 4 Live-Action Film Collection]]'' on DVD.


==Trailers==
==Trailers==
Line 289: Line 392:
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
[[Category:2009]]
[[Category:Directed by Brian Levant]]
[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:Films]]
[[Category:Scooby-Doo films]]
[[Category:Scooby-Doo films]]
[[Category:Scooby-Doo]]
[[Category:Scooby-Doo]]

Latest revision as of 23:02, 19 March 2024

For other uses, see Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins.
Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins
Mystery Begins poster.jpg
Poster.
Production company Warner Premiere
Cartoon Network
Distributor Warner Home Video
Release date September 13, 2009
Run time 1:22:21
Starring Nick Palatas
Robbie Amell
Hayley Kiyoko
Kate Melton
Garry Chalk
Kevin Macdonald
Frank Welker
Producer(s) Brian Levant
Brian Gilbert
Music composed by David Newman
Screenplay by Steven Altiere
Daniel Altiere
Director(s) Brian Levant
Art director(s) Tyler Haron
Title card
Mystery Begins title card.png

Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins is an American-Canadian live-action/CGI supernatural mystery comedy television film based on Hanna-Barbera's Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! animated TV series which aired from 1969 to 1970. It was written by Steven and Daniel Altiere, produced by Brian Levant and Brian Gilbert, and directed by Levant. It was aired on September 13, 2009 on Cartoon Network, to coincide with the premiere of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! on its 40th anniversary, then later released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on September 22. It was a co-production between the then newly formed Warner Premiere and Cartoon Network. It was marketed as a prequel to the big screen films of Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, although it is set in contemporary times. The Mystery Begins was followed the next year with its own sequel, Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster.

The film is an origin story of how the motley crew of Mystery Inc. solves their first case together in clearing their names at their school after being wrongly accused of pulling a ghostly prank that almost burns the school down.

Detailed summary

Memorable quotes

Principal Deedle: Locker problems again, Mr. Rogers?
Shaggy: Huh. Yeah, I uh- I seem to get the squirrelly one every year. Heh.


Daphne: Now introducing the new and improved Velma Dinkley.
Fred: Jinkies.
Scooby: Rubba, rubba.
Shaggy: You can say that again, Scoob.
Scooby: Rubba, rubba.


Prudence Prufrock: First, a grammar lesson! You never start a sentence with the word, "Like!"
Shaggy: Like, sorry!

Characters

Legend
Character debut Speaking debut Ep. debut No lines Mentioned

In order of appearance:

Character Actor
Bus driver Dee Jay Jackson
Shaggy Rogers Nick Palatas
Beefy jock Devon Thomas
Fred Jones Robbie Amell
Velma Dinkley Hayley Kiyoko
Daphne Blake Kate Melton
William Shakespeare
J. Robert Oppenheimer
Otis C. Ernst Harth
Receptionist Unavailable
Principal Deedle/Specter Shawn Macdonald
Daniel Riordan (Specter's voice)
Banjo Unavailable
Mr. Pupperman David Hurtubise
Mother Benita Ha
Son Tony Der, Jr.
Scooby-Doo Frank Welker (voice)
Daughter Cassandra Sawtell
Dad Kurt Evans
Vice Principal Grimes Garry Chalk
Librarian Lorena Gale
Prudence Prufrock Leah James
Ezekial Gallows Brian Sutton
Al Rodrigo (voice)
Shaggy's mother Unavailable
Daphne's father
Huckleberry Hound (bobblehead) N/A
Cowboy ghost Unavailable
Teen girl in car Jordana Largy
Teen boy in car Christopher Attadia
Mother with stroller Kristina Barr
Father with stroller Mark Gash
Microwave lady Wendy Morrow Donaldson
Reporter Kira Clavell
Ghost of Captain Cutler N/A


Organizations

Locations

Objects

Vehicles

Production

Development

The film was first announced by Moviehole on May 16, 2008, with Brian Levant signed on as director (who previously directed The Flintstones and The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas), and a nationwide casting call.[1] The roles of the teens started off quite different than how they ended up on screen (except for Shaggy): Daphne is a Murder, She Wrote-inspired writer, Fred is a football player with a penchant for jigsaw puzzles with aspirations to try out for the school paper, with his idol being footballer turned supreme court justice Bryan "Whizzer" White, while Velma is U.S. ambassador for World Hunger, with the intention to cast an Asian in the role.

The Altiere brothers were hired over several other writers,[2] with their script being inspired by the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, which is about a group of teens from different backgrounds coming together during a detention.[3] They then did rewrites with Brian Levant,[4] who had assistance from two retired writing friends.[5]

On July 21, Robbie Amell and Hayley Kiyoko were cast as Fred and Velma, respectively, joining Kate Melton and Nick Palatas as Daphne and Shaggy, respectively, who had already been cast before then.[6]

On August 1, a press release formally announced the project as Scooby-Doo: In the Beginning at the time, with the aforementioned cast officially announced.[7] Scooby-Doo would be computer generated by Animation Picture Company, and his voice supplied by Frank Welker,[7] who had already been voicing the character in cartoons since 2002. Filming was reported to take three days in Vancouver, British Columbia.[7][8] It had a projected date for fall 2009.[7]

Cartoon Network saw their collaboration with Warner Premiere on Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins as an anchor into a major shift into new live-action programming for the latter.[7][8]

Amell's offer to wear a blond wig to match Fred in the cartoon was declined.

After graduating high school, Kiyoko auditioned for Velma,[9] at the suggestion by her father, although she was skeptical at first because she's the polar opposite of Velma, but Levant was able to see past Kiyoko's own style.[10] When looking for guidance, she took to the cartoon, instead of Linda Cardellini's portrayal in the theatrical films.[9]

Filming

While filming in Vancouver, Templeton Secondary School was chosen as the school the gang would attend.

Music

The music was composed by David Newman, who also did the same for the two previous theatrical films.

Songs

  1. "Football Funk" - Edmund (Ed) Hartman
  2. "Fiesta" - Mariachi la Estrella
  3. "You and I" - Anarbor
  4. "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" - Anarbor
  5. "American Jig" from House of Wax - David Buttolph

Crew credits

Release

Dates are in order of release:

  • United States: July 26, 2009 at San Diego Comic Con International (SDCC);[11] September 13, 2009 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) on Cartoon Network; September 22, 2009 on DVD and Blu-ray

Behind the scenes

  • On the side of the school buses, Coolsville High is in District #1969.
  • For some reason, only the bottom of Shaggy's mother's legs are shown.
  • Shaggy owns an unidentified Batman comic (until it can become identified) and Challenge of the DC Super Friends #6.
  • Daphne (who specifically states her age), Fred, and Velma are 15 years old, making Shaggy 17.
  • The movie played at the theater is House of Wax from 1957, with Vincent Price, not the 2005 one with Paris Hilton.
  • Velma talks about a mystery at Coolsville Museum, which is a reference to the events of "What a Night for a Knight," the first episode of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!
  • The movie ends with a series of montages from the original series (most of which are featured in the opening and closing theme song) along with the spin-off What's New, Scooby-Doo?
    • The "What's New, Scooby-Doo?" song during the end montage came from the TV series of the same name.
    • Bats fly out of a spooky house which opens up the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! theme song.
    • Scooby is scared by two giant eyeballs from The Scooby-Doo Show theme song.
    • A cackling skull from the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Hassle in the Castle."
    • Fred falling backward into a bookcase which happened in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Never Ape an Ape Man."
    • A hand grabs at Daphne like in the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "Hassle in the Castle."
    • Captain Cutler's Ghost from the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! episode "A Clue for Scooby-Doo."
    • Silhouettes of the gang running across three different colored rows like in the What's New, Scooby-Doo? theme song.
    • A close-up of Scooby like at the end of the What's New, Scooby-Doo? theme song.
  • At the end of the end credits, there is a special thanks to the staff of Templeton High School.

Errors

  • Despite only being referred to as the "Specter," the credits list him as "Dark Specter."
  • In the scene when the Gang is getting suspended, Nick Palatas (Shaggy)'s microphone is visible in his back pocket.
  • Velma says Coolsville Mountain, but the address on the map website says Coolsville Mountain Road.
  • Shaggy doesn't get rope burn.

Marketing and promotion

At the aforementioned SDCC, the screening was supposed to be followed by a panel with Amell, Palatas, Melton, and Kiyoko, Levant, and producer Brian Gilbert, with the hopes that Welker would also be available, then a booth signing from Amell, Palatas, Melton, and Kiyoko.[11] Specially made dog collars were also sold.[12]

Critical reception

Ratings

The telecast succeeded in becoming the most watched in Cartoon Network history, according to preliminary overnight data from Nielsen Media Research.[13][14]

In other languages

Language Name Meaning

Home availability

Trailers

Teaser trailer #1:

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Teaser trailer #2:

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DVD/Blu-ray trailer:

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TV spot #1:

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TV spot #2:

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TV spot #3:

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References

  1. ^ Rodney (May 16, 2008). "Made For TV Scooby Doo Prequel In The Works". The Movie Blog. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  2. ^ JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!". (at 13:52). YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  3. ^ JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!". (at 14:52). YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  4. ^ JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!". (at 15:16). YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  5. ^ JayBee & Milly (February 3, 2024). "The Daniel Altiere Interview: Writer of Scooby Doo the Mystery Begins and Curse of the Lake Monster!". (at 15:26). YouTube. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  6. ^ Caffeinated Clint (July 21, 2008). "Scooby Doo 3's Velma and Fred cast!". Moviehole. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e Staff (August 2, 2008). "Live-Action Scooby-Doo Prequel in the Works". Major Spoilers. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2008). "New mystery mission for 'Scooby-Doo'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Pascal, Susan (October 27, 2010). "Actress-Musician Is a Rising Star". Agoura Hills Patch. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  10. ^ Lindell, Karen (July 16, 2010). "Hayley's comet". Ventura County Star. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Dixon, Kerry (July 8, 2009). "Cartoon Network/Adult Swim at the Con!". SDCC Unofficial Blog! Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  12. ^ "Scooby Doo, Dog Collar, SDCC 2009". WorthPoint. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Press Release (September 15, 2009). "Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins Scores as Cartoon Network's Most-Watched Telecast in Network History". WarnerMedia. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  14. ^ Staff (September 15, 2009). "SCOOBY-DOO! THE MYSTERY BEGINS Scores as Cartoon Network’s Most-Watched Telecast in Network History". TV By the Numbers. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
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