The Most Iconic Cartoon Character Has A Movie Crushing On Netflix
Did you know that there was a live-action (with some CGI) Woody Woodpecker film that came out in 2017? Well, you do now, and the movie is currently climbing the Netflix charts, sitting at the #7 spot according to FlixPatrol. If you’re looking for something to watch with the kids this weekend, or if you’re nostalgic for this classic cartoon character, you might be in the mood to give this movie a try.
The 2017 flick Woody Woodpecker is streaming on Netflix.
Woody Woodpecker stars Eric Bauza as the voice of the titular bird, who goes through numerous zany antics to prevent a real estate lawyer from building an investment property in his habitat.
Along with Bauza’s voice acting as the CG character, the live-action cast is rounded out by Timothy Omundson, Thaila Ayala, Graham Verchere, Jordana Largy, Scott McNeil, Adrian Glynn McMorran, Chelsea Miller, Jakob Davies, Sean Tyson, Emily Holmes, Patrick Lubczyk, Ty Consiglio, and Karin Konoval. The film was directed by Alex Zamm, who also co-wrote the screenplay with William Robertson.
Now, if you’re going into the Woody Woodpecker film expecting a masterpiece, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. But also, that would kind of be asking a lot of a film about a classic cartoon bird primarily known for being hyper and goofy. Still, people didn’t really love the film all that much, as it received mostly negative reviews.
Also, Woody Woodpecker never received a wide theatrical release, which might be why this is the first time you’ve heard of this movie. However, the film did receive a theatrical release in the Latin American market, as the character is still widely popular there. In fact, the cartoon has been broadcast in Brazil for decades, which is why the film was created primarily with the Brazilian market in mind (despite being shot in English). For instance, the popular Brazilian actress and model Thalia Ayala was cast as the character Vanessa to further appeal to the Brazilian market.
Even though Woody Woodpecker was only released in Latin American theaters, it didn’t do too badly at the box office. The film grossed $15.3 million total in the Latin American markets and came in second at the Brazilian box officer for its opening weekend, behind Blade Runner 2049. However, it managed to do even better on its second weekend in theaters and boosted to first place.
Now, if you’re going into the Woody Woodpecker film expecting a masterpiece, you’re going to be sorely disappointed.
So, unless you live in a Latin American country, you might have missed the release of the 2017 Woody Woodpecker movie altogether. Admittedly, you’re not missing much, but it is an entertaining enough kid’s movie. The character of Woody is accurate to the original cartoon created by Walter Lantz, so it has that going for it.
Interestingly enough, there’s supposedly a sequel to Woody Woodpecker in the works, but there hasn’t really been an update on it since 2021. The filming of the sequel reportedly wrapped back in 2021, but there hasn’t been a release date announced. Maybe the attention the film is currently getting on Netflix will prompt Universal to make an announcement about it.
Of course, the Woody Woodpecker movie franchise wouldn’t be unfamiliar with delays and setbacks, as the 2017 film was originally announced in 2011 and didn’t officially get on track until 2016. The first iteration of the film was announced in 2011 by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment 2011, with John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky in talks to develop the story before the project was canceled in 2013. Then Bill Kopp said in 2013 that Universal and Illumination were going to have him direct a film before that also got canceled.
Interestingly enough, there’s supposedly a sequel to Woody Woodpecker in the works, but there hasn’t really been an update on it since 2021.
Eventually, the success of the live-action/CGI hybrid film Alvin and the Chipmunks got Universal to greenlight a Woody Woodpecker film in a similar style in 2016. Everywhere except the Latin American countries, the film received a direct-to-video release, so that’s probably why people are getting into it now that it’s easily available on Netflix. If we do end up hearing more about that sequel, it does seem pretty unlikely that it would get a wide theatrical release the second time around.
In any case, Woody Woodpecker certainly is a good, quick film to keep the kids entertained. Of course, if you find his signature laugh annoying, you might want to just skip it altogether. Otherwise, you can check it out on Netflix now.
