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Quinta Brunson to Star in Live-Action Betty Boop Feature Film — Melanin News | Melanin
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Quinta Brunson to Star in Live-Action Betty Boop Feature FilmCelebrity

Quinta Brunson to Star in Live-Action Betty Boop Feature Film

1w ago

Hollywood is buzzing with news that Emmy Award-winning creator, writer, producer, and actress Quinta Brunson will bring the iconic animated character Betty Boop back to the big screen in a live-action feature film. The highly anticipated project, confirmed on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, marks a significant moment for both the beloved cartoon and Brunson’s expanding career.

Brunson's production company, Fifth Chance Productions, is spearheading the film's development, partnering with Mark Fleischer, the grandson of Betty Boop’s creator Max Fleischer, and Fleischer Studios. Erin Wehrenberg, who serves as the head of creative affairs at Fifth Chance Productions, will oversee the film's creative journey. This endeavor will see Brunson step into the shoes of Betty Boop herself, portraying the character as a full live-action lead, a first for the animated icon in a starring theatrical motion picture role since the 1930s.

Image related to Quinta Brunson to Star in Live-Action Betty Boop Feature Film
Related image from the original report Source

The film is described as an origin story, tracing Betty Boop's evolution through the eyes of her creator, Max Fleischer. It promises to delve into the intricate relationship between an artist and his creation, exploring the creative and commercial pressures involved in building one of the world's inaugural animated icons, especially as that character begins to develop a life of its own beyond its initial conception.

Quinta Brunson, born on December 21, 1989, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has rapidly ascended as a prominent voice in entertainment. She first gained widespread recognition in 2014 with her self-produced Instagram series, "Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date," which quickly went viral. Her career then saw her join BuzzFeed Video as a producer, where she created and starred in numerous popular online content pieces that resonated with a broad audience.

Her groundbreaking work on the critically acclaimed ABC comedy series *Abbott Elementary* has cemented her status as a creative force. Brunson not only created and executive produces the show but also co-writes and stars as the beloved character Janine Teagues. Her contributions have earned her two Emmy Awards, including becoming the first Black woman to win for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and the first Black woman in over four decades to win Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beyond *Abbott Elementary*, Brunson's impressive resume includes roles in *A Black Lady Sketch Show*, *Miracle Workers*, and voice work for animated hits like *Big Mouth* and *Zootopia 2*. She founded Fifth Chance Productions as a female-led entertainment company focused on dynamic, diverse, and impactful character-driven narratives with universal themes.

Betty Boop
Betty Boop Source

Recently, Brunson was honored with the Mary Tyler Moore Visionary Award at Variety's FYC TV Fest on May 6, 2026. During her acceptance speech, she acknowledged Moore as a significant influence on her career path, stating that producing 22 episodes annually of *Abbott Elementary* made her feel "invincible" and prepared her for the rigorous demands of major studio negotiations and feature film production.

The character of Betty Boop herself has a rich and complex history. Max Fleischer (1883-1972), born Majer Fleischer in Kraków, Austrian Poland, was a pioneering American animator and studio owner. He co-founded Fleischer Studios with his younger brother Dave, and together they brought beloved characters like Koko the Clown, Popeye, and Superman to the screen, alongside Betty Boop. Fleischer was also an innovator, developing technologies such as the Rotoscope, the "Follow the Bouncing Ball" technique, and the "Stereoptical Process."

Betty Boop made her debut in Fleischer Studios' 1930 "Talkartoon" short, *Dizzy Dishes*. She initially appeared as a hybrid poodle/canine figure, designed by cartoonist Myron "Grim" Natwick. She quickly evolved into a human female, reportedly modeled after popular singer Helen Kane, and went on to become Fleischer's most famous creation, starring in her own series starting in 1932. Max's grandson, Mark Fleischer, now serves as the Chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios, continuing the family's legacy. His background includes experience in music, corporate executive roles at MGM, and a career as an entertainment attorney.

Betty Boop's cultural impact is undeniable. She is widely considered one of animation's first and most recognizable sex symbols, embodying the spirited, carefree essence of Jazz Age flappers and becoming a symbol of resilience during the Depression era. Her early cartoons pushed boundaries with their innocent sexuality and mature themes, captivating audiences but also sparking controversy. The stringent Hays Code, implemented in 1934, significantly altered Betty Boop's image, forcing her to adopt a more modest and less risqué persona, which ultimately contributed to a decline in her popularity. Despite these shifts, her legacy as an early feminist icon endures, with modern feminists reinterpreting her as a symbol of empowerment, independence, and freedom. The preliminary design of Betty Boop from *Dizzy Dishes* recently entered the public domain, opening new avenues for creative interpretations.

Quinta Brunson expressed profound enthusiasm for the project, stating, "Betty Boop is one of our nation's most beloved cartoon characters, yet somehow still remains pleasantly niche. She has had a quiet but undeniable impact on culture for nearly a century." Brunson further elaborated that after meeting with Mark Fleischer and learning more about his grandfather's creation, she "realized there was a much deeper story to tell. One that could be explored in a way that feels refreshing, subversive, and timeless, much like Betty herself." Mark Fleischer reciprocated her excitement, remarking, "When Quinta first approached me with the unique concept of a movie about the relationship of my grandfather, Max Fleischer, and his creation, Betty Boop, I was breathtaken. Quinta so embodies Betty's love of life, intelligence, humor, sassiness and compassion that the relationship between her as Betty and Max burst into life at its mere mention."

This announcement draws comparisons to the recent cultural phenomenon of the *Barbie* movie, suggesting a similar strategy of re-examining a beloved cultural icon through a contemporary and fresh lens. The project is not the first attempt to bring Betty Boop to the big screen, with previous efforts including a planned animated musical in 1993 and another project involving Bernadette Peters, but Brunson's involvement signals a fresh and prominent take on the character. With Brunson's proven track record of creating impactful and beloved content, this new Betty Boop film is poised to reignite interest in the classic character for a new generation while offering a compelling narrative on artistry and creation.