The Rocketeer (film)

"The Rocketeers" redirects here. For other topics, see Rocketeer.

The Rocketeer
An art deco poster of a man in brass helmet and red jacket, his arms by his sides and his legs obscured by streaks of motion blur
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJoe Johnston
Screenplay by
Story by
Based onThe Rocketeer
by Dave Stevens
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyHiro Narita
Edited by
Music byJames Horner
Production
companies
Distributed byBuena Vista Pictures Distribution
Release date
  • June 21, 1991 (1991-06-21)
Running time
108 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$35–40 million[3][4]
Box office$46.7 million (U.S.)[1][4]

The Rocketeer (released internationally as The Adventures of the Rocketeer) is a 1991 American superhero film from Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone Pictures. It was produced by Charles Gordon, Lawrence Gordon, and Lloyd Levin, directed by Joe Johnston, and stars Billy Campbell, Jennifer Connelly, Alan Arkin, Timothy Dalton, Paul Sorvino, and Tiny Ron Taylor. It is based on the character of the same name created by comic book artist and writer Dave Stevens.

Set in 1938 Los Angeles, California, The Rocketeer tells the story of stunt pilot Cliff Secord, who discovers a hidden rocket pack that he thereafter uses to fly without the need of an aircraft. His heroic deeds soon attract the attention of Howard Hughes and the FBI, who are hunting for the missing rocket pack, as well as the Nazi operatives who stole it from Hughes.

Development for The Rocketeer started as far back as 1983, when Stevens sold the film rights to the character. Steve Miner and William Dear considered directing The Rocketeer before Johnston signed on. Screenwriters Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo had creative differences with Disney, causing the film to languish in development hell.[5] The studio also intended to change the trademark helmet design; Disney CEO Michael Eisner wanted a straight NASA-type helmet, but Johnston convinced the studio otherwise. Johnston also had to convince Disney to let him cast actor Billy Campbell in the lead role. Filming for The Rocketeer lasted from September 19, 1990, to January 22, 1991. The visual effects sequences were created and designed by Industrial Light & Magic and supervised by animation director Wes Takahashi.

The film was released on June 21, 1991, and received positive reviews from critics.[6] Plans for Rocketeer sequels were abandoned after the film underperformed at the box office, grossing only $46 million on a $35 million budget. However, a television series based on the film, with Campbell reprising his role, premiered on Disney Junior in November 2019. In early 1991, Toy Biz had the rights to a massive Rocketeer toy line, including different versions of Cliff; this was akin to the Kenner Products Batman toy lines. Several prototypes were made, but the toy line was promptly shut down; Disney pulled the license from Toy Biz leaving only Just Toys having the rights.

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ScreenFinance was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "The Rocketeer (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. June 26, 1991. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Behind the scenes of The Rocketeer". Entertainment Weekly. June 21, 1991. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "The Rocketeer". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  5. ^ Mitchell, Kerrie. "Dept. of development hell." Premiere (American edition), Volume 18, Issue 5, February 2005, p. 40.
  6. ^ Maltin 2000, p. 302.