Disney+ wins bidding war for new Casper live-action series

Anthony Thompson, USA TODAY Thu, April 30, 2026 at 1:26 AM UTC

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Casper the Friendly Ghost is getting another chance to haunt screens, this time on streaming.

Disney+ has landed a new live-action television series based on the beloved character, Amber Brockman, vice president of publicity for Disney branded television and freeform, confirmed via email Wednesday, April 29. The project is still in early development, but the reports say the series is envisioned as a modern update on the classic ghost story.

No casting announcements have been made, though there is speculation about whether stars from the 1995 film could return. That movie followed teenager Kat Harvey, played by Christina Ricci, and her father, paranormal therapist Dr. James Harvey, played by Bill Pullman, as they move into a haunted mansion. Malachi Pearson voiced Casper.

The new adaptation would mark a major revival for one of pop culture’s most recognizable supernatural characters, who first became famous through animated shorts, comic books and the 1995 hit movie. Here is what we know so far.

A Disney+ streaming service sign is pictured at the D23 Expo, billed as the "largest Disney fan event in the world," on August 23, 2019 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.Disney+ won a bidding war for ‘Casper’

According to Deadline, Disney+ secured the project after a competitive five-way bidding war.

Casper first appeared in animated shorts released by Famous Studios in the 1940s before later becoming a staple of Harvey Comics. Over the decades, the friendly ghost expanded into comic books, television series and feature films.

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Steven Spielberg is attached as an executive producer on the new series. He previously executive produced the 1995 movie through Amblin Entertainment, helping bring Casper into the blockbuster era.

‘Goosebumps’ creators are leading the series

The new Disney+ series comes from Rob Letterman and Hilary Winston, who also served as executive producers on Disney+ supernatural series Goosebumps.

Disney+ confirmed the duo are writing the project, with Letterman set to direct.

Letterman’s past credits include Pokemon: Detective Pikachu and Monsters vs. Aliens.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Casper the Friendly Ghost heads to Disney+ in new series

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