Original live-action Scooby-Doo star gives fans hope for a possible franchise return

For multiple generations, Scooby-Doo has been a staple throughout childhood. Whether it's the cartoons or live-action movies or the various spinoff series and films, Scooby and the Mystery gang are part of so many of our core memories. Thanks to Netflix, we're about to make a whole new batch of core memories with the upcoming live-action series Scooby-Doo: Origins.

In the new prequel series, the gang's formation takes shape while investigating a supernatural murder mystery at summer camp with the help of a talking Great Dane puppy named Scooby-Doo, who will be played by a real dog for the first time. The cast includes Tanner Hagen as Shaggy, Mckenna Grace as Daphne, Maxwell Jenkins as Fred, and Abby Ryder Fortson as Velma.

Linda Cardellini is open to appearing in Scooby-Doo: Origins

But someone else just might want to eventually join the party. Linda Cardellini brought Velma Dinkley to life in the 2000s live-action movies Scooby-Doo and Scooby-Doo: Monsters Unleashed. Even though no one can replace the iconic cartoon version of the character, Cardellini is Velma to a very specific generation, and we could possibly see her appear in the new live-action series. As she said to Deadline during an interview about her latest projects, she wouldn't turn it down.

"Oh, I would never rule that out. I loved that cartoon growing up more than anything and the idea that I got to be in the movie was so shocking to me – and that kids who grew up with it talk about it to me, to this day. I’m so excited for Abby [Ryder Fortson] and the rest of that cast because they are going to really be part of something that is television history. I’m very excited for them and I’ll be there in support of it in any way I can," Cardellini said.

Obviously, she likely wouldn't be playing Velma if she were to appear in the series, unless there happens to be some sort of time travel storyline where an older Velma meets up with a younger Velma. But we don't really know the rules of the show yet and just how supernatural it will get. Cardellini's cameo could also be the actress playing another character and using her appearance in the show as a nod to the Scooby-Doo (2002) fans.

We can also take Cardellini's comments about appearing in Scooby-Doo: Origins as an assumption that she won't be present in the first season, which is currently in production. The star has had a busy schedule lately with her HBO miniseries DTF: St. Louis airing earlier this year and the Peacock horror series Crystal Lake coming this fall. She'll also next be seen in the Apple TV drama film Way of the Warrior Kid in November and recently wrapped filming Bill Hader's horror movie They Know.

Netflix has revealed the full cast for Scooby-Doo: Origins, but none of the latest guest star or recurring players include any of the cast members from the 2000s live-action movies. But that doesn't mean there aren't possibly any tricks up their sleeves. Where there's a will, there's a way to sneak one, a few, or even all of the former gang in for a cameo. After all, who would turn down a reunion with Cardellini, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Matthew Lillard.

However, at the end of the day, it's not completely necessary to pay homage to the live-action movies. Netflix and the new generation are building a completely new, unique series as a modern update of a beloved franchise. It's completely understandable if they are opting to make sure Origins stands on its own before making on franchise callbacks. But we still can't help but hope for some!

Scooby-Doo: Origins premieres in 2027 on Netflix.

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