The film was to be released on HBO Max in December 2022. Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the film that August, citing cost-cutting measures and an intent to refocus on theatrical films over projects made for streaming.
To celebrate Scooby-Doo's first Christmas, 10-year-old Shaggy and the gang take him to a holiday-themed resort owned by Fred's favorite Uncle Ned. When the park is beset by a ghostly haunting, the kids must solve a 40-year-old mystery to save the resort and show Scooby the true meaning of Christmas.[2]
In June 2021, Tony Cervone said that a follow-up to Scoob! was in development.[8] On December 22, 2021, HBO Max released a sizzle reel featuring a first look at a Christmas-themed prequel film, titled Scoob! Holiday Haunt, which was to be released on the service in December 2022. The film takes place in the gang's youth, with Welker and the actors who portrayed the younger versions reprising their roles while Cervone returned to write the film with Paul Dini as well to produce the project. The film was co-directed by Bill Haller and Michael Kurinsky, and had a production budget of $40 million.[2]
On August 2, 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery canceled its release, citing cost-cutting measures and a refocus on theatrical films rather than creating projects for streaming.[9][10] Tony Cervone would go on to say on the same day that the project was "practically finished".[11] Later that month, it was reported that the film would still be finished, even though Warner Bros. Discovery had no present plans to release it.[12] The film was finally finished on November 4, 2022.[13][better source needed]
Following Andre Braugher's death in December 2023, Cervone revealed details on the actor's casting in the film where Braugher joined the project after a ten-minute meeting. He then later accepted the part after mentioning his "soft spot for Scooby-Doo".[4][better source needed]
