What If DC Sold Its Film Rights?
Detective Chimp (released in the United Kingdom as Chimp... A New Breed of Hero) is a 1986 American superhero comedy film directed by Willard Huyck and starring Lea Thompson Jeffrey Jones and Tim Robbins. Based on the DC Comics character Detective Chimp, the film was produced by Gloria Katz and written by Huyck and Katz, with Steven Spielberg as executive producer. The screenplay was originally intended to be an animated film, but the film adaptation became live-action because of a contractual obligation. While several TV adaptations of DC characters were aired, this was the third theatrical release since Superman & the Mole Men (1951) & Batman: The Movie (1966). Spielberg proposed adapting the comic book following the production of The Sugarland Express (1974). After multiple production difficulties and mixed response to test screenings, Detective Chimp was released in theaters on August 1, 1986. Upon its release, the film was a critical and commercial failure and was criticized for its humor, performances, inconsistent tone, and appearance of the title character, though the effects and soundtrack were mostly praised. In the years since, it has been considered among the worst films ever made, but has also developed a cult following. It was nominated for seven Golden Raspberry Awards (winning four), and made about US $16.3 million domestically compared to its US $30–37 million budget.
Story added by adamreece on May 15, 2026
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