As you know, a lot goes into making a movie. Many of them are developed for many years, seeing various writers and directors and other talent come and go as the best strategy for making the movie is figured out.

1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit was no different. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring the late Bob Hoskins, the movie would go on to become an unforgettable fusion of live-action film noir and cartoon comedy. But Disney was trying to make the movie happen years before that destiny was realized. They acquired the rights to the Gary K. Wolf novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? not long after its publication in 1981, and at one point in 1983 had an adaptation in the works with Paul Reubens as Roger Rabbit (around the time he was becoming known as Pee-Wee Herman).

You can see a behind-the-scenes video of this very different version of Roger Rabbit below.

After many years I recently revisited the landmark film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, an inventive and monumental movie that ushered in a new era of animation. Sadly and quite coincidental based on timing, Bob Hoskins, its star, passed away within days of me re-watching this modern masterpiece. Hoskins’ role lent the comedy its soul and substance and will always be cherished. We at Geeks of Doom mourn his loss, not only for his impact in film, but also for how much he influenced Roger Rabbit.

Bob Hoskins, who passed away from pneumonia on April 29, 2014 at the age of 71, had been suffering from Parkinson’s. Hoskins left the acting profession after being diagnosed a few years ago. Over his career that spanned more than four decades, he provided film with numerous memorable characters. Perhaps his best role was as Eddie Valiant. We depart the detective character’s office with a closed case and much nostalgia in tow.

Yesterday we shared a quick post with a video showing off what 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit looked like while filming as compared to the finished movie. It’s fun to see, and gives fans who haven’t seen it new appreciation of the work Bob Hoskins did in that movie. Today, just like that, Hoskins is gone.

It was confirmed earlier today that the British actor has passed away after a battle with pneumonia. His family released a statement saying he died peacefully and surrounded by his loved ones. He was 71 years of age.

If you’ve never seen a behind the scenes making of video for Robert Zemeckis‘s 1988 live-action/animated hybrid classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit then the video below is a real treat.

The video shows star Bob Hoskins filming scenes for his character’s visit to Toontown, with a comparison look at the scenes in the finished movie. Now…this may comes as a bit of a shock to some of you, but none of the animated characters were actually physically there with Hoskins when the scenes were filmed. Nothing will ever be the same, I know. It’s truly fascinating to see Hoskins work with nothing but a blue screen, a couple of focal points when necessary, and a little assistance here and there, and seeing it gives you a brand new appreciation for his performance.

Click on over to the other side to check out the video.

Artist Dimitris Samaras has created this awesome Star Wars – Who Framed Roger Rabbit mash-up of Jessica Rabbit dressed up in the Slave Leia golden bikini garb called A Love Song for Jabba the Hutt.

Check out more of the artist’s work, including a hi-res version of this Jessica Rabbit piece, at his DeviantART page.