By Phil Vinter PUBLISHED: 09:09 EST, 23 March 2012 | UPDATED: 10:26 EST, 23 March 2012 Scroll down for video... He's the forgotten forefather of the World's most popular cartoon character but finally Oswald the Lucky Rabbit is set to be a star in his own right. Fortune is finally favouring Mickey Mouse's predecessor with Disney thrusting him back into the spotlight after a career break lasting eight decades. The rabbit with a whacky personality is featuring in a new video game alongside Mickey and Disney has released this sketch by the company's founder Walt for a new exhibition about the groundbreaking animator.
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Oswald comes from a box of drawings that was found in the 1970s
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Whacky rabbit to feature in new video game alongside Mickey
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Walt Disney was betrayed by staff at Universal studios
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'Now, to have Mickey and Oswald brothers united to save the @placeholder, it's unbelievable.
Mickey Mouse
Mickey
Mickey
Changing faces: @placeholder has evolved a lot over the years, from his humble black and white beginnings he has become a colourful character adored by children around the World
Disney
Disney
Walt
Walt Disney
noted that most of the drawings from @placeholder's early Oswald cartoons
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As leverage, he reminded Disney that @placeholder owned the character, and revealed that he had already signed most of Disney's current employees to his new contract.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Oswald
Disney was dismayed at the betrayal by his staff, but determined to restart from scratch and @placeholder was no more.
Mickey Mouse
Mickey
Mickey
Walt Disney got the inspiration for @placeholder from his old pet mouse which he used to have on his farm.