Lola Bunny

Development

A character named Honey Bunny first appeared in the Bugs Bunny's Album comic book in 1953 as Bugs' cousin and an explorer. The name was reused for a separate love interest who debuted in Bugs Bunny Comic Book number 108 on November 15, 1966. Robert McKimson designed the prototype, with Phil DeLara redesigning Honey for semi-regular use in Looney Tunes Gold Key Comics in the 1960s. Honey's appearance varied: originally with flopped-down ears, white bangs, and pale yellow-tan fur, a similar design with upright ears appeared in the 1979 special Bugs Bunny's Thanksgiving Diet.

Later merchandise depicted her with grey fur and a more feminine model, used until the early 1990s. She made video game cameos in The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle, Bugs Bunny's Birthday Ball, and The Bugs Bunny Crazy Castle 2, and was mentioned in Looney Tunes: The Ultimate Visual Guide. For Space Jam, plans to use Honey in her Bugs-like design were dropped after some artists said she looked like Bugs cross-dressing. A replacement named Lola Rabbit was rejected by McDonald's, who felt she looked too young for a romantic pairing with Bugs.

The character was redesigned and renamed Lola Bunny. Desirée Goyette and June Foray performed the character in shows at Six Flags Astroworld, Marriott's Great America, and Six Flags amusement parks.

Appearances

Lola first appeared in the 1996 film Space Jam with tan fur, blonde bangs, a cropped white tank top, purple/blue shorts, matching rubber bands on her ears, white gloves, tan three-toed feet, light blue eyes, and a curvy figure, voiced by Kath Soucie. She was created as a romantic interest for Bugs; upon her arrival, Bugs is instantly smitten and other male characters ogle her. A sub-plot follows Bugs attempting to win her affection, which she reciprocates after he saves her from an opponent.

According to author Kevin Sandler, her personality combines the Hawksian woman, tomboy, and femme fatale archetypes: straight-talking, independent, confident, athletic, and seductive. Animation director Tony Cervone noted she was originally intended as a tomboy, but the team emphasized her feminine attributes to avoid appearing too masculine. Her catchphrase is 'Don't ever call me Doll'. Following Space Jam, she appeared regularly in the monthly Looney Tunes comic from DC Comics.

In The Looney Tunes Show, voiced by Kristen Wiig, she is eccentric, scatterbrained, endearing, and cheerful, obsessing over Bugs (whom she calls 'Bun-Bun') and often forgetting her goals. Bugs enjoys her company and declares himself her boyfriend in 'Double Date'. Her wealthy parents Walter and Patricia appear in the show. Lola is the titular lead in the straight-to-video film Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run, voiced by Rachel Ramras, retaining her Looney Tunes Show personality and appearance.

Voice actresses

Since her first official appearance in 1996, Lola Bunny has been voiced by several actresses. Kath Soucie voiced her in Space Jam, a Walkers commercial, Tweety's High-Flying Adventure, Looney Tunes Racing, Looney Tunes: Space Race, Looney Tunes webtoons, Looney Tunes Dance Off, New Looney Tunes, Looney Tunes World of Mayhem, Looney Tunes: Wacky World of Sports, and Daffy Season. Kristen Wiig voiced her in The Looney Tunes Show, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination and winning the People's Choice Voice Acting Award in 2011. Other voice actresses include Britt McKillip, Jessica DiCicco (as Lexi in Loonatics Unleashed), Rachel Ramras, Carla Delaney, Zendaya, Chandni Parekh, Kari Wahlgren, and Erin Yvette.

Reception and legacy

Since her debut, Lola Bunny became a fan favorite and an iconic Looney Tunes character, frequently regarded as an animated sex symbol. In 2020, she was named the most attractive cartoon character worldwide based on global search volume. Shannon Carlin of Bustle.com praised her as confident and talented, while Dan Kahan of PopDust.com wrote she was meant to be ogled by in-world characters and viewers. Lola from The Looney Tunes Show was well received; CBR.com ranked her and Bugs second in their 10 Best Romances From Childhood Cartoons, calling her more lively and vapid than in Space Jam.

IGN.com praised her as a crazy but charming character with Kristen Wiig doing a phenomenal job. WhatCulture found her scatterbrained and off-putting, making her more interesting and funny. Jonathan North of Rotoscopers.com said the show brought out her character far better than Space Jam. After watching the original Space Jam for the first time, director Malcolm D. Lee felt Lola was too sexualized and decided to turn her into a typical strong woman for Space Jam: A New Legacy, stating the original was not politically correct.

The new look and personality gained controversy on Twitter, with fans complaining she was less physically appealing. Author Kevin Sandler said Lola was created as a female merchandising counterpart to Bugs Bunny.