How a 1954 cartoon inspired a 2006 comedy about a criminal posing as a baby

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2006 film Little Man features a jewel thief who disguises himself as an infant to recover stolen loot. While the premise mirrors a classic Bugs Bunny short, the production relied on complex visual effects to shrink its lead actor, creating a bizarre cinematic experiment that polarized critics and audiences alike.

Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, Little Man follows Calvin Simms, a thief who hides a diamond in a stranger's purse and infiltrates their home by pretending to be an abandoned child. The narrative is a direct adaptation of the 1954 cartoon Baby Buggy Bunny, where Bugs Bunny unknowingly adopts a wanted criminal. Despite its commercial success, the film was widely panned, earning a 12% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 26 out of 100 score on Metacritic.

The film's visual style was achieved through a technical process involving actor Linden Porco, who stood 75 cm tall. Scenes were filmed twice: once with Porco interacting with the cast, and again with Marlon Wayans performing against a greenscreen. In post-production, Porco’s head was replaced with a digital composite of Wayans, while Porco’s body was painted to match his skin tone. This technique was so convincing that it was even referenced during the 2008 R. Kelly trial to challenge the authenticity of video evidence.

The production faced significant critical backlash, ultimately winning three Golden Raspberry Awards for its performances and its status as a derivative work. Critics like Mark Kermode were particularly harsh, while the film's humor was described as lacking by many reviewers. Nevertheless, the film maintained a B+ grade from CinemaScore audiences and performed well enough to rank second on the DVD sales charts upon its November 2006 home release.

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