Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace (2013)

The animated movie Scooby-Doo! Mecha Mutt Menace (2013) depicts Fred participating in a science expo in Houston, Texas with his invention that uses magnets, a trampoline and a sticky net to catch monsters. While testing it out, the trap accidentally captures a girl named Melanie Staples who is quickly freed by Fred. She introduces herself as the daughter of NASA scientist Ned Staples and catches Fred’s attention. The gang then attends Ned’s presentation where he reveals a robotic dog named “Mecha Mutt” designed for exploring the terrain on Mars. However, things take a chaotic turn when Mecha Mutt malfunctions and shoots laser beams at the audience. Security responds by chasing after the robot, leaving Ned to face inquiries from reporters who believe the incident is caused by the ‘Space Specter’. Melanie enlightens the gang about this legend which tells of a spaceship losing control while traveling through space mist.

Upon arrival on Earth, an entity became attached to the ship, and now, whenever a mishap occurs at NASA, it is deemed the fault of this alleged specter. Splitting up for efficiency, Fred, Daphne, and Melanie approach Lab Assistant Irv – whose desk is adorned with food wrappers and sticky hands – to gather information about Mecha Mutt. Irv asserts that he had performed a diagnostic test on the machine just before the demonstration and cannot fathom why it went haywire. Bemoaning his busy schedule preventing him from dating, the trio bid adieu. Meanwhile, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby stumble upon a large mechanical dog en route to Dr. Devon Albright’s office. It is revealed that Dr. Albright was the original creator of Mecha Mutt technology but holds resentment towards Dr. Staples who was assigned to her project in order to raise more funds.