By the mid-1980s, "The Rescuers" had become one of Disney's most successful animated features. Under the new management of Michael Eisner and Jeffrey Katzenberg, a feature-length sequel was approved, making it the first animated film sequel theatrically released by the studio. Following their duties on "Oliver & Company", animators Butoy and Gabriel were recruited to direct the sequel. Research trips to Australia provided inspiration for the background designs. The film would also mark the full use of the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS), in which it became the first feature film to be completely created digitally. The computer program allowed for artists to digitally ink-and-paint the animators' drawings, and then composite the digital cels over the scanned background art.