A live-action remake of Disney’s Gargoyles is in development years after the original show was canceled for various reasons. In the early 1990s, kids’ morning TV ventured into a unique realm of animation with Gargoyles, a series that stood out for its dark, gothic storytelling, complex characters, and rich mythologies. The show revolved around a group of ancient gargoyles who awaken in modern-day New York City. As they navigate the challenges of the modern world, they often come into conflict with powerful adversaries and grapple with their own internal dilemmas. The series originally lasted for three seasons, but despite its early success and fervent fanbase, it was eventually canceled.
Now, almost 30 years after its original run, a live-action remake of Gargoyles for Disney+ is in development with some major names involved (via THR). The new show will be produced by James Wan’s (Annabelle, The Conjuring, Saw) Atomic Monster production company, and Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home, Salem’s Lot) will serve as the series showrunner. The two filmmakers are big names in the horror sphere, hinting that the live-action series will be even darker than the original Gargoyles. While the announcement is good news, it still remains uncertain whether the show will fill the void that the original series’ cancelation left.
Gargoyles Was Canceled After A Poor Season 3
Gargoyles was celebrated for its departure from the typical children’s programming, which was especially unexpected from Disney when it picked up the show for season 3. The show weaved intricate plots that appealed to both young and mature audiences alike, casting a wide net when it came to potential viewers despite being much darker than anything else Disney was developing at the time. However, the show underwent significant changes with season 3 (via Collider). There was a noticeable shift in the production team with Greg Weisman, the original creator, no longer overseeing the project. This absence led to altered narrative directions that didn’t resonate well with the core audience.
Additionally, the third season, titled “The Goliath Chronicles.” was met with criticism due to its episodic nature, as opposed to the serialized approach of the previous seasons which also set it apart from other children’s programming. Characters were perceived as less dynamic too, and many story arcs felt forced or underdeveloped. OJ Simpson even helped kill Gargoyles, as his trial was being aired when Gargoyles should have been on. Consequently, viewership declined, and the once-celebrated series experienced diminishing returns. Given the competitive landscape of television in the 1990s, the declining ratings, combined with rising production costs, made it unsustainable for Disney to continue the show, leading to its unfortunate cancelation.
Gargoyles’ Live-Action Remake History Explained
The legacy of Gargoyles has endured, with fans continually expressing their love for the series and hoping for a revival. While the franchise has been shelved since the animated series was canceled after its third season, Disney tried to make a Gargoyles movie in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Around the same time that the studio made 2010’s The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Disney attempted to make a Gargoyles-in-modern-times reboot. In 2011, Disney hired David Elliot and Paul Lovett (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), to write the screenplay. While that unfortunately never came to fruition, one other big-name filmmaker attempted to develop the project.
Jordan Peele, who directed the Academy Award-winning Get Out, and followed that incredible directorial debut with the even more terrifying Us and the head-spinning sci-fi horror Nope, pitched his own version to Disney in 2018 (via Slash Film). Peele was going to be even more hands-on, as he wanted to direct the movie, but Disney obviously didn’t pick it up. Nevertheless, there has been major headway in developing a live-action remake with horror visionary James Wan’s Atomic Monster production company, though details about the live-action Gargoyles remake are still sparse.
Sources: THR, Collider, Slash Film
