Disney is breathing new life into its animated cult classic from the 90s, “Gargoyles,” by transforming it into a live-action TV series for its streaming service, Disney+. To bring this beloved show to life, Disney is teaming up with two prominent names in the horror film industry: James Wan’s Atomic Monster production company and Gary Dauberman. According to The Hollywood Reporter, these two powerhouses are in the early stages of developing the live-action adaptation.
James Wan, known for his work on The Conjuring franchise and as co-creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises, as well as directing Aquaman, is the creative force behind this new project. Gary Dauberman, a frequent collaborator of Wan’s and the writer of the Annabelle movies, will serve as the showrunner, writer, and executive producer of the live-action Gargoyles.
Originally airing for three seasons from 1994 to 1997, Gargoyles stood out from your typical Disney cartoon. It offered a more complex and darker tone, revolving around a clan of nocturnal creatures known as gargoyles. These gargoyles, who turned to stone during the day, were accompanied by police officer Elisa Maza. The story unfolded as the clan, previously living in a castle in Scotland, was betrayed by humans and subsequently cursed to be frozen in stone. Fast forward a thousand years later, and the gargoyles awaken in New York City, opting to protect the city as its guardians during the night.
While the announcement of a live-action Gargoyles series is exciting, opinions on Disney’s previous remakes may influence viewers’ expectations. Whether this new rendition will do justice to the original animated series remains to be seen. It is likely that the show will heavily rely on CGI to stay faithful to the source material, and this raises concerns. Disney has faced criticism for its use of CGI in recent films like The Little Mermaid and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, with critics finding the visuals visually unappealing and subpar.
Despite these reservations, fans of the original Gargoyles series are eagerly awaiting the live-action adaptation. The dark and intricate themes explored in the animated show captured the imaginations of viewers, and they hope that the production team can successfully translate those elements into a live-action format.
As the project is still in its early stages, details about casting and release dates are yet to be revealed. However, with the combination of Disney’s backing, the talent of James Wan and Gary Dauberman, and the timeless appeal of the Gargoyles story, expectations for the live-action TV series are high.
The decision to bring back Gargoyles as a live-action series is part of Disney’s strategy to capitalize on the nostalgia of the 90s and early 2000s. With the success of other live-action adaptations such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, Disney recognizes the audience’s appetite for revisiting their favorite childhood classics in a new light.
Furthermore, Disney+’s streaming platform provides the perfect opportunity to revive these beloved properties and introduce them to a new generation of viewers who may not be familiar with the original animated series. The popularity of streaming services has sparked a wave of reboots and revivals of nostalgic TV shows and movies, and Disney aims to capitalize on this trend.
While the live-action Gargoyles series is still a work in progress, it is undoubtedly an exciting endeavor for fans of the original show. The combination of Disney’s resources, James Wan’s creative vision, and Gary Dauberman’s expertise in the horror genre sets the stage for a promising adaptation. As the project continues to develop, fans eagerly await updates and prepare to once again be enthralled by the fantastical world of Gargoyles.