Whoever grew up with the TV program in the 90s couldn’t get around the “Gargoyles”. Now, new life is to be breathed into the flying super creatures: As a live-action series on the streaming service Disney+.
Disney is often taken as a synonym for family-friendly and colorful entertainment. In the portfolio of the mouse studio, however, there are also some productions that have always blown the grid a bit. In the 90s, this certainly included the animated series “Gargoyles – On the Wings of Justice”. This was conceived for a youthful audience, but nevertheless presented itself as surprisingly adult: hard action, which could sometimes really hurt, and a complex plot, which was told over three seasons, made the series interesting for an older audience as well.
These are the Gargoyles
Still today, the series is cultically revered by many fans – moreover, “Gargoyles – On the Wings of Justice” enjoys the reputation of being one of the best Disney series productions ever. So it’s no wonder that rumors keep making the rounds that the stories about the stone winged monsters will be reissued. Most recently, it was even said that a “Gargoyles” movie was in development, but unfortunately these rumors turned out to be false.
Now, however, it seems that there is movement again in the development of a live-action adaptation. As TheHollywoodReporter now exclusively reports, screenwriter Gary Daubermann (“ES”) and horror expert James Wan (“The Conjuring”) are to bring the stone justice fighters to new life – as a live-action series at Disney+.
Dauberman and James Wan, or rather his production company Atomic Monster, have worked together in the past, for example on the box-office horror hits of the “Annabelle” series. For the “Gargoyles” series, Dauberman will not only be responsible for the scripts and act as producer, but will also steer the series’ fortunes as showrunner. As with previous collaborations, James Wan will produce with his company Atomic Monster. Since the live-action reboot of “Gargoyles” is still in a very early stage of development, a series launch is not expected before 2025.
THIS IS WHAT “GARGOYLES “IS ABOUT
In Scotland in the year 994, the Gargoyles, powerful flying creatures that turn to stone by day, fight alongside humans. But they are betrayed and nearly exterminated. Only a small group of the once mighty creatures can escape the genocide – but seem to be turned to stone forever.
But no sleep lasts forever and so the last of their kind wake up in the New York of the present, where they want to abuse the rich industrialist David Xanatos (voice in the original: Jonathan Frakes) for his sinister plans. But the Gargoyles soon recognize his base motives and turn away from their supposed savior. Together with the policewoman Elisa (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) they fight from now on for the good and must cope with the pitfalls of the modern world.
Who now again really got a taste for the series: All three seasons of the animated cult production you can currently find in the streaming offer of Disney + – and look worth it, because especially in the original version is “Gargoyles – On the wings of justice” excellent cast. The characters are voiced by actors such as Keith David, Salli Richardson, “Star Trek” legends Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner, Ed Asner and John Rhys-Davies.
