It seemed like the Gargoyles were finally making it back to the screen in live-action format, but hopes were quickly dashed by animated series creator Greg Weisman.
The show aired from 1994 to 1997, with a total of 78 episodes spread over 3 seasons. And even when there have already been several side stories based on the show, even in other formats, fans have been asking for a continuation, a reboot or a live-action adaptation since forever.
The show centered on a group of Gargoyles in the year 994, working as protectors of a castle under the leadership of Goliath. But they are betrayed, suffering great losses and only a few remaining to form the army of stone beings. As if that were not enough, the survivors are victims of a powerful spell that turns them into stone permanently. In the present, 1994 at the time, a billionaire moves much of the castle to his skyscraper in New York, causing the Gargoyles to awaken and become heroes of the city overnight fighting crime in the shadows. All with the help of detective Elisa Maza.
The series was truly revolutionary, not only because of the complexity of the characters and its connection to ancient history and mythology, but because it was a truly dark story for a children’s show, especially being part of Disney. But it was precisely those elements that made the show unique, and have led fans to tirelessly call for its return.
On Monday, The Belfast Telegraph published an article claiming that Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh was developing a live-action film to bring Gargoyles back to life, after several attempts. Unfortunately, it might not be true.
Gargoyles Creator Rapidly Answers Fans Concerns
It didn’t take long for fans to ask the series creator if the rumors were true via Twitter. However, he did not have good news for them:
“I’m thinking… that it’s flat-out not true.”
Despite Weisman’s answer, there is no doubt that the director of Thor would be a very good choice to take over the project. Kenneth Branagh’s directorial debut was in 1989 with Henry V, and since then he has managed to successfully mix his facets as actor, director and writer, even starring in some of his own films such as the recent Agatha Christie adaptations where he gives life to the famous detective Hercules Poirot.
A Haunting in Venice, the third adventure of Branagh as Poirot, is set to hit theaters this year. Joining the director will be Kyle Allen as Maxime Gerard, Camille Cottin as Olga Seminoff, Jamie Dornan as Leopold Farrier’s father, Tina Fey as Ariadne Oliver, Jude Hill as Leopold Ferrier, Ali Khan as Nicholas Holland, Emma Laird as Desdemona Holland, Kelly Reilly as Rowena Drake, Riccardo Scamarcio as Vitale Portfoglio, and Michelle Yeoh as Joyce Reynolds.
