One probably doesn’t think of the perpetually potty-mouthed Kevin SmithOpens in a new tab when they think of potential Disney-branded entertainment. But that is almost what happened not too long ago. A recent article from Attractions MagazineOpens in a new tab (via IGNOpens in a new tab) speculated about a Kingdom Keepers TV series and Smith’s involvement. The Clerks director revealed that Disney brought him on board a couple of years ago to write for a potential series based on Disney’s Kingdom Keepers YA book series. The series was meant to be a launch series for Disney+Opens in a new tab. However, a change in management meant the series never came to be.
That was a blast to write 2 years ago. It was planned as one of the first shows to launch on what would become @disneyplusOpens in a new tab. Then a new exec was put in charge of the app and he killed KK. Said we used too much @DisneyOpens in a new tab IP in one project (every character in the park comes to life). https://t.co/8izGTsg10HOpens in a new tab
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 5, 2020Opens in a new tab
Never mind that Smith renamed the characters after original ImagineersOpens in a new tab.
The Kingdom Keepers book series launched in 2005; it spanned eleven novels and eight years. Written by Ridley Pearson, this series told of the adventures of five kids who are holographic hosts in the Disney ParksOpens in a new tab by day. But at night, they do battle with classic Disney villains to keep them from taking control of the parks for themselves. According to Smith, the fact that so many different Disney IPs would be used for the series made the studio nervous. But Disney ultimately scrapped the project.
Disney Publishing
Smith shared that the same exec who decided to pull the plug on Kingdom Keepers later made the decision to greenlight The MandalorianOpens in a new tab and the upcoming Marvel series. It’s a trade-off Smith was happy to have. And although the series is dead for now, regimes change at studios all the time. Who knows? Maybe someone will revive the Kingdom Keepers series. It sounds like it could be an awesome, Night at the Museum style adventure series.
The @disneyplusOpens in a new tab exec may have scrapped Kingdom Keepers, but he’s also the guy who said “Let’s do @starwarsOpens in a new tab & @MarvelStudiosOpens in a new tab shows!” So as much as I would’ve liked to make my show, I’m much happier watching #TheMandolorianOpens in a new tab and can’t wait for #WandaVisionOpens in a new tab. #FanFirstFilmmakerSecondOpens in a new tab https://t.co/XPYoG5iTAyOpens in a new tab
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 5, 2020Opens in a new tab
However, finding a way to not film it at the actual theme parks might be another obstacle. But a show where a bunch of kids team up with Mr. Toad and the children from It’s a Small World to take on Maleficent? Sign us up!
Featured Image: View Askew / Disney Publishing
