Disney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell Apart

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Disney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell Apart

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  • All the Disney Villains Try Taking Over the World
  • Why Was Kingdom Keepers Stopped?

As a lifelong Disney enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the magical world of animated films and theme parks, I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness when I think about the potential that was lost with the cancellation of the “Kingdom Keepers” adaptation.

Many people are aware that a significant number of popular Disney movies are adaptations from books. For instance, the 1989 movie The Little Mermaid was based on an 1837 fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast in 1991 was inspired by a 1740 novel, and Aladdin, dating back to the late 1200s. Although these timeless stories are synonymous with both Disney and animated films, it’s worth noting that a relatively recent book series could have produced Disney’s best movie yet. This captivating story was penned by Ridley Pearson, featuring villains like Maleficent, Captain Hook, Cruella De Vil, and “the most potent demon ever created by Walt Disney,” attempting to conquer both Disney Theme Parks and the world. Would you like to learn more about this intriguing tale?

Over more than a decade, from 2005 to 2014, I found myself immersed in the captivating universe of the Kingdom Keepers series, a magical realm suitable for both young and old readers alike. In the first installment titled Disney After Dark, we were introduced to five teenage characters who served as holographic hosts within Walt Disney World. This digital guide system, though seldom used for their jobs, allowed Finn, Willa, Charlene, Maybeck, and Philby to traverse the parks during the heart of the night while they slumbered. However, these thrilling out-of-body adventures took a dark turn when they discovered something was gravely amiss. It seemed that Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, with her sinister intentions, had infiltrated the park and aimed to corrupt not just Disney World but the entire world as well.

All the Disney Villains Try Taking Over the World

Disney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell ApartDisney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell ApartDisney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell Apart

Stepping into the realm of Disney-bound literature, I must say that the initial book in the “Kingdom Keepers” series sets a promising foundation for what becomes an intriguing and often overlooked franchise from the last decade. As the story unfolds across eight more titles, it introduces a myriad of characters and events that make this captivating tale one of Disney’s hidden gems.

Initially, Disney historians might find it intriguing and humorous to see characters such as Jafar, Ursula, and Shan Yu from Mulan displaying malevolent characteristics. With treacherous paths and unexpected challenges for our youthful explorers (who are attempting to save the world using tools inspired by Walt Disney’s artwork), Kingdom Keepers was surprisingly overlooked for a movie adaptation, which is unfortunate. However, there was a period when this well-liked series was under consideration for a Disney+ transformation at the very start of the streaming service’s launch.

Approximately four years ago, during a discussion on the Fat Man Beyond podcast about geek culture, director Kevin Smith and L.A. Times film editor Marc Bernardin addressed an intriguing question from the audience regarding owning any fictional technology from TV or movies. In response to Mr. Bernardin’s selection of the Danger Room from X-Men as his one wish, Smith pointed out that a similar reality, created by Disney through their use of “the volume” – an expansive soundstage comprised of interconnected 20-foot screens – already exists.

Later, he shares his account of physically encountering the wall during a “tech day” when Disney was working on the possible Kingdom Keepers show. However, this detail was brushed aside for a more in-depth exploration of The Mandalorian’s groundbreaking technology. It’s intriguing to ponder the possibilities of experiencing a simulated Disney Park (especially at night) through the power of a volume. Regrettably, Smith shared on X that nothing materialized from it a month later.

Why Was Kingdom Keepers Stopped?

Disney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell ApartDisney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell ApartDisney Almost Adapted Their Best Story but the Plans Fell Apart

Despite his enjoyment in contributing to the script’s creation, the project ultimately failed due to a new executive’s decision. They argued that having too many Intellectual Properties (IPs) appearing together made the project unfeasible. In a later tweet, Smith conceded that this might have led to an “Avengers of Disney.” Given that the Kingdom Keepers series eventually features more than 50 main characters and over 70 familiar antagonists, it’s possible that the unknown Disney executive who halted the long-anticipated show was correct in their assessment. However, Smith humorously pointed out that this justification for canceling the project didn’t seem justified, as this same executive had approved all Star Wars and Marvel productions.

Picture this for a spell: I, as a devoted cinephile, envision an extraordinary scenario unfolding – Tia Dalma from the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, Maleficent, and the Wicked Queen teaming up to resurrect the colossal demon Chernabog, hailing from Fantasia. In this tale, when our heroes charge in, igniting a whirlwind of action, Will, our protagonist, impulsively lunges at the soothsayer, only to discover his own hand had struck his dearest comrade instead. This narrative might seem like wild fan fiction, yet in a parallel universe, such a story could have graced our screens. Here’s wishing that the captivating saga of Kingdom Keepers remains a cherished idea within the hallowed halls of Walt Disney Studios. For those eager to immerse themselves in this intriguing book series, it can be purchased on Amazon.

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2024-09-17 03:02