Leaked ‘Powerpuff’ Trailer Shows Surprising Potential Despite Flaws

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It’s quite possible that the unofficial trailer for the abandoned live-action version of “Powerpuff Girls,” titled “Powerpuff,” has landed on your desk. Although this wasn’t meant to be seen by the public, clips from the proposed series were edited together to create a trailer that offered a glimpse into what could have been…and it was quite something.

The concept of a live-action Powerpuff Girls series focusing on the trio as they navigate their lives in their early 30s might seem like a humorous idea, and the footage presented appears reminiscent of a Funny or Die sketch due to its use of green screen compositing.

Originally unveiled in 2020, the unique concept of ‘Powerpuff’ and the revelation that Diablo Cody would pen it sparked a fair share of surprise, yet also piqued interest as one of the most anticipated pilots that year. With an illustrious cast featuring Chloe Bennett (from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) playing Blossom, Dove Cameron (known for The Descendants), and singer Yana Perrault as Buttercup, The CW declined the pilot in May 2021 and decided to revise it. Later, Chloe Bennett departed from the series, and by May 2022, the show was still under development before being finally canceled by Nextar, the new owners of CW, in May 2023.

Following the viewing of the footage, many may find themselves content that Powerpuff didn’t get broadcasted. Surprisingly, despite the numerous issues present in the footage, it didn’t turn out to be the catastrophic disaster one might anticipate. It’s evident that Diablo Cody had a unique creative vision for Powerpuff, a vision that would have delved into intriguing themes on paper, but ultimately faced insurmountable challenges from the very beginning.

Diablo Cody’s ‘Powerpuff’ Looked to be a Superhero and Child Star Deconstruction

Initially, when it was revealed that a revamped, more mature version of the classic Powerpuff Girls cartoon would air on the CW, many compared it to the Riverdale adaptation of Archie comics due to its darker tone and increased focus on teen drama, romance, violence, and eventually supernatural elements. Riverdale, in essence, reimagined the traditional Archie comics by incorporating elements found in successful teen dramas like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Pretty Little Liars, and Gossip Girl, and transposing them into the world of Archie. This shift made Riverdale one of CW’s most popular and eccentric shows. However, applying the Riverdale treatment to Powerpuff Girls seemed out of place given that they are child superheroes, making their storyline feel inappropriate.

Despite some questionable visual effects in the Powerpuff trailer, it’s evident that Diablo Cody’s concept leans towards “Watchmen-style reimagining of the Powerpuff Girls.” The trailer sets up this story as a deconstruction of traditional superhero tropes, even poking fun at the fact that fans of the Powerpuff Girls cartoon enjoyed the simplified and somewhat stereotypical portrayals of their stories much like how Logan did with X-Men comics. Cody’s adaptation aims to subvert the conventional roles we associate with these characters. In this version, Blossom, who was once the commander and leader, appears to be aimless in life now. Bubbles, known for her joy and laughter, seems to have become the most cynical character, possibly trying to stay relevant by selling merchandise. Buttercup, the toughest fighter, has transitioned into a first responder role, protecting others instead of fighting.

Reimagining popular children’s characters in a darker, more adult-oriented manner can sometimes be met with varied responses. On one hand, it may come off as a forced attempt to make content originally intended for kids more appealing to adults, similar to the Poohniverse horror films or the Michael Bay Transformers movies that heavily focus on U.S. military aspects. However, this reinterpretation can also serve as an enlightening process, much like Alan Moore’s work. In stories such as Watchmen and Miracle Man, Moore used the inherent innocence of superheroes to present more mature themes, often resulting in stark, poignant realizations. Given that Powerpuff Girls is a superhero story, it appears ripe for this type of deconstruction, and indeed, Powerpuff seems to have something significant to convey.

Cody is employing the Powerpuff Girls as a launchpad to explore the complexities surrounding child stars. Specifically, he’s questioning what it means to mature under the glare of public scrutiny and how the narrative shifts when a child star, especially a young girl, deviates from the pristine image the public has constructed for them. As these girls grow into women with their own imperfections and desires, they challenge the idealized public perception of innocence. This concept could serve as an intriguing foundation for a reimagining of Powerpuff Girls that offers fresh perspectives instead of merely replicating the original animated series (a la Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender).

In many ways, the themes that seem to be central in Cody’s creation of “Powerpuff” mirror her past projects. For instance, Juno explores how people’s perceptions of an individual change once they learn about their sexual activity, and pregnancy serves as a magnifying glass. Juno’s father even remarks, “I thought you were the kind of girl who knew when to say no,” to which she replies, “I don’t know what kind of girl I am.” Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron, portrays a woman struggling to move on from her past, while Tully delves into post-partum depression and contrasts a woman’s younger self with who they become. Both Jennifer’s Body and Lisa Frankenstein employ the horror genre to reveal the brutal side of high school and the treatment of teenage girls by their peers and society.

Having considered all factors, it’s quite understandable why I found myself attracted to Diablo Cody’s take on the Powerpuff Girls, given her unique perspective. However, the real question lies in whether this interpretation translates into a quality piece of work.

Execution Was Always Going to Be Key, and ‘Powerpuff’ Wasn’t Going to Deliver

Even though the concept behind Powerpuff appears intriguing on paper, filled with thought-provoking ideas to delve into, it ultimately boils down to the execution. A brief glance at the leaked footage reveals a noticeable disconnect between the original vision and the final product. The visual style of the series seems to be hindered by budget constraints. An attempt is made to replicate the iconic animated settings in real life, but instead of appearing impressive, these locations come off as cheap and artificial. This artificiality conflicts with many aspects of the series that aim for a more authentic feel, such as Bubbles peddling merchandise on Hollywood Blvd.

The show straddles two realms, yet can’t seem to commit to a single identity. If it had chosen either to portray a live-action version of an animated universe like “One Piece” or reinterpret the 1950s charm of the Archie comics for a modern setting as “Riverdale” did, “Powerpuff” might have been more successful. However, the inconsistency between its playful and realistic aspects serves to highlight its financial limitations.

From my perspective as a passionate movie-goer, it’s undeniable that the Powerpuff series, being part of the CW network, faced significant hindrances due to its budget constraints. Compared to other networks, the CW had a more limited purse, which was evident even during their grand DC storylines within the Arrowverse. As an ardent fan of the Arrowverse, I’ve come to accept that occasionally, one must overlook subpar visual effects to fully appreciate the narrative.

Generally speaking, people found enjoyment in this because they recalled how poor TV special effects once were and appreciated the progress made, while also being captivated by the compelling narratives and characters. Consequently, although the final battle against the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths may have seemed slightly artificial, it was tough to feel indifferent when the CW brought together several beloved characters for five consecutive nights, including Brandon Routh’s Superman and Tom Welling’s Smallville Clark Kent, in a thrilling tale that left many satisfied.

In contrast to the sincere tone of the CW Arrowverse series, the animated show Powerpuff was inherently cynical, making its audience more reluctant to accept its low-budget effects. Given its ambitions that likely surpassed the network it would have aired on, and considering that Powerpuff was pitched two years before Nextstar acquired the CW and eventually canceled most of their television lineup, Powerpuff probably wouldn’t have had a long run even if it was picked up. If Powerpuff had the budget of HBO, it might have managed to overcome its cynical nature. This cynicism could have also been detrimental to the series in terms of sustaining its popularity over time. The trailer for Powerpuff emphasizes the series’ main comedic premise: “Isn’t it amusing to see the Powerpuff Girls as adults?

This concept might have been suitable for a full-length film or a miniseries, but hypothetically, a 13 to 22 episode series on The CW, intended to run for multiple seasons. However, that joke would probably grow tiresome quickly, as seen in the show “Riverdale”. Starting with an impressive Season 1 featuring a compelling murder mystery with hints of supernatural elements, the series eventually veered away from its initial concept. By the final seasons, it delved into witchcraft, a meteor approaching Riverdale, alternate realities. The writers room of “Riverdale” was known for embracing the motto ‘no idea is a bad idea’.

If the Powerpuff series had continued instead of being canceled, its creators might have needed a fresh central concept. It seems possible they would have hinted at a grown-up version of Cartoon Network characters inhabiting the same universe. The Powerpuff girls could have encountered an older Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory or possibly Ed, Edd, and Eddy making their live-action debut as potential love interests. Another possibility is that the Codename Kids Next Door might have emerged from retirement to become the Codename Older Millenials Next Door. This would have transformed the series into a parody of shared universe stories, but it was presented with a serious tone.

The Powerpuff series appears captivating, but being intriguing doesn’t necessarily mean it’s high-quality. There’s a possibility that if this show had been aired, it might have faced widespread ridicule and eventually canceled by The CW’s new management. Despite the trend of reviving and remaking intellectual properties, Powerpuff at least seemed to originate from a strong creative vision like Diablo Cody, who expressed unique ideas rather than being just another studio attempt to squeeze more profit out of something, such as Madame Web or Kraven the Hunter. However, as Joker: Folie à Deux demonstrated, coming from a unique voice doesn’t automatically guarantee quality.

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2025-03-07 06:34