John Rhys-Davies Voiced a Classic Disney Villain 7 Years Before Lord of the Rings

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Though Disney’s wasn’t its biggest hit, the urban sci-fi series still holds a special place in many hearts, reminding us of cherished childhood memories. Airing for the first time in 1994 and running for three seasons, the show produced a total of 78 episodes. The unique appeal of its stoic main characters was enough to win over countless viewers, leading to a reboot of the series on Disney’s streaming platform.

It’s worth noting that the bulk of the series was produced during its second season, with only 13 episodes each for the first and third seasons. In stark contrast, Season 2 boasted an impressive 52 episodes. This shift in production marked not only a change of ownership at the broadcasting station (which happened to be Disney), but also the departure of many key creatives from the show. However, let’s save that story for another time. The series is known for its compelling narratives, which are brought to life by a skilled ensemble of voice actors. Some of these actors, like Ed Asner, had already made their mark in other productions, such as Star Trek. The main cast is indeed impressive, but the wider recurring cast includes a future star from Lord of the Rings.

Disney’s Gargoyles

  • The creative team formally concluded Gargoyles’ story in its second season, as nobody expected Disney to renew the show.
  • While a traditionally animated film has been discussed since the show’s creation, nothing has ever come from these talks.

If you haven’t watched the original Saturday Afternoon airing of the series “Gargoyles,” let me clarify its title. This show revolves around characters that are fittingly called gargoyles, who can move only during the night. The main group originates from what was once the Scottish Goliath clan and now dwells in New York City.

The sudden move of the primary characters from the tranquil medieval Highlands to the lively streets of New York City in 1994 comes as a significant surprise. To make matters more perplexing, they find themselves residing on top of a skyscraper. Consequently, the newly formed “Manhattan Clan” appears bewildered. As they soar above the clouds, the previously dormant creatures gain freedom to wander the world at night, and their awakening is far from serene.

Stepping out from their enchanted confines, these stone guardians now patrol our city streets, dishing out justice reminiscent of legendary vigilantes. As leader of this formidable group, Goliath (Keith David) and his trusted advisor Hudson (Ed Asner) seamlessly blend the roles of commanders and nurturing figures. It’s a challenging task, but their resilience makes them an ideal team.

John Rhys-Davies in Gargoyles

  • Despite the series’ critical success, its Season 2 viewership steeply declined thanks (in part) to widespread coverage of the O.J. Simpson trial pre-empting most new Gargoyle episodes.
  • Three of Season 1’s leading writers polished their skills by working on Batman: The Animated Series before moving to Gargoyles.

Although no members of the primary Gargoyles team could ever be considered as potential stars from The Lord of the Rings series, one morally ambiguous antagonist from the show can lay claim to that title. Before Peter Jackson’s trilogy came to fruition, John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli in it, was already providing his voice for Macbeth.

Indeed, while most of the events in the animated series “Gargoyles” unfold in the year 1994, its rich history actually traces back to the year 994 CE. In the show’s narrative, the former King of Scotland is cursed to be bound with Demona (played by Marina Sirtis), a wicked and murderous member from the Wyvern clan. Although Rhys-Davies’ character appears in the first season, it isn’t until Season 2 that his true complexity is unveiled.

To be fair, Macbeth can’t be categorized as a traditional villain. He’s bound by a curse to the main antagonist and his intense emotions force him into some questionable actions. The ex-king, who has a mysterious immortality, isn’t inherently evil; he acts according to what he thinks is necessary to defeat Demona.

It’s intriguing to note that the character of Macbeth was initially intended for Stewart, who was even approached for the role. However, his representatives declined the offer, which might have spelled doom for some productions. Luckily, the success of Gargoyles wasn’t solely dependent on its star-studded cast.

Above all, fans concur that Rhys-Davies was undeniably the ideal selection for this role. His silky voice and restrained demeanor lend an unparalleled air of dignity to the character. It’s not that Patrick Stewart as Macbeth wouldn’t be exceptional; he’s a renowned voice actor, after all. However, Rhys-Davies’ portrayal is remarkably captivating. This instance of casting perfection couldn’t have graced a more deserving — or legendary — series.

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2025-05-18 04:20