Disney+ has cancelled its planned live-action television series adaptation of the 1990s animated show Gargoyles, according to original series co-creator Greg Weisman.
The live-action project had been in active development since 2023 at the streaming platform, with screenwriter Gary Dauberman leading the adaptation alongside executive producer James Wan and his banner Atomic Monster. The decision brings an end to the revival before any cast members were announced or public production images were released.
Confirmation of cancellation
Confirmation that the project had been scrapped came directly from Greg Weisman, who co-created the original animated series in the 1990s. When asked about the status of the live-action adaptation, Weisman explained that the project was dead, adding that there were currently no active plans to bring Gargoyles to live action.
A source close to the production separately confirmed that Disney+ had decided not to continue developing the project. The decision marks the end of Disney's recent attempt to reboot the cult animated property into a dark, live-action drama for streaming.
Planned storyline and characters
The proposed live-action series was planned to center on Goliath, the ancient leader of a heroic race of gargoyle warriors who lived among human beings centuries ago. Bound by a medieval curse, Goliath and his clan were turned into solid stone for one thousand years.
The narrative was designed to follow Goliath after awakening in modern New York City, where he would attempt to unravel the mystery of his past while protecting the metropolitan population alongside police detective Elisa Maza. Creators sought to preserve the mature, atmospheric tone that distinguished the original 1990s television run.
Creative team behind the reboot
Disney+ originally assembled a high-profile creative team known for success in horror and supernatural thrillers to spearhead the live-action version. Screenwriter Gary Dauberman was hired in 2023 to write and oversee development of the show. Dauberman is best known for writing major horror feature films, including Stephen King's It and its sequel It Chapter Two, as well as multiple installments in The Conjuring Universe such as Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation, and The Nun.
Filmmaker James Wan was attached to the project as an executive producer alongside his production company, Atomic Monster. Wan gained international recognition as the creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises and director of The Conjuring, Furious 7, and Aquaman. His production house, Atomic Monster, has produced numerous horror and action projects across film and television.
Legacy of the original animated series
The original animated Gargoyles series was developed by Greg Weisman and produced by Walt Disney Television Animation, running for three seasons between 1994 and 1997. Weisman, who later went on to develop acclaimed animated titles including The Spectacular Spider-Man and Young Justice, crafted Gargoyles with complex multi-episode story arcs, Shakespearean influences, and a darker narrative tone than was typical for daytime children's animation in that era.
The animated plot followed a clan of Scottish gargoyles who originally defended Castle Wyvern in Scotland in the year 994. After being betrayed and cursed to remain frozen in stone until the castle rose above the clouds, the creatures were awakened in 1994 when a wealthy industrialist moved the stone fortress to the top of a Manhattan skyscraper. The gargoyles adopted New York City as their new home, protecting its citizens during the night while reverting to immobile stone statues during daylight hours.
In Spain, the original animated broadcast established a dedicated following when it aired on Radio Televisión Española's public channel La 2 under the local title Gargoyles, héroes mitológicos. During the 1990s, La 2 regularly featured afternoon animation blocks before Spanish television transitioned to dedicated digital children's channels.
Availability on streaming platforms
While the live-action reimagining will not move forward, the complete original animated property remains accessible to viewers. All three seasons of the 1990s animated series Gargoyles are currently available to stream on Disney+.
Disney+, which launched in November 2019 as the primary direct-to-consumer streaming service for The Walt Disney Company, continues to host the legacy animated library for both long-time fans and new audiences discovering the franchise.
