Disney to reboot DuckTales. What other cartoons will be revived?
“DuckTales” is returning to a television near you.
On Wednesday, cable channel Disney XD announced that it would be bringing back the Emmy Award-winning animated series that stars the grouchy-yet-lovable Scrooge McDuck, according to multiple reports.
The original series, which ran from 1987 to 1990, is based on the Duck universe comic books, and followed the adventures of Uncle Scrooge, his three grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and the excitable Donald Duck as they capered about the city of Duckburg.
All five characters will reportedly be reprising their roles in the new show, as will Scrooge’s butler, Duckworth; the scatterbrained but brilliant Gyro Gearloose; the clumsily valiant Launchpad McQuack; the motherly Mrs. Beakley; and the animal-loving Webby Vanderquack.
Villains Flintheart Glomgold, Magica De Spell, and the Beagle Boys will also be making a comeback.
"’DuckTales’ has a special place in Disney's TV animation history,” Marc Buhaj, senior vice president of programming and the general manager of Disney XD, said in a statement. “It drew its inspiration from Disney Legend Carl Barks' comic books and through its storytelling and artistic showmanship, set an enduring standard for animated entertainment that connects with both kids and adults.”
"Our new series will bring that same energy and adventurous spirit to a new generation," he added.
The new “DuckTales” is slated for a 2017 release – but there’s plenty out there for viewers who can’t wait that long to see their favorite kids’ shows come back to life.
Last week, Cartoon Network confirmed the 2016 reboot of fan favorite “The Powerpuff Girls,” which followed “sugar-coated superheroes” Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup as they went to school, triumphed at hopscotch, and tried to save the world, all before bedtime.
“As the original ambassador of girl power, ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ brand continues to resonate with people of all ages and there is tremendous excitement around introducing Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup to a new generation,” Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products for North America, Cartoon Network Enterprises, told Variety in June.
In an effort to amp up its kid-friendly content, film and television streaming service Netflix has also ordered the revamp of a number of beloved cartoons.
First on the list is Scholastic Media’s “The Magic School Bus,” a show based on the book series of the same name. The 90s cartoon featured science teacher Ms. Frizzle and her class who, in their quest for learning, would board the eponymous vehicle for field trips to such unlikely places as outer space or the human digestive system.
“The Magic School Bus 360°,” set to launch 2016, will feature computer-animated versions of the original characters, who will have access to modern technologies, The New York Times reported.
Netflix also acquired rights to other Scholastic Media titles, including “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Goosebumps,” according to the Times, but the streaming company didn’t stop there.
In October, Netflix announced plans to launch “Care Bears and Cousins,” a revival of the 80s animated series “Care Bears,” CNN Money reported.
Earlier this month, the company added “Inspector Gadget” and “Danger Mouse,” two more popular 80s cartoons, to their list.
Why bring back the old and repackage it as new?
"A lot of it is just 'trusted brand,'" Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos told CNN Money – or, as the site put it, "parents are likely to let their children watch a new version of a show that they themselves used to watch."
