The creator of Gargoyles dismisses rumors about a live-action film with director Kenneth Branagh

Greg Weisman, the visionary creator behind the iconic animated series Gargoyles, has firmly refuted recent reports that acclaimed writer and director Kenneth Branagh is set to helm a live-action adaptation of the beloved 1990s cartoon. This revelation comes as a surprise to fans who had been intrigued by the idea of Branagh, the mastermind behind bringing Thor into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, taking on the challenge of reimagining the Gargoyles universe for the big screen.

The Gargoyles series, which originally aired from 1994 to 1997, captivated audiences with its unique blend of action and drama, along with its willingness to tackle complex and mature themes, including an award-winning episode addressing gun violence—a subject considered highly unconventional for children’s animation at the time. The narrative centers around a group of gargoyles displaced from their ancestral home in Scotland to modern-day New York City, where they embark on a journey of survival, identity, and heroism.

The notion of a live-action adaptation has tantalized fans for years. Disney initially began exploring the idea as early as 1995, during the show’s original run. However, the project faced a series of creative challenges, leading to multiple revisions and a prolonged period of uncertainty. The initial attempts leaned towards a darker tone, but subsequent drafts only added to the project’s complexity, eventually leading it into a state of developmental limbo.

In 2010, a new ray of hope emerged when Lauren Shuler Donner, known for her contributions to the X-Men film franchise, and Zoe Green, a prominent writer within the X-Men universe, undertook the task of crafting a film treatment for Gargoyles. This version, however, deviated significantly from the source material, using the animated series merely as a launchpad to explore new narrative avenues, much akin to the approach taken with the Pirates of the Caribbean films.

The possibility of a live-action Gargoyles adaptation resurfaced in 2019 when celebrated writer and director Jordan Peele expressed his interest in the project. Peele’s penchant for intricately weaving thought-provoking narratives with elements of suspense and horror seemed like a natural fit for the series’ intricate storytelling and mature themes. However, despite the initial excitement, this potential collaboration ultimately failed to materialize.

Now, the spotlight shifts to Kenneth Branagh, a multifaceted filmmaker renowned for his success in both acting and directing. With an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay under his belt for his work on Belfast, and multiple nominations in the Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay categories, Branagh’s creative prowess is undeniable. His propensity for breathing life into Shakespearean adaptations and his experience in shaping the realm of fantasy through his work on Thor align intriguingly with the world of Gargoyles, which boasts Shakespearean undertones and supernatural elements.

Branagh’s potential involvement also falls in line with a broader trend of accomplished directors bringing Disney’s animated classics to life through live-action adaptations. The likes of Robert Zemeckis, who directed a live-action version of Pinocchio, and Guy Ritchie, known for his work on the live-action Aladdin, have already contributed to this trend. Branagh’s unique background and artistic sensibilities offer a tantalizing promise of a fresh and compelling take on the Gargoyles mythos.

As the tale of Gargoyles’ journey to the big screen continues to unfold, the uncertainty surrounding its adaptation remains as gripping as the series itself. The clash of creative visions, the passage of time, and the interplay between animation and live-action all contribute to the intricate tapestry of this evolving story—a story that, much like the gargoyles themselves, seems to be caught between two worlds, waiting for its moment to come to life once again.

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