When I saw "Disney" and "gargoyles" in the same headline on The Hollywood Reporter, I was sure that one of my favorite childhood shows would be experiencing a well-deserved encore. However, it sounds as if Disney's untitled gargoyle project will be a fresh slate:
The project seeks to build a mythology around the carvings, originally designed in medieval times to act as spouts but later took on roles as powerful symbols to ward off or attract evil. The story is being developed, but it is known to be set in modern times.
Intense mythology, modern setting--how could it not be the 1994 Saturday morning cartoon? Really, Disney shouldn't waste its time trying to break new ground, and should just bring back this surprisingly dark, funny series that still boasts a strong fanbase. Here's why:
1. A swelling of New York pride, since the members of the Manhattan clan name themselves after some recognizable streets/boroughs: Lexington, Brooklyn, Hudson, Bronx, and Broadway.
2. The writers spent years building in all manner of mythology, from Oberon's Children the fairies to King Arthur to Macbeth and all of his friends and allies.
3. The human-gargoyle love connection was somehow not at all icky... especially when Elisa got turned into a gargoyle! Let's see more of that.
4. Several strong characters of color, which is especially impressive for an animated series.
5. Mind-boggling genetic and cybernetic experimentation, making human hybrids.
6. Sympathetic but still evil villains: David Xanatos and Demona.
7. The score:
8. To bring back some of the excellent cast, including Keith David, Jonathan Frakes, and John Rhys-Davies.
9. The human characters' conflicts were just as engrossing.
10. The last episode ends with the gargoyles finally being accepted by humans--but we have to know what happened after that!
