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Would The Promise Of More "Muppets' Get You To Pay For Disney's Streaming Service?

By Tori Preston | Streaming | February 21, 2018 |

By Tori Preston | Streaming | February 21, 2018 |


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By now, you’ve probably heard that Disney is planning its own direct-to-consumer streaming service, similar to the way HBO offered a standalone streaming option called “HBO Now” (not totally to be confused with “HBO Go,” which is the streaming service you get with your TV subscription. Got it?). As far as we know, Disney’s service doesn’t yet have a name, a firm launch date (Fall 2019 is the goal), or a price point (though it’s supposed to be cheaper than Netflix). While we have practically no information about “Disnetflix GoNow” (as I’m calling it) aside from the fact of its existence, we are starting to hear about some of the family-friendly programming that will maybe, possibly be offered on it. Like a reboot of The Muppets!

Per The Hollywood Reporter, sources say Disney is looking for a writer to tackle a new take on the Jim Henson classic. And if you’re feeling a weird sense of déjà vu at this news, that’s because there already WAS a Muppets reboot… like, yesterday. It aired on ABC for a season, and was cancelled in 2016.

But hope springs eternal, and so do funny puppets, and honestly I’m a sucker for anything Kermit & Pals related. I’m even moderately hyped for the new Muppet Babies cartoon that’ll be launching on Disney Junior, even though the CGI animation style makes me want to stand downwind of a raging bonfire and let the hot ash just blow in my eyeballs.

But back to Disnetflix GoNow! Other new TV shows that are in the works include adaptations of The Mighty Ducks, Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., and High School Musical. Then there are the film reboots, which will comb through Disney’s live-action catalogue for candidates like Honey, I Shrunk The Kids and The Parent Trap.

Oh, and there might also be a few (live-action?!) Star Wars shows in the mix…

But it sounds like Disney is still making some big programming moves for it’s channels too. Marvel TV announced that they are developing an animated adaptation of the Marvel comic Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, to be produced by Marvel Animation and Cinema Gypsy Productions. Cinema Gypsy is run by Laurence Fishburne (The Matrix) and Helen Sugland, producers of black-ish and grown-ish — and Fishburne himself will be playing Marvel superhero Dr. Bill Foster (“Goliath”) in this summer’s Ant-Man and the Wasp! Though the cartoon is being considered for one of Disney’s signature TV channels, it’s too early to tell when and if it will come to fruition. But, c’mon. It HAS to, especially after seeing the reaction to Shuri in Black Panther. Kids need more examples of diverse women in STEM, and the cartoon adventures of nine-year-old super-genius (and smartest hero in the Marvel Universe!) Lunella Lafayette with her trusty red dino friend would be another amazing step in the right direction. Please make it happen.

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