Attractions Magazine

Theme park and attraction news, rumors and videos.

  • Subscribe & Shop
  • Members
  • News
  • Videos
  • About Us

April 5, 2020 By Matt Roseboom 2 Comments

‘Kingdom Keepers’ isn’t coming to Disney+, but it led to ‘The Mandalorian’; Kevin Smith gives details

Email
Share
Pin4
Tweet
Share250
254 Shares

We have good news and bad news. First the bad news: A show based on “Kingdom Keepers”, the Disney theme park novels by Ridley Pearson, isn’t coming to Disney+. The good news? Its demise may have led to “Star Wars: The Mandalorian”.

Yesterday, we wrote about how on a recent episode of the Fatman Beyond podcast, filmmaker Kevin Smith mentioned working on a potential Disney+ show, “Kingdom Keepers”, and how there wasn’t any official word about the show, but that maybe Disney was at least considering it.

Today, Smith replied to our Tweet about the story, letting us know the show was in development a couple of years ago, and was since canceled:

That was a blast to write 2 years ago. It was planned as one of the first shows to launch on what would become @disneyplus. Then a new exec was put in charge of the app and he killed KK. Said we used too much @Disney IP in one project (every character in the park comes to life). https://t.co/8izGTsg10H

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 5, 2020

Later this morning, Smith went live on his official Facebook page, telling the whole story of the show’s development and ultimate cancelation, and how one thing led to another and the cancelation of “Kingdom Keepers” ultimately led to “The Mandalorian” and Marvel shows on Disney+, and even Smith’s upcoming animated version of “Masters of the Universe: Revelation” show on Netflix.

The @disneyplus exec may have scrapped Kingdom Keepers, but he’s also the guy who said “Let’s do @starwars & @MarvelStudios shows!” So as much as I would’ve liked to make my show, I’m much happier watching #TheMandolorian and can’t wait for #WandaVision. #FanFirstFilmmakerSecond https://t.co/XPYoG5iTAy

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 5, 2020
Russell Brand as Captain Hook, one of a series of promotional portraits by Annie Leibovitz.

On his Facebook live stream, Smith tells how the show was going to be his version of the story, mashed up with author Pearson’s “Kingdom Keepers”. Smith made the story like the “Avengers of Disney” with lots of different characters. Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse were characters, and the main villain was Captain Hook, who Smith wanted to be played by Russell Brand. Smith had the show written and ready for production when it was canceled.

Here’s the full story from Smith himself. (Warning, adult language)

Rev Kev’s Sunday Morning Sermon:Bad Stuff Happens But Good Stuff Results

Posted by Kevin Smith on Sunday, April 5, 2020

Imagineer Kevin Lively tweeted how much he enjoyed reading Smith’s story treatment of Kingdom Keepers:

Thanks, man! It was written with love by a kid who grew up watching “The Wonderful World of Disney” with his family every Sunday night. I renamed the main characters after the original team of Imagineers who worked w/ Walt. Felt like they overpaid me to write @Disney fan fiction! https://t.co/GpZypWuWYK

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 5, 2020

So where does that leave Kingdom Keepers fans? We suggest you let Disney+ know you’d still like to see the show happen. Here’s a link to our step-by-step guide on how to officially submit suggestions to Disney+. As they say, no good idea is ever dead.

Email
Share
Pin4
Tweet
Share250
254 Shares

Filed Under: Disney, Slider, Television, Theme Parks Tagged With: Disney, disney plus, kevin smith, kingdom keepers

Comments

  1. Thomas says

    April 5, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    As a fan of the series growing up, maybe we could start a petition to get them to revitalize the show.

    Reply
    • Logan says

      April 20, 2020 at 8:40 am

      Yes! We need to!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

New Issue

Attractions Magazine Winter 2020/21

Winter 2020/21

• Tokyo’s Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
• Visiting Florida locations with ‘The Right Stuff’ 
• High-Flying Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Q&A: Andy Mulvihill’s untold story of Action Park
• Then & Now: Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Versus: American Adventure Vs. The Hall of Presidents
• Top 10 International Disney Theme Park Attractions
• Resort Report: New JW Marriott Bonnet Creek
• Grinchmas Through The Years
PLUS News, Rumors, Games and Much More!
Visit our Store or Click Here to order yours.

Free E-Mail Newsletter

Home | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | Refund Policy | Ad Info
© 2021 Dream Together Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.