As a child of the 90s, there are many shows that I look back on with great fondness. Disney’s DuckTales was certainly one of them, but that does not mean that it needs to be remade for “a new generation.” Unfortunately, Disney does not care what I think, so let’s get on with it: the network plans to make a new version of DuckTales to show on Disney XD.
Disney announced the planned DuckTales remake today, with assurances that the show will follow pretty much the same lines as the original. It will tell the tales of Scrooge McDuck, along with his nephews Huey, Dewie, and Louie, and the “temperamental” Donald Duck, as they travel the globe in search of adventure. For older fans, there will also be some of the well-known secondary characters on hand, including Duckworth, Gyro Gearloose,Magica DeSpell & Poe, Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys (Burger Beagle, Bouncer Beagle), Mrs. Beakley, Webbigail Vanderquack, and Launchpad McQuack – those names will make sense if you’ve ever seen the original DuckTales.
While I fear that this remake simply confirms that Disney is fresh out of new ideas, it’s difficult to fault making a new show based on a very popular old one. We can assume that the stories will be different, and the animation probably much cleaner than the original, but I suppose if they manage to preserve some of the wide-eyed integrity of the first DuckTales, this could wind up being a lot of fun. We can still watch the original on the WATCH Disney Channel app, and perhaps this new version will also drum up some interest in the old one.
The new DuckTales is being planned for a 2017 release on Disney XD channels around the world. You can check out the full press release below.
Whether you grew up on the Disney Afternoon, or you’re just a fan of iconic Disney animation, we think you’ll be excited to learn that an all-new DuckTales, an animated comedy series based on the Emmy® Award-winning series treasured by a generation of viewers, has been ordered for launch in 2017 on Disney XD channels around the world. Set to be produced by Disney Television Animation (DTVA), the new series will again star Disney’s enduringly popular characters: Scrooge McDuck, his grandnephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and Donald Duck. The announcement was made today by Marc Buhaj, Senior Vice President, Programming, and General Manager, Disney XD.
Buhaj said, “DuckTales has a special place in Disney’s TV animation history, 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.”
The new series’ adventures will once again take viewers along as Scrooge McDuck, his curious and mischief-making grandnephews—Huey, Dewey, and Louie—and the optimistic-yet-temperamental Donald Duck embark on high-flying adventures worldwide. Other beloved characters slated to be in the new stories are: Duckworth, Gyro Gearloose, Launchpad McQuack, Flintheart Glomgold, Magica DeSpell & Poe, Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys (Burger Beagle, Bouncer Beagle), Mrs. Beakley, and Webbigail Vanderquack.
A generation’s seminal cartoon, the Emmy Award-winning DuckTales led the daily syndicated cartoon block “The Disney Afternoon” with 100 episodes produced by DTVA from 1987–‘90. An animated theatrical film, DuckTales the Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp, premiered in 1990.
The original DuckTales is currently available on WATCH Disney Channel, an app that allows consumers to watch on tablet, phones, computer, and set top boxes.
Disney Interactive features several DuckTales-themed items in the Disney Infinity toy box. A music video of the familiar DuckTales theme song (with real ducks) has amassed more than six million views since September 2014 on the popular YouTube channel “Oh My Disney.”