Unprecedented Move: Popular Canceled Disney Plus Series Finds Lifeline with an Unexpected Savior

Highlights

The Spiderwick Chronicles show, originally planned for Disney Plus, will now be released on Roku in early 2024 after being canceled due to cost-cutting decisions.

Disney reportedly rejected the adaptation due to its darker tone, as it did not match the platform's typical content, consisting of Marvel and Star Wars. This acquisition of The Spiderwick Chronicles marks a significant step for Roku, primarily relying on acquired content, as they eagerly anticipate presenting this expertly crafted series to their viewers.

The Spiderwick Chronicles, a beloved children's book series, has found a new way to bring its world to life through a show created for Disney Plus.

The series follows the Grace children as they move into the Spiderwick Estate and uncover the existence of mythical creatures, leading them on magical adventures. These adventures ultimately culminate in a high-stakes battle against evil, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. The live-action adaptation of the series has been approved for production on Disney Plus and is set to begin in 2022. This decision was likely influenced by the success of other fantasy series available on the streaming platform.

Unfortunately, Disney's plans for the Spiderwick Chronicles show have been canceled due to cost-cutting decisions. As a result, Paramount TV Studios and 20th Television are now searching for a new network to air the already-completed project. However, there is good news. Deadline has reported that after a month of uncertainty, the series has found a new home on Roku, a rival streaming platform. The release of the series is set for early 2024. It appears that aside from the general cost-cutting measures, the eight-episode adaptation of the children's book series was deemed too dark for Disney Plus. This platform, which includes the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, most canon Star Wars content, and more, may not have been the right fit for the darker material.

The Spiderwick Chronicles' new home on Roku is a triumph for Paramount. They have recently implemented cost-cutting measures, leading to the cancellation of Star Trek: Prodigy. In response, dedicated fans flew a banner over streamer HQs in an effort to save the series. Paramount TV Studios President Nicole Clemens expressed her gratitude to The Roku Channel for their passionate partnership and praised showrunner Aron Eli Coleite for creating a captivating series filled with enchantment. The franchise is poised for a reintroduction into popular culture, a fact that Disney likely recognized before prioritizing their own extensive list of company-owned IPs.

This new acquisition marks Roku's most significant move in some time, as it has predominantly relied on acquiring content, such as Quibi's catalog, to strengthen its streaming library. Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals at Roku Media, expressed his pride in bringing The Spiderwick Chronicles, a thrilling adventure led by the talented Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel. He eagerly anticipated introducing this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.

Disney Plus may have missed out on The Spiderwick Chronicles, but the streaming platform still has a strong appeal to its target audience with the highly anticipated Percy Jackson adaptation. Unlike previous adaptations in the franchise, the Disney Plus Percy Jackson series has already addressed the mistakes made in the films, as evident from the promotional material. The success of both The Spiderwick Chronicles and Percy Jackson shows can only be speculated until they are released. Viewers can look forward to The Spiderwick Chronicles premiering on the Roku streaming service in early 2024.

Source: Deadline