One of the biggest and most defining moments in every 80’s/90’s kid’s life was when we discovered that swimming in a massive sea of gold coins is impossible…mainly because most of us will never actually have the opportunity to try, but also due to it being physically impossible anyway. Nothing makes a millennial grow up faster and more humbly than this reality check.
From the late-80’s until the mid-90’s, life was like a duck-blur, with an avalanche of animated ducks spawned from the DuckTales cartoon, encouraging us kids to solve a mystery…or rewrite history…or at least neglect our pants.
No but seriously…where are their pants?
Back in February, Disney XD announced a revival for the DuckTales cartoon in the old-timey animation style of the original. Not a lot more information was available until now, when Disney rolled out a short teaser and promo image to present an example of the animation style. But first the teaser, because it answers a massive question that had us all worried: will this new cartoon reuse that perfect intro that became the defining theme song of all our childhoods, or will they try to turn it into some kind of dubstep/hip-hop hybrid in a desperate attempt at appealing to a younger generation? check out the teaser below and you’ll find out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0IZCoylsLE
Woo-oo
Now that we can all relax and breathe freely again, we can take a closer look at the promo image for the new show, which is featured below. One notable fact is that pilot Launchpad McQuack is back, and so continues the good news. After DuckTales ended its 4 season run, Launchpad went on to become a sidekick for another massive duck cartoon, Darkwing Duck (and yes, we are hoping and wishing that Darkwing Duck gets his own much deserved resurrection as well). Donald Duck also gets his due in the image. Donald was a major character in the original comics created by Carl Barks, but only made a few guest appearances in the original cartoon out of fear (from the studio) that he would overshadow Uncle Scrooge.
Webbigail rounds out the crew as the lone female presence. Originally, she did not have as many episodes as Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and was generally the least liked character for many viewers. The reboot appears to rectify this unfortunate circumstance, giving her the most obvious redesign (compared to the designs of the other characters, who mostly look the same as the originals, minus a few tweaks).
What we know so far about the reboot is that it will feature 21 episodes, half-hour in length, and will have two 1-hour specials. The exact release date remains unknown, aside from it being in the summer.
The first promo image, from earlier in 2016.
The original cartoon ran from 1987 until 1990, maxing out at 100 episodes. It was an adventure story featuring Donald’s nephews, as he dropped them off with their great Uncle Scrooge before going off into the navy. In 1990 Disney also released a film, DuckTales: Treasure of the Lost Lamp.
One final fun fact: George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were fans of the original Uncle Scrooge comics, and it just so happens that Indiana Jones was not the first adventurer to be attacked by a massive boulder after stealing a relic.
Deja Vu, anyone?
The adventure setting of DuckTales calls for a seemingly endless array of possibilities, which is why it’s a nice surprise to see it resurface. Will you be tuning in? or, if you have kids, will you use the opportunity to tutor them in tales of derring-do bad and good luck tales? While we wait for news on the exact release date, I will sign off with this theme song below…which will forever be my ringtone.
Major update as of 12/16/16!
Disney has announced the cast of the new DuckTales through a YouTube video, showing them singing the theme song. The biggest news is that David Tennant, one of our favorite doctors from Doctor Who and the evil Kilgrave in Jessica Jones, is officially our new Uncle Scrooge (Ducktor Who, anyone? No? Ok). Tennant has some big webbed-feet to fill, after original actor Alan Young passed away on May 19, 2016, at the age of 96. However, we have no doubt that pulling off a rich, Scottish duck is within Tennant’s many talents. Other comedic talents include Dani Pudi (Abed Nadir in Community), Ben Schwartz (Jean-Ralphino in Parks and Rectreation) and Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) for nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. Talent for Webby Vanderquack, Launchpad McQuack, and Mrs. Beakley is included in the announcement video as well. See it below!
By: Michael Gonzalez