While I was watching the newest episode of The Rookie, I checked on other shows where I’d been waiting for the new season to drop. One particular show was Disney+ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Imagine my shock and disgust when I read this article announcing the show’s cancellation. Worse yet, Disney canceled the show even though they had already completed Season 3, forcing the talented team behind the show to keep it secret!
WTAF, Disney?!
Latonya Pennington, author of the article, The cancellation of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur has us missing Disney’s 65-episode rule, articulated how we as viewers felt about this — I’m just going to say it — betrayal. How Disney did little to advertise and provide merchandising for this wonderful series. With so few shows featuring black female protagonists, Disney’s decision was like a slap in the face of Beautiful Black Women and Girls. Kids and adults enjoyed Moon Girl. I would have liked to have written a script for it.
According to Google (the following information was AI generated):
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur won several awards at the 2023 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, including: [1, 2]
- Outstanding Animated Special: For the “Moon Girl Landing” special
- Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series: Won by Sam Riegel
- Outstanding Main Title: Won by the show
- Casting for an Animated Program: Won by the show
- Individual Achievement in Animation: Won by Kaz Aizawa
The show was also nominated for nine Children’s & Family Emmys. [3]
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur also won an Annie Award for Best Character Design for Jose Lopez. [4]
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is a Disney Channel and Disney+ animated series based on the Marvel comic. The show follows a young genius named Moon Girl and her T-Rex companion, Devil Dinosaur. [5, 6]
[2] https://kidscreen.com/2023/12/18/disney-dominates-childrens-family-emmys/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkfZwfe9rjs
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8W61fw62sM
[5] https://www.instagram.com/wilsonmoralesfilm/p/C0-rcJrAQX1/
(The above information was AI generated)
I asked the question, “Why did Disney cancel Moon Girl?” This came up:
(The following information is AI generated):
According to reports, Disney reportedly canceled Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” after deciding to shelve an episode focused on a transgender character, named Brooklyn, which highlighted her identity and faced opposition from a coach during a volleyball game, leading to controversy over the show’s handling of LGBTQ+ themes; this episode, titled “The Gatekeeper,” was pulled from the broadcast schedule despite the series being otherwise well-received. [1, 2, 3]
Key points about the cancellation: [1, 2, 3]
- Transgender storyline: The main reason cited for the cancellation is an episode that prominently featured a trans character and her experience facing discrimination in sports. [1, 2, 3]
- “The Gatekeeper” episode: This specific episode, where Brooklyn confronts a coach questioning her right to play, was reportedly removed from the broadcast schedule. [1, 3, 4]
- Disney’s stance: While Disney hasn’t officially confirmed the cancellation due to this episode, sources have indicated that concerns over the sensitive topic played a role in the decision. [1, 2, 5]
[4] https://cosmicbook.news/disney-pulls-woke-moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-episode-following-trump-win
[5] https://www.avclub.com/disney-scrubbed-trans-rights-episode-of-moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur
The music, the story, the character development were near perfect! And they ended it on a CLIFFHANGER! Now, there is one less compelling example of Black Girl Magic.
I found no evidence of anyone complaining, but I could be missing it, or maybe it’s being kept under wraps. If anyone knows anything, please comment. And if someone did, then shame on you Disney for — to coin a phrase — letting the Wookie win.
Peace~
Wendy
Author WA Simpson 