Disney Not Moving Forward With Live-Action Series Adaptation of THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES Even Though It's Completed
Disney has decided not to move forward with its live-action series adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles. The eight-episode series has already been completed, and it was developed by Paramount Television Studios and 20th Century Television. The project may no longer be coming to Disney+, but it’s currently being shopped around to other potential buyers.
Based on the series of bestselling books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, “The Spiderwick Chronicles is a contemporary American gothic coming-of-age story that addresses kids and families dealing with mental health issues among other relevant topics. Upon leaving New York and moving to Michigan and into their run-down ancestral home—The Spiderwick Estate—with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate, fantastical world.”
Deadline explains the reasoning behind Disney’s decision not to proceed with the series saying: “The decision comes as Disney — along with other media companies — have been reevaluating their streaming strategies by cutting programming costs with a renewed focus on profitability. It is part of the major content write-off announced by Disney in May.”
Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said at the time: “We are in the process of reviewing the content on our DTC services to align with the strategic changes in our approach to content curation. As a result, we will be removing certain content from our streaming platforms, and currently expect to take an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 to $1.8 billion.”
After that, Disney removed dozens of original series and specials from Disney+ as well as Hulu. The Spiderwick Chronicles was going to be one of the few non-Disney IP coming to Disney+ that was also coming from an outside studio. Disney is now looking to lean more into Disney-owned IP. But, they do still have they upcoming Goosebumps series from Sony TV, and a new Doctor Who installment from BBC.
Kat Coiro directed the first two episodes of the series, a modern coming-of-age story combined with fantasy adventure. Christian Slater was set to star in the series a the villain Mulgarath, and the rest of the cast icludes Jack Dylan Grazer, Lyon Daniels, Noah Cottrell, Joy Bryant, and Mychala Lee.