Issues change rapidly within the media panorama, and evidently latest political occasions in the USA have allegedly already induced points for one collection. An episode from the hit animated collection Moon Lady and Satan Dinosaur has leaked on-line following claims that Disney canned it over the inclusion of an LGBT+ storyline.
Whereas there hasn’t been any official phrase from the studio, stories gathered by the animation outlet Toon Hive speculate that it’s as a result of new political local weather, because the episode facilities round a transgender character named Brooklyn (Indya Moore). This was corroborated by the collection’ storyboard revisionist, Derrick Malik Johnson, in a now-deleted Bluesky submit, that learn:
“So guess I lastly received hit with one of many initiatives (episode) I labored on is getting shelved due to which occasion that gained the latest election. It breaks my coronary heart realizing this impactful and superb is now about to be take into account a misplaced media episode.”
The episode, entitled “The Gatekeeper” couldn’t, in reality, be gatekept because it has now been leaked in full on-line. Misplaced Media Busters revealed on X (previously Twitter) that the well-known unlawful streaming website, Owlphibia, launched the episode on YouTube. On the time of writing, “The Gatekeeper” remains to be out there for followers to observe. The plot revolves round Brooklyn, who’s competing on lady’s volleyball crew, dealing with discrimination from a “narrow-minded coach” who needs to have her faraway from the sport.
Animation Creators React to Stories About ‘Moon Lady and Satan Dinosaur’s Canned Episode
The information of Moon Lady and Satan Dinosaur’s cancelled episode isn’t sitting nicely with creatives within the animation trade. It’s coming at a tumultuous time when The Animation Guild is at the moment in negotiations with the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Producers (AMPTP) for higher wages and safety towards AI. A number of animation creators shared their reactions to the information, together with Emma Cicirega, storyboard artist on Gravity Falls and DuckTales who posted to herher X account, saying, “Disney needs to be ashamed of themselves for canning this episode. You don’t get to approve, approve, approve one thing after which destroy it on the final minute, shattering the crews’ arduous work and hopes.”
Amphibia creator Matt Bralyresponded to Cicierega’s submit with perception concerning the behind-the-scenes means of the episode’s creation, saying, “If an episode received this far, it was accepted a number of occasions by a number of divisions, solely to instantly be struck down on the final second? Complete breakdown of course of and spitting in your crew’s cautious/considerate work. S&P accepted this ep. It was good to go.” For context, S&P is brief for “Requirements and Practices,” which is Disney’s evaluate board.
Braly then added his personal emotions on the matter, “The motion being preemptive makes it a lot worse to me. Absolutely the cowardice and second guessing when really that is when this content material is required most.” Braly wasn’t the one creator with robust opinions. A submit from indie animation author Dave Capdevielle, who labored on the pilot for Hazbin Lodge, was shared by The Owl Home’s Dana Terrace, who didn’t mince phrases.
Collider has reached out to Disney representatives for remark and clarification about why the episode was eliminated. We are going to replace this text with any response. Season 2 of Moon Lady and Satan Dinosaur will premiere in 2025. Regardless of having a 100% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and being extensively praised by critics, the collection was cancelled forward of the second season.
Stream on Disney+
