Movies

Emilio Estevez Pitched All-Female Mighty Ducks 4 to Disney

BBG News

In an unexpected disclosure, Emilio Estevez has shared that he penned a complete screenplay for the upcoming Mighty Ducks sequel movie. On the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, Estevez expressed his desire to rectify aspects of “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers” on Disney+, and in doing so, he chose to write a full-length script for “Mighty Ducks 4”.

But his idea might not be what longtime fans were hoping for.

estevez openly expressed his strong displeasure with the short-lived Disney+ revival series “Game Changers,” in which he reprised his role as Coach Gordon Bombay. He chose to part ways with the show following its first season due to contractual disagreements and creative conflicts, but his latest remarks indicate a more profound dissatisfaction. Regarding the show’s production, he frankly stated, “I aimed to rectify all the mishaps that occurred during the ‘Game Changers’ series.

The revival series Game Changers, which was meant as a contemporary sequel to the original trilogy, fell short of recapturing the warmth and wit that made the ’90s films so popular. Instead, it relied heavily on current trends, transforming the Ducks into an elite team and introducing a group of misfits to play the underdog role. On paper, this concept mirrored the essence of the originals, but in execution, it faced issues with tone and pace. The departure of Estevez after a single season left a significant gap, and viewers quickly noted a decline in the show’s spirit and appeal. In the end, it ran for only two seasons before being taken off Disney+ promptly afterward.

In the draft for Mighty Ducks 4, Bombay finds himself in the spotlight again, this time managing roller derby teams. However, his old friends, portrayed by Joshua Jackson and Kenan Thompson, lure him back to hockey not for a new Ducks team or even a junior league. Instead, they ask him to coach an expansion women’s professional hockey team comprising only girls.

According to Estevez, Bombay insists, “My girls are going with me. They have to have a shot.”

He characterized the script as appealingly contemporary and innovative, but this contradicts the essence of the Mighty Ducks series, which has traditionally revolved around a rite-of-passage sports narrative focusing on young boys, camaraderie, and tenacity.

Girls were never left out of the Ducks’ group; from the start, Connie Moreau was a key character in the initial trilogy, and Julie “The Cat” Gaffney gained popularity in the sequels. The team was already made up of an assorted mix of people across different ethnicities and genders, banding together to achieve something remarkable. The original films didn’t require the sidelining of male characters or a restructuring of the team dynamic to be inclusive; instead, they had already mastered both inclusivity and compelling storytelling.

As a film enthusiast, I find it disappointing when Hollywood reshapes beloved franchises like Mighty Ducks 4 into gender-flipped versions that seem less like a genuine evolution and more like ticking a box on their checklist. It’s not just this movie; many cherished properties have experienced similar transformations, with varying outcomes. From female reboots to overhauls of established franchises, it appears that studios are more focused on chasing trends than staying true to what initially made these properties successful.

As a die-hard fan, I found Disney’s decision to pass on Estevez’s proposal quite surprising, given their recent penchant for reinventing their properties. It seems they often sacrifice what initially made these stories beloved in the process. Whether it was a moment of prudence or just a lack of enthusiasm for carrying on the series, Disney appears to have dismissed Estevez’s idea without much internal deliberation.

It’s uncertain if Estevez’s script will ever be released, and Disney hasn’t made any public comments regarding his statements. However, his remarks contribute to the unfolding story of The Mighty Ducks, a popular boys’ sports franchise that is currently navigating through the ongoing mix of nostalgia and transformation.

Currently, the Flying V is kept on the ground. It might actually be advantageous under these circumstances – for the supporters who recall the factors that initially propelled this team high, and for the enduring reputation of a team that doesn’t require a revamp to stay significant.

Read More

2025-04-21 21:56

Previous post Tokyo Titans Double Down on Bitcoin—And No, They’re Not Just Adding Coffee Funds ☕💸
Next post Why did D’arcy Wretzky leave the Smashing Pumpkins?