The 1990s animated series Gargoyles is entering a period of intense development across multiple media formats. Recent reports suggest that both live-action and animated reboots are currently in the works to bring the franchise to a modern audience.
The 1994-1997 legacy of New York's nocturnal protectors
The original Gargoyles series, which aired for three seasons between 1994 and 1997,remains a cornerstone of 1990s animation. Much like its contemporaries such as Batman: The Animated Series, the show was noted for its complex storytelling and darker tone. the story depicts a group of magical protectors from medieval Scotland arriving in modern-day New York City to defend humanity.
Since the show's conclusion in the late 1990s, the franchise has largely been sustained through comic book expansions. This long period of dormancy makes the current flurry of development news particularly significant for long-time fans of the series who have waited decades for a screen return.
James Wan and Gary Dauberman's live-action Goliath-centric vision
A live-action adaptation is currently being developed through a collaboration between James Wan’s Atomic Monster production company and Annabelle writer Gary Dauberman. According to reports, this project began in 2023 and aims to shift the narrative focus toward the central character, Goliath.
The proposed plot for this version would involve Goliath attempting to solve the mysteries of his past while navigating modern New York City alongside a human police detective. As Dauberman noted in 2025, the project remains in active development, signaling that the live-action route is a serious contender for the franchise's return .
Brent Spiner's podcast revelation regarding a new animated series
A new animated series may be closer to reality than previously thought, according to a recent comment from Star Trek actor Brent Spiner. While speaking on his podcast, Dropping Names with Brent and Jonny, Spiner suggested that the franchise is being brought back in an animated format.
Spiner was joined on the podcast by fellow original voice actors Jonathan Frakes and Michael Dorn. While the actor did not provide specific details regarding the production studio or the creative team, his comment has fueled speculation that an animated reboot is moving through the pipeline.
The stalled 2018 Jordan Peele movie and Ciro Nieli pitch
The current momentum follows several high-profile attempts to revive the franchise that ultimately failed to reach production. In 2018, the entertainment newsletter The Ankler reported that filmmaker Jordan Peele had expressed interest in a Gargoyles movie, but Disney was not prepared to greenlight the project at that time.
Similarly, animator Ciro Nieli, known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, attempted to pitch a new series in 2020. As Nieli shared on Instagram, that specific project never progressed beyond the initial pitch and concept art stages.
Despite these past setbacks, several questions remain regarding the current slate of projects. It is still unclear if the James Wan live-action project and the animated series hinted at by Spiner will exist within the same continuity, or if Disney+ will serve as the exclusive home for all upcoming Gargoyles content.
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