Roku Picks Up Scrapped Disney+ SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES Series
By Movieguide® Contributor
Roku is picking up THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES after Disney+ announced the series would not be released on their streaming platform.
“It is an honor to bring THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, a spectacular adventure-filled story led by the incredible Christian Slater and Joy Bryant, exclusively to The Roku Channel,” Brian Tannenbaum, the head of originals for Roku Media, said. “We cannot wait to introduce this exquisitely crafted series, imagined by a world-class creative team, to millions of streamers.”
Nicole Clemens, president of Paramount Television Studios and Paramount+ Original Scripted Series, also released a statement about the pick-up; Paramount Television Studios is one of the show’s producers, as well as 20th Television.
“We are elated that THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES has found a new home and want to thank The Roku Channel for their passionate partnership,” she shared. “Our showrunner Aron Eli Coleite has crafted a beautiful series full of all the enchantment that made the books so beloved, and we can’t wait for audiences to meet these wonderful characters.”
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is based on the popular children’s book series of the same name.
Deadline reported that the series “follows the coming-of-age story of the Grace Family, as they move from New York to Michigan and into their family’s ancestral home. Upon arrival, the family not only uncovers mysteries hidden inside their great grandfather’s Spiderwick Estate, but also discovers a secret, fantastical world around them.”
The show was completed, but Variety reported in August that THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES was “no longer moving forward” at Disney and was “being shopped to other potential buyers.”
Movieguide® previously reported on the show’s cancellation:
Disney+ is scrapping plans to air an already-produced SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES series.
The eight-episode series was first announced in 2021, with a cast that included SHAZAM! star Jack Dylan Grazer, Joy Bryant, Christian Slater and Mychala Lee.
Canceling THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES series is just Disney’s latest move in its effort to “take a $1.5 billion write-down during the fiscal third quarter,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“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,” Deadline added.
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