10 Properties That Disney Could Update

Yesterday Disney announced that they were making a live-action movie based on Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers.  This is a nostalgic cartoon for many who grew up in the early nineties and is one of Disney's best television series.  There is of course a chance that this movie could turn into Alvin and the Chipmunks or The Smurfs, but in looking at the franchise there is a lot of potential for a really fun feature.  Here are ten other Disney properties that could succeed as a new movie or series.

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Not Disney's best cartoon, but still a lot of fun with a lot of cool designs.  This was a series based around the adventures of the "real" Buzz Lightyear in Star Command.  It expanded the roles of Zurg and the Little Green Men and added new allies and adversaries.  The series had an emphasis on comedy but with the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Wars, a more simple animated space adventure could find an audience.

The Coachman
I am not a huge fan of the idea of live-action movies about Disney villains.  Maleficent looks all kinds of awful and Cruella DeVil is pointless since there will not be a better live-action actress in the role than Glenn Close.  However the one Disney villain that could warrant a feature is The Coachman from Pinocchio.  This is one of Disney's best villains because there is absolutely no backstory given to him.  There are so many things that could be explored.  Where he got his island, why he doesn't care that Pinocchio is a puppet, why he doesn't care about his money, why is he obsessed with turning naughty boys into donkeys.  Cast Brian Dennehy in the role and you have a really eerie movie.

Elmer Elephant
There are several ideas I had for TV shows for Disney Junior.  I really think that an update of Adventures in Wonderland could work or new lessons from Ludwig von Drake would do well.  However I am surprised that Disney has never done anything with this Silly Symphony.  I ranked this as one of Disney's best Silly Symphonies, it is fun and feels just like a picture book.  These are pleasant, colorful designs that are just made for young audiences.  A cartoon or picture book series based on this would make for good educational entertainment.

Darkwing Duck
Newsarama ranked this as one of the best rogue's galleries of all time.  This is a Disney Afternoon series that maintains a strong cult following.  This character has even maintained his own comic book series a few times.  There is definitely a case of superhero overkill recently, but this is one of the best super subversions.

Ewoks

Ewoks.  You either love them or hate them.  The hate 'ems will definitely keep them from being in another Star Wars movie, but that just leaves them open for Disney to utilize them in their own franchise.  The Ewoks 1985 TV series does stand out among other eighties cartoons as having good character designs and writing.  It was a fun fantasy series that worked out well without having ties to the larger Star Wars universe.  I really love the backdrop of Endor and personally I love the Ewoks.  A new movie or series could be fun.  Although I do not think we need another live-action Ewok Adventure.

I would suggest an update of the Droids cartoon if only to use this awesome theme song.

Kim Possible
Part of me thinks that this would not work in live-action at all.  All of the characters are too caricatured and making the tone the series had more serious or more hokey would ruin it.  However this are big fun adventures with great characters that Disney should do something with it.  If they could find the right actors then a live-action movie or TV series would be really cool, like a James Bond for Disney.  But another cartoon, an animated feature or comic book series would be good to look into.  Still a large fan base for this.

Kingdom Hearts
Honestly, I haven't played the games because I just don't play video games.  But I am aware of the enormous following and what I have seen of this looks awesome.  I don't think that it needs an exact film adaptation, but rather just an ultimate Disney team-up.  If The LEGO Movie does as well as I think it will, then Disney should have their own ultimate team-up movie.  A movie not just combining the characters featured in the games but also Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, The Muppets and everything awesome Disney has access too.

Uncle Scrooge Adventures
If Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers succeeds then another DuckTales movie seems like an obvious follow-up.  However I would just adapt something truer to the Carl Barks comic books featuring Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck and their nephews.  These are some of the most beloved comics of all time and they have inspired several famous movies (or at least came up with them first).  There has not been a great adventure movie in a long time and Disney could do something really unique and different with these fun stories.  

Adventures of the Gummi Bears

No matter how ridiculous this title and premise sounds this is one of TV's best fantasies.  The series certainly focuses on funny cartoon gags, but there is a high fantasy feel to it and a lot of adventure elements.  There is definitely a feature film here somewhere.  Sort of like a Lord of the Rings for younger audiences.  The main group of inventive bouncing bears and their medieval forest setting certainly would make for something fun and truly unique.

Gargoyles
This was the obvious choice for me.  An enormous fan base who swears by this series as well as dedication from its creator, Greg Weisman, who wrote its recent comic book series.  The idea of Gargoyles coming to life in present day New York offers a lot of opportunities for action and incredible visuals.  These are fun characters that are really well designed.  I can see an update of this working as a Marvel Comic, feature film or even primetime series on ABC (live-action or animated, could work).  This is an action fantasy story that is unlike any other.

Best of Walt Disney Television Animation

20. Aladdin (86 episodes, 1994-1995, Disney Afternoon and CBS)
The Aladdin spin-offs took on a life of their own as they are able to stand apart from the classic movie and remain entertaining despite the noticeable animation drop.  This series takes place in between the sequels Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves (both animated by Walt Disney Television Animation as well).  This show had its own villains and sense of adventure and fantasy.  Also made a great use of Iago as comic relief and works towards making Jasmine a more independent character.

19. House of Mouse (52 episodes, 2001-2003, One Saturday Morning)
This was a very fun, creative idea.  It features shorts from the previous series Mickey Mouse Works, the shorts themselves are serviceable albeit unspectacular.  However the inside jokes and the unique pairings of Disney characters from all over the studios library are just perfect.  Any Disney fan will get a kick out of seeing these favorite characters in a casual nightclub setting.

18. Bonkers (65 episodes, 1993-1995, Disney Afternoon)
Clearly inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit but found its own identity.  Bonkers is a fun lead character and the wacky cartoon setting leads to a lot of fun.  The series also featured several cameos and references to other characters.

17. The Weekenders (39 episodes, 1999-2002, One Saturday Morning)
The ABC children's block One Saturday Morning showcased educational cartoons (which fulfilled the FCCs three hour of educational/instructional programming requirement).  However even though the series really only qualified as educational due to them being set in school a lot of them were pretty entertaining.  Weekenders was a fun play on preteen stereotypes that featured a likable lively cast.  It also had an awesome theme song from Wayne Brady.

16. Pepper Ann (65 episodes, 1997-2001, One Saturday Morning)
One of the initial One Saturday Morning series, and while it never reached the popularity or marketability of Recess and Disney's Doug it managed to last for most of the block's run.  On the surface the show seems pretty bland and standard but it gets pretty wacky and absurd despite its overly suburban setting.  A lot of fun supporting characters and Pepper Ann herself is a strong lead.

15. Goof Troop (79 episodes, 1992-1993, Disney Afternoon and ABC)
While this series is very good it is notable for the reinvention of Goofy as a father.  While he had played a father several times in shorts in the fifties it was just for laughs, here he has a realistic relationship with his son Max who is a great kid character.  Goofy really makes sense as a father figure, he is embarrassing but clearly sincere.  The show led to the beloved A Goofy Movie and its fun sequel An Extremely Goofy Movie which both stand on their own as great features.

14. Dave the Barbarian (21 episodes, 2004-2005, Disney Channel)
This absurd series was far too short-lived, but it clearly stood out amongst Disney Channel's tween shows.  A lot of goofy humor and a unique art direction.  Feels a lot more like a Nicktoon but it is a very good one.  Fun little comedy with a distinct setting.

13. Teacher's Pet (39 episodes, 2000-2002, One Saturday Morning)
Far more stylized than the usual Disney fare, but its individuality really makes it work.  The style of Gary Baseman is appealing but irreverent.  The series, while not a huge hit on TV, led to a theatrically released feature that was received extremely well critically.

12. Fillmore! (26 episodes, 2002-2003, ABC Kids)
One of the last great series to premiere on Saturday mornings and the only original series on the ABC Kids brand.  The show plays it very much like a straight detective drama but it is broad enough to be interesting to younger viewers.  The show was well plotted and had some decent mysteries.

11. The Replacements (52 episodes, 2006-2009, Disney Channel)
When I first saw the premise of this show I thought that it would never last.  Did not see a lot of potential of two kids have a phone that allows them to replace adults.  However the show found creative ways to use the gimmicks and the characters were strong enough to stand on their on without the gimmick.  The lead characters are all fun, especially the parents who are plays on Evil Knievel and Emma Peel from the British Avengers.  The series has especially strong voice work (particularly from Daran Norris and Kath Soucie as the aforementioned characters.  Not many have seen this show but it is a great one.

10. TaleSpin (65 episodes, 1990-1991, Disney Afternoon)
I have no idea where the premise of placing Baloo from the Jungle Book as a pilot came from, but you know it really worked.  This series just had such a unique setting and great energy.  One of those early Disney Afternoon shows that perfected a balance between adventure and comedy while showcasing appealing artwork.

9. Darkwing Duck (91 episodes, 1991-1995, Disney Afternoon and ABC)
This show has remained popular among the nostalgic and had a well received comic book run a few years ago.  Newsarama actually named this series as featuring one of the best all time rogue's galleries.  Would be interesting if Marvel picked up the franchise and did something with it, still an audience that loves it.

8. Mickey Mouse (13 ordered shorts, 2013, Disney Channel)
May be placing this too high too early, but I have really been enjoying the few shorts that have been released and they have been getting a lot of attention.  The series differentiates itself from the classic Mickey shorts well and is able to stand on its on by its individual style and surrealism.  Hope that this lasts longer than 13 shorts because it could go a long way to reinvigorating Mickey's career.

7. New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (50 episodes, 1988-1991, ABC)
My all time favorite television series.  Love the imagination in it along with the simplicity and innocence of it.  Everyone gets used perfectly, including Gopher who has not been used much since.  The television animation friendly character redesigns and voice actors were reused until the computer animated series My Friends Tigger and Pooh in 2006.  This show aired consistently until 2007 and led to several spin-off specials and movies as well as episodes of the series being featured on several video releases.

6. Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (65 episodes, 1989-1990, Syndication and Disney Afternoon)
Much like TaleSpin and Goof Troop this is a great example of using classic characters in a different setting really works.  Chip 'n Dale anchor a new memorable supporting cast.  Just fun adventures that are amusing at any age, this was on of my favorites growing up.

5. Kim Possible (87 episodes, 2002-2007, Disney Channel)
This show grew such a fan base that its internet following successfully campaigned for a fourth season. The show features a great lead ensemble and colorful rogues gallery.  Perfectly blended tween drama, cartoon comedy and high action to have something for everybody.  A great example how a show featuring a female lead can succeed across demographics.

4. Adventures of the Gummi Bears (94 episodes, 1985-1991, NBC, ABC and Disney Afternoon)
I ranked this as the third most important series of the animation renaissance.  This series was Disney's first television animated success and represented a huge jump forward for television animation.  The effort and high budget Disney put behind this shows and it paid off as this series led directly to every other cartoon on this list.  The fun fantasy was one of the best cartoons of the eighties and still holds up.

3. Recess (65 episodes, 1997-2001, One Saturday Morning and Disney's One Too)
Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere handled this familiar setting with the same creativity and heart as they did with Rugrats.  This series works because of its strong grasp and subversion of child archetype's.  It was fun to watch this show because we all went to a school like this and knew kids like that.  The cast is likable and the adults are just as fun (especially Dabney Coleman's Principal Prickly).  This series had a lot of staying power and led to a well received theatrical movie.  Surprised that this one is not airing anymore.

2. DuckTales (100 episodes, 1987-1990, Syndication)
This is Disney's greatest television success and remains culturally significant.  Perfect theme song, likable cast, fun big adventures.  Everyone loves DuckTales.

1. Gargoyles (78 episodes, 1994-1997, Disney Afternoon and ABC)
This series has such a massive following and it is easy to see why.  This series has a scale to it, there is magnificence in the artistry and quality in the writing.  It is a unique premise that thrives in its dark tone.  It is one of Disney's strongest cult following and I am surprised that they have not revisited it as a new series or theatrical feature.