Disney+ will reportedly not be moving forward with their already announced “Nautilus” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles” projects. These shows getting the axe is a part of the still-ongoing cost-cutting measures by the studio. The company plans to cut $3 billion in non-sports content spending across the board.
“Nautilus” is a 10-part adventure series based on Jules Verne’s classic novel, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” A book that Disney already adapted into a film in 1954. The series tells the origin story of the iconic character, Captain Nemo, and his famous submarine, The Nautilus.
The series reportedly focused on Nemo, played by Shazad Latif (“Star Trek: Discovery“), an Indian Prince robbed of his birthright and family. He is held prisoner by the East India Company and becomes set on revenge against the forces that took everything from him. Once he sets sail with his ragtag crew on board the Nautilus, he not only battles with his enemy, he also discovers a magical underwater world.
The series is already completed, and the production team is currently shopping for a new home.
First announced on Disney+ Day in November 2021, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is an eight-part series based on the best-selling books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. The show is a contemporary American gothic coming-of-age story about a family moving from New York to Michigan. Twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory and their mother take charge of their run-down ancestral home—The Spiderwick Estate. Only to find themselves pulled into an alternate, fantastical world.
It stars Christian Slater, who has a deal to play villain Mulgarath for one season. Alongside Jack Dylan Grazer, Lyon Daniels, Noah Cottrell, Joy Bryant, and Mychala Lee. Since the show has already completed filming creators Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television, are currently shopping it to other potential buyers.
Disney’s belt-tightening across the board is causing them to scrutinize programming, with a shift in focus to content curation. “We are in the process of reviewing the content on our DTC services to align with the strategic changes in our approach to content curation,” then-Disney CFO Christine McCarthy said before exiting the company. “As a result, we will be removing certain content from our streaming platforms, and currently expect to take an impairment charge of approximately $1.5 to $1.8 billion.”
Over the past couple of months, dozens of original series and specials have been taken off Disney+ and Hulu. Disney CEO Bob Iger also announced a pullback in Marvel Studios and “Star Wars” content for the platform.
We’ll keep you posted on “Nautilus” and “The Spiderwick Chronicles” hunt for a new home.
