Update: The much anticipated Disney+ series, Book of Enchantment, which had not been formally ordered but was eyeing a May 2020 production start in the UK is no longer moving forward at the upcoming streaming service per Deadline's exclusive. Deadline notes that the darker tone of the backup scripts had executives feeling uncertain as they weren't expecting such a tone. Efforts to add some light into the project were made but ultimately didn't resolve this issue. It's noted that $4 million was spent on the potential series and whilst it is not moving forward the studio remains interested in the IP and a new take may arise in the future. I recommend reading Deadline's full article as they have a whole bunch more information on the creative issues the project faced.
I hear the decision was largely creative, related to show’s tone and direction. It came down yesterday when the project was shut down 13 weeks into a writers room where a team had been working on scripts.
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Much like Once Upon a Time which mined the world of Disney and beyond for fairytales on ABC, Disney+ is aiming to do the same with Book of Enchantment per Deadline.
The project is being developed for the upcoming family-friendly streaming service, Disney+. The series is an adaptation of the Villains book series written Serena Valentino which features some of Disney's iconic and popular villains such as Beast (from Beauty and the Beast), Gothel (from Tangled), Ursula (from The Little Mermaid), the Evil Queen (from Snow White) and Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) per Goodreads.
Book of Enchantment hails from Michael Seitzman (Quantico, Code Black), ABC Signature Studios and Seitzman and Christina Davis' Maniac Productions. The project has been in development for more than 6 months with Seitzman creating a bible for the series and penning the pilot. Seitzman will also serve as the showrunner which is currently hiring writers for a writer's room expected to open in April.
The series has not been officially ordered as the budget is still being discussed but locations are being scouted in the UK for a 2020 shoot.
Deadline notes the series is envisioned as an epic universe that weaves classic Disney tales told in a brand new way.
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Below is the synopsis of Mother Knows Best: A Tale of the Old Witch (aka Gothel from Tangled). Bear in mind, these books might not be the actual premise of the series but instead, inspire inspiration for the potential Book of Enchantment series. You can find all the synopsis for the rest of the series, which covers 5 books, here on Goodreads.
The tale of the legendary golden flower is widely known. The story has been told many times and in many ways. But always the flower is coveted by an old witch to keep herself young and beautiful. And always the flower is used to save a dying queen, who then gives birth to a princess with magical hair. Not willing to lose the flower, the old witch steals the princess and locks her away in a high tower, raising her as her own. But the princess always finds out who she truly is and manages to defeat the old witch.
And yet this is only half the story. So what of the old witch, Mother Gothel? Where does she come from? And how does she come across the magical golden flower? Here is one account that recounts a version of the story that has remained untold for centuries . . . until now. It is a tale of mothers and daughters, of youth and dark magic. It is a tale of the old witch.
And yet this is only half the story. So what of the old witch, Mother Gothel? Where does she come from? And how does she come across the magical golden flower? Here is one account that recounts a version of the story that has remained untold for centuries . . . until now. It is a tale of mothers and daughters, of youth and dark magic. It is a tale of the old witch.
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