There is definitely trouble brewing for the Lizzie McGuire reboot which was set to premiere on the Disney+ streaming service.
We’ve learn that the show’s original creator and showrunner Terri Minsky has quit — only two episodes into shooting the new show, which has now stalled production.
A Disney spokesperson told Variety that , “After filming two episodes, we concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the show.”
It is not clear what this “new direction” will entail, as the reboot was supposed to have picked up with Lizzie as a 30-year-old living in New York City, while trying to navigate adulthood.
Now, it is being speculated that Disney is trying to cater to a younger audience than was originally agreed with Minsky and Duff.
This comes in the wake of Disney moving another reboot Love, Victor from Disney+ to Hulu saying it does not fit the streaming service’s “Family friendly” vision.
The Lizzie McGuire reboot
Last summer Disney fans were happy to hear that the much loved show would get a reboot..
We learnt that actress Hilary Duff would reprise the role of Lizzie McGuire; the character she played when she was only 13 years old.
The 30 year old actress shared her excitement about the show’s return on her Instagram page along with a video clip of the long running Disney series, saying, “SURPRISE!!! I’ve been trying to contain this excitement for a loooong time while this has been in the works! I am beyond excited to be home again, back with my girl ♥️…and into her 30’s”
The actress also said that she was a little intimidated about reprising her role, stating,”I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little intimidated. I’m like, “Where is she in there?” She is in there; she is me.” She added, “When I was 13, it was such a big part of me…I just have to tap into that and be very authentic to that.”
Original cast members including Adam Lamberg, Robert Carradine, Hallie Todd and Jake Thomas had also signed on to join the show.
Hilary Duff shares her views
After news broke about Love, Victor, Hilary Duff hinted that Lizzie McGuire could meet a similar fate. She screenshot an article of the Love, Victor story with the caption, “sound familiar”
Since then, Hilary has shared her views about the ongoing issue with the Lizzie McGuire reboot, which has now been halted until Disney finds a new showrunner to replace Minsky.
The actress says she actually wants Lizzie McGuire moved over to Hulu so that it is not limited by the PG restriction of Disney+.
The mom of two shared her opinion in an Instagram post .
Let’s hope Disney does indeed take the show to Hulu, so that fans who have grown up with the lovable character can experience a realistic evolution of Lizzie McGuire.