UPDATE: Biegel has since deleted his tweets.
In April 2017, Freeform ordered New Warriors straight to series. Unfortunately, despite assembling a promising young cast and filming a pilot that received rave ratings, the series never moved forward at Freeform. Since then, fans have curiously awaited an answer as to why the show was not retooled or even moved to a different service. It would seem showrunner Kevin Biegel (Enlisted, Cougar Town) is ready to unveil details regarding the stalled project, including exactly what caused its sudden cancellation.
Before Marvel Studios overtook Marvel Television, Marvel Comics’ teen heroes had overtaken the small screen thanks to Hulu (The Runaways) and Freeform (Cloak & Dagger). Which is why New Warriors seemed to be a great addition to the line-up when it was first announced. Unfortunately, as things would go, the series would not move forward despite having been ordered to series, and the rumored stellar pilot would go forever unseen. Thanks to Biegel, however, we at least have a chance to see what could have been.
There’s a show we wrote a few years ago
It was very very proudly gay
A SINGULAR power that be killed the show.
Because it was too gay.
A rich, straight, Brentwood turd.
He got fired for being vile at his company.
We, on the other hand, live. #newwarriors
In a late-night thread on Twitter on Wednesday, Biegel briefly hinted at why the show did not move forward, careful not to unveil any specific names. While Ike Perlmutter would seem to be the likely culprit, there’s also the possibility of Biegel’s comments being in reference to Jeph Loeb, who ran Marvel Television until Kevin Feige disbanded the division.
In recent years, Loeb has been accused of inappropriate conduct, including racist behavior, as cited by Daredevil actor, Peter Shinkoda. The Nobu actor revealed Loeb’s racist remarks during a #SaveDaredevil appearance last year stating, “He said, ‘Nobody cares about Chinese people and Asian people.” Loeb, of course, was let go after Marvel Television dissolved with Kevin Feige overtaking the television arm.
Biegel also shared a look at Milana Vayntrub as Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl, with Tippy-Toe atop her shoulder.
While it’s doubtful the pilot will ever see the light of day, we at least have a sneak peek at what could have been. It’s just unfortunate we’ll never get to see his take on New Warriors ever truly realized.
