In 2023, The CW pulled the plug on a highly anticipated live-action series featuring the beloved Powerpuff Girls, following numerous challenges during its development. Recently, a teaser video that surfaced online has given fans a glimpse into what the show could have been, and it's certainly sparked conversation.
The video, initially posted on the "Lost Media Busters" YouTube channel, was swiftly removed due to a copyright claim by Warner Bros. Entertainment. Clocking in at three and a half minutes, the trailer set the stage for a darker, more mature take on the iconic characters. It showcased Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup as young adults navigating life's complexities. Blossom, portrayed by Chloe Bennet, appears stressed and burnt out; Bubbles, played by Dove Cameron, struggles with drinking; and Buttercup, brought to life by Yana Perrault, rebels against societal norms and gender expectations.
Official images of the three Powerpuff Girls from CW's live-action effort: Dove Cameron, Chloe Bennet, and Yana Perrault.
The trailer's plot unfolds with the trio accidentally causing the death of a man named Mojo, prompting their flight from Townsville. Years later, they return to visit their father, Professor Utonium, played by Donald Faison. They are confronted by Mojo's grown son, Jojo, now the mayor of Townsville, who has brainwashed its citizens and seeks vengeance against them. The trailer includes edgy humor, with references to juggalos and suggestive remarks about Jojo's animosity towards Blossom.
The CW confirmed to Variety that the footage was genuine, though it was never meant for public release. The live-action adaptation was first announced in 2020 but faced significant hurdles, including an unsuccessful pilot and the departure of Chloe Bennet from the project.
CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz reflected on the decision to cancel the series, stating, "The reason you do pilots is because sometimes things miss, and this was just a miss. We believe in the cast completely. We believe in Diablo [Cody] and Heather [Regnier], the writers. We believe in the auspices of Greg Berlanti and Warner studios. In this case, the pilot didn’t work. But because we see there’s enough elements in there, we wanted to give it another shot. So that’s why we didn’t want to go forward with what we had. Tonally, it might’ve felt a little too campy. It didn’t feel as rooted in reality as it might’ve felt. But again, you learn things when you test things out. And so in this case, we felt, let’s take a step back and go back to the drawing board."
