The critically acclaimed Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur will air one less episode in its final season, as Disney has reportedly pulled one episode that featured an inclusive storyline about a trans teen. The series follows 13-year-old Lunella Lafayette (Diamond White) and her dinosaur companion as they work as the eponymous superhero duo. Despite being the best-reviewed Marvel series, Disney canceled Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur after two seasons. The animated series often tackled real-world issues that are relevant to its younger viewers in informative yet entertaining ways, and it sounds like the creator’s attempt to destigmatize the vitriolic rhetoric around transgender athletes will go unheard as Disney won’t air that episode.
Derrick Malik Johnson, a storyboard artist for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, mentioned in a now-deleted post on the social media site Bluesky (via Gizmodo) that “One of the projects (episode) I worked on is getting shelved because of which party that won the recent election. It breaks my heart knowing this impactful and amazing [episode] is now about to be considered a lost media episode.” The episode, reportedly titled “The Gatekeeper,” seemingly revolves around the character Brooklyn (voiced in the series by Indya Moore), a teen volleyball player who goes to school with Lunella Lafayette/Moon Girl. While Disney has not officially released a statement regarding the episode, it appears the episode will not air on Disney Channel or Disney+.
The Verge published a detailed breakdown of the episode, which leaked online, though Disney was quick to have it taken down. “The Gatekeeper” seems to revolve heavily around the fact that nobody has an issue with Brooklyn being trans except for a coach/parent from a rival school named Greer (voiced by Amy Sedaris), who has Brooklyn and the volleyball team disqualified. Reportedly, many of the characters comment that Greer is motivated by bigotry, with The Verge noting, “The episode’s messaging about embracing and celebrating people’s identities isn’t subtle, but it is fundamentally uplifting and clearly meant to emphasize the importance of respecting other people.” Yet, one week after Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election, Disney’s decision to pull the episode seems to be a way of avoiding putting itself in the crosshairs of an issue that was a major focal point of Trump’s campaign.
Disney (Reportedly) Made a Terrible Decision
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosuar‘s “The Gatekeeper” is important, particularly when anti-trans rhetoric has been on the rise. Transgender athletes often face open and cruel criticism in public. ABC News reported that by Oct. 9, the Trump campaign and various Republican groups had spent nearly $21 million on anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ ads. “The Gatekeeper” seems like it would challenge and disprove those negative talking points, like the idea that transgender athletes are invading “women’s spaces,” while underlining that the person who has a problem with Brooklyn’s inclusion is the one in the wrong. The idea that bigotry is wrong and kindness and inclusivity are ideals to strive for shouldn’t be controversial.
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Disney’s decision to pull the episode is nothing short of disappointing, yet not surprising. The studio made headlines a few months ago when it was reported that Inside Out 2 was heavily scrutinized as not to include even the slightest hint of same-sex romantic interest between Riley and the head hockey player, Val. This was reportedly in response to Disney’s fear that 2022’s Lightyear flopped because it included a same-sex kiss, and many of the same conservatives who were threatened by that would also be upset about a children’s show like Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
It can’t help but feel like Disney is giving in and placating a side that actively seeks to discourage and discriminate against the people who likely need an episode like “The Gatekeeper.” It is particularly disappointing for Disney because while it is a corporation, its form of entertainment is designed to make kids feel safe and welcome, and by locking away this episode, Disney is making a statement about who is and isn’t worthy of feeling safe.
- Release Date
- February 10, 2023
- Seasons
- 1