"7D" - These Are Not the Dwarves You Are Looking For

 

With Snow White still being a buzz name in entertainment these days, Disney has dug into its archives and ordered a new animated series for Disney Junior based on its first feature film. But it's turning out to not be as reminiscent of the beloved film as you might think. This series was in development 2011 and production started about a year ago. With the 2013/2014 season program slate recently released (in March) and 7D firmly on the ticket, we should be seeing more from these guys soon.

Here's the premise, according to Deadline:

Described as a comedic take on the world of Seven Dwarfs in a contemporary storybook world, 7D takes place in Jollywood where Queen Delightful relies on the 7D — Happy, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Grumpy and Doc — to keep the kingdom in order. Standing in their way are two laughably evil villains, Grim and Hildy Gloom, who plot to take over the kingdom by stealing the magical jewels in the 7D’s mine.

Dwarf fight - classic style

Knowing the popularity of Grumpy products is making quite a mint for the Mouse House these days, I would have been more interested in a series with him as the main character (the grumpiest dwarf with the biggest heart") and seeing various fairy tale tropes, obstacles and issues being played out through him and his seven companions.

That won't be happening.

The dwarf's names will remain the same but they've been completely redesigned. The new looks were unveiled some time ago and, well, call me old school, BUT.

Maybe I should make that bigger:

BUT:

!

This is not the incarnation of Snow White's legacy I was hoping for.

(And I'm not the only one).

Not everyone is having such a bad reaction, however, and there is some hope as Craig Shemin (Jim Henson Company staff writer) wrote the test episode, which has been described as sweet and whimsical. Unfortunately it feels very much like we're in for an(other) Enchanted Kingdom mash-up, of dwarves, fairies, magical items and other pop-fairy tale staples that have little to do with time honored märchen.

ABC's Once Upon A Time - Grumpy is "born"

I'd be happy to change my mind on this (please!) but it's going to take some excellent writing to convince me. (Please-don't-let-them-hatch-from-eggs-please-don't-let-them-hatch-from-eggs!)

At least we won't be inundated with even more princess stuff. (Or will we?)

The new series is slated to debut on Disney Junior in 2014.

* The characters were designed by Fish Hooks creator Noah Z. Jones; Tom Ruegger (Animaniacs) exec produces.