Jim Cummings, the voice behind Darkwing Duck for over 30 years, has revealed he will not reprise his role in Disney’s ongoing reboot of the 1990s animated series. The announcement came during an interview with Collider at the premiere of Coyote vs. Acme, where Cummings stated that Disney is bringing it back with new voice actors for both Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack. They’re hiring somebody else to do Terry McGovern’s role of Launchpad, and they’re hiring somebody else to be Darkwing Duck,
Cummings said, adding, I hope they get…everything they deserve.
Reboot Development: From 2020 Hype to Current Uncertainty
Jim Cummings Not Voicing Disney Reboot/Revival Series
The Darkwing Duck reboot first emerged in 2020, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attached as executive producers. Initial reports suggested the project would follow the original 1991–1992 series, which followed Drake Mallard, a suburban duck who fights crime as the egotistical hero Darkwing Duck.
Disney Television Animation, which oversees the reboot, is part of the newly formed Disney Branding Television unit headed by Gary Marsh, according to Deadline. The project is in early development, with no writer yet attached, as reported by Variety. Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg will executive produce the project via Point Grey Pictures, with Alex McAtee overseeing the effort. The reboot is set to debut on Disney+, as confirmed by multiple sources.
The original Darkwing Duck series, which aired from 1991 to 1992 on The Disney Afternoon and ABC, followed the adventures of Drake Mallard, a suburban duck who fights crime as the egotistical hero Darkwing Duck. Assisted by his adopted daughter Gosalyn (Christine Cavanaugh) and his sidekick and pilot Launchpad McQuack (Terry McGovern), the series satirized classic superheroes like The Shadow, Batman, and the Green Hornet. It ran for three seasons and 91 episodes before ending.
Cummings’ Legacy and the New Voice Cast
Jim Cummings Says Disney Is Recasting Darkwing Duck for
Cummings’ potential absence marks a significant shift for the franchise. Gosalyn, Drake’s adopted daughter, was originally voiced by Christine Cavanaugh. The new voice cast for the reboot remains unconfirmed. Terry McGovern, who voiced Launchpad McQuack in the original series, is also likely to be replaced.
Cummings’ comments about the project’s “viability” and the response to the pilot suggest Disney is still evaluating its approach. I did a pilot for it several years ago, to see the viability of it coming back, and everybody went nuts,
Cummings told Collider. The pilot’s enthusiastic reception did not secure Cummings’ return, as he confirmed that both Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack would be recast.
What Comes Next for Darkwing Duck?
Darkwing Duck’ Star Officially Confirm Disney Reboot Recast [Exclusive]
As of August 2026, Disney has not commented on the reboot’s status, leaving fans to speculate about its future. Cummings’ departure raises questions about the project’s direction, particularly regarding how it will handle the character’s long history. The reboot’s connection to the DuckTales universe, which has already reintroduced Darkwing Duck in a metafictional context, could provide a framework for the new series. However, without official details, the project’s fate remains uncertain.
With no release window or creative team confirmed, the reboot’s next steps will likely depend on Disney’s broader strategy for its animated content.
The reboot’s connection to the 2017 DuckTales series—where Darkwing Duck appeared as a fictional show within the narrative—remains unclear. In that series, Cummings voiced Jim Starling, the actor who played Darkwing, while Chris Diamantopoulos portrayed a new version of Drake Mallard. A new version of Launchpad McQuack (Beck Bennett) also returned for the DuckTales reboot, and as he was featured in the original series, his role in the new project is uncertain.
Disney Television Animation also is behind the recent Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe and the upcoming revival of The Proud Family, indicating the studio’s ongoing investment in animated content. However, the Darkwing Duck reboot’s progress remains shrouded in uncertainty, with no official updates from Disney as of August 2026.
