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There aren’t many video game series that are as beloved asKingdom Hearts. Despite having one of the most mind-bending narratives out there spread out across a whole host of games that some say must be played to get the whole picture, fans continue to clamor for more parts in the series. With themost recent mainline releaseKingdom Hearts 3being the most successful game in the series, executives might be eyeing an expansion to the series.
When most people think about expanding the appeal of their stories, the discussion of television or film series comes up. With Disney being a major driving force of theKingdom Heartsseries, and with how much Disney loves to make money from hit films, it would be a surprise if aKingdom Heartsadaptation wasn’t at least whispered about. With how much passion there is for the series and its unique premise, some have begun to wonder if Disney is missing out on a massive money-making opportunity.
2002 (PlayStation 2)
2005 (PlayStation 2)
2019 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
Kingdom Hearts 4
TBA
Not only could Disney make aKingdom Heartsmovie, film series, or television series, but one almost existed more than two decades ago.Way back when the originalKingdom Heartsgame was released, there was already talk of, at the very least, a television series. The history of this mysterious television series is highlighted ina piece from Eurogamerin which they explain that the series was ultimately canceled:
“In 2002, the same year as the release of the originalKingdom Heartsgame, Kearsley was hired by Disney TV for the series. Although the pilot tested “exceptionally well”, it was canned due to Square Enix’s future plans for “many more games” in the series.”
This means that the idea of some kind of adaptation has been floated around over the years. It’s not hard to see Disney being interested in trying to make a project like this in movie form these days, as it would allow the company to see the desire for a movie while also not interfering with the massive ongoing story. Disney has a major advantage ofmultiple games in the timelinefilled with stories and world ideas that they could pull from when making a movie. The question isn’t really whether or not Disney could do it, they can make almost anything with their spending power, the question is whether or not the average fan of the series, and especially the casual audience would be interested in something like that.
Are Fans Interested In A Kingdom Hearts Movie?
There seems to be an interesting split among fans when it comes to the potential for aKingdom HeartsMovie. The first major problem many identify is that should it be adapted to a movie, the overall plot of the series would need to be drastically reworked to make sense. It is worth noting thatThe Super Mario Bros. Moviehas demonstrated that a video game plot can be simplified to the point that it fits neatly into a relatively short timeframe, so should aKingdom Heartsmovie focus on the story of the first game only,or completely wipe Sora’s memory of past events, it might not be difficult to translate. From there, the success and reception of that movie could indicate to Disney whether or not moving forward with a trilogy to match the games is a good idea. WithKingdom Hearts 3becoming the most successful game in the series, that at the very least indicates passion among the fanbase for series content.
Many who talk about a potentialKingdom Heartsadaptation actually seem to favor the idea of a series being made on Disney+ over any kind of theatrical movie. A dedicated television series would allow the time for the complex story to be adapted in a much more faithful way while allowing for an episode or two forKingdom Heartscharacters like Sora, Donald, and Goofyto explore whatever Disney world they find themselves in. When it comes to video game adaptations, especially for RPGs, it’s hard to argue against the idea of a series, as that would allow for an overall longer runtime, though that too would come with its own unique challenges.
What’s Stopping Disney From Making a Kingdom Hearts Movie?
There are a variety of factors that could lead to Disney thinking twice about adaptingKingdom Heartsin any form.First and foremost, aKingdom Heartsmovie would mean that beloved childhood Disney characters will be engaging in violence in some form. There may be some level of worry that Donald Duck torching a Heartless as Mickey Mouse slashes through anotherwith his unique keyblademay be deemed as too violent. In a world where audience retention is more important than ever, the company may want to avoid their most treasured characters walloping bad guys.
Another potential issue is the logistics of making the series into a movie. It’s no secret that the game has an over-the-top and sometimes hard-to-follow story. Making sure that translates well to film, that Sora doesn’t look horrendously out of placeor in some kind of uncanny valleynext to a variety of animated characters, and the assessing risks of devaluing classic Disney stories if the movie fails are all major considerations. This doesn’t mean that aKingdom Heartsmovie or series is impossible, but it does mean that it may result in less mixing of Disney worlds, something that might ultimately take away from the entire draw of the series for a lot of people.
Kingdom Hearts
WHERE TO PLAY
KINGDOM HEARTS: Fear locks the light in darkness. Courage is the key.When a supernatural storm transports 14-year-old Sora to a distant land, he sets out to track down his missing friends. Teaming up with Court Wizard Donald and Captain Goofy, join Sora as he embarks on a valiant quest to find his friends and defeat the evil ‘Heartless’.Explore new and familiar worlds featuring over 100 Disney characters. Beware of the Disney villains and their devious intentions. Team up with Disney heroes as you battle evil. Experience stunning graphics and authentic voiceovers.
