The next couple of years are going to be loaded for Bluey fans everywhere. The little blue pup from Brisbane has had our hearts on a leash since 2018, but could Disney be shaping the future for better or for worse?
Big things are happening for our favorite cartoon dog, and the Heelers' relationship with Disney is going to play a massive role for the foreseeable future of the show. Along with getting her own full-length feature film, Bluey and Bingo are making their way to the Disney Parks. While there was much rejoicing from fans, all magic comes at a price, dearies.
Will Disney Dominate Bluey?
As thrilled as many Bluey buffs were at the reveal of a new film, teasings of season 4, and their arrival at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the Disney Cruise Line, many are growing concerned as to how much of a role Disney will play in the show's future. While those involved are all very excited, Bluey creator Joe Brumm's departure from the show has many clutching their pearls.
Although Brumm has assured fans the series is being left in capable hands on Bluey's official blog, things happen whenever a big corporation gets involved with a beloved IP. Disney has a bit of a voracious reputation when it comes to acquiring franchises, and many worry Bluey and Bingo are the next victims.
A report from The Guardian shared that many fans remain unconvinced that Bluey will keep its charms and likable nature. Writer Alexandra Topping shares the following response from a fan in her coverage.
The user from "The Adult Bluey Fans Group" shared,
“What we know from history is that when the creator of a show stops working in it, the show then loses its essence and dies... So, enjoy Bluey while you can.”
These reactions might not be the most optimistic, but they also aren't unwarranted. As many Star Wars purists will agree, sometimes Disney's overstepping can get in the way of a creator's vision. However, can that truly be said of Bluey?
Let's pump the breaks on the fan reactions for a minute and look at things logically. Joe Brumm is only going to step away from the series to make the Bluey movie better, and shares that he has great faith in the people he's left in charge. Additionally, Disney isn't ignorant of what makes the show work, and it's highly unlikely they'll do anything to jeopardize those profits.
As much as we love to sing the show's praises and go an absolute binge-watch on Disney+, Disney's role in its success can't be ignored. Without the company's magical streaming service, Bluey wouldn't be nearly as popular with global audiences as it is today.
Like Topping says in her article, Bluey is no longer just a simple TV show. This writer would even go a step further and say that the number of parents and grown-ups watching outweighs the number of kids in its intended audience, but that's not a bad thing. There's truly a lot to love.
There's so much to love, in fact, that Disney will more than likely treat their ownership with kid gloves and continue to act as a distributor rather than a hard-core creative force. While Disney will undoubtedly have some pull with the upcoming film, it's still Ludo's baby. In the words of Calypso, "Everything will work out the way it's supposed to."
Bluey and all her content can currently be streamed on Disney+ and ABC iView.