The terror that flaps in the night may be preparing to return,but apparently with a different voice behind the mask.
Jim Cummings, the longtime voice of Darkwing Duck, says Disney is moving forward with a revival of the beloved animated series and plans to cast someone else as its title character. Cummings shared the unexpected update during an exclusive interview with Collider at the red-carpet premiere of Coyote vs. Acme.
While Disney has not publicly released new production details or announced the reboot’s voice cast, Cummings’ comments suggest that development has continued behind the scenes.
Jim Cummings Says Darkwing Duck Is Being Recast
During the interview, Cummings revealed that he recorded a pilot for the potential revival several years ago. According to the actor, the response to that pilot was enthusiastic, but he will not be returning as Darkwing Duck in the version now moving forward.
“I did a pilot for it several years ago, to see the viability of it coming back, and everybody went nuts,” Cummings told Collider.
He then claimed that both Darkwing Duck and Launchpad McQuack would be recast.
“And they are bringing it back, and 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.
No replacement voice actors have been announced. It also remains unclear whether Cummings could appear in another role, including Darkwing’s villainous counterpart, Negaduck.
A Disney Afternoon Favorite
Darkwing Duck originally premiered in syndication in 1991. The animated series followed Drake Mallard, an ordinary resident of St. Canard who secretly fought crime as the masked hero Darkwing Duck.
Unlike many superheroes, Darkwing did not possess superhuman abilities. He relied on his intelligence, gadgets, dramatic entrances and determination to protect the city—although his ego and tendency to create additional chaos frequently complicated his missions.
Cummings voiced both Drake Mallard and his crime-fighting alter ego. Terry McGovern portrayed Launchpad McQuack, Darkwing’s pilot and loyal sidekick who previously appeared in the original DuckTales series.
Darkwing Duck ran for three seasons and produced 91 episodes, becoming one of the most recognizable animated shows from Disney’s early-1990s television lineup.
Darkwing Duck’s Return in the “DuckTales” Reboot
The character later returned in Disney’s 2017 DuckTales series, although the show introduced a clever new interpretation of Darkwing Duck’s history.
Within the reboot’s universe, Darkwing Duck initially existed as an old television show. Cummings voiced Jim Starling, the actor who played Darkwing in that fictional program.
Chris Diamantopoulos voiced a new version of Drake Mallard, an actor selected to replace Starling in a proposed movie adaptation. After Starling turned against his successor, Drake eventually became a genuine crime-fighting hero, while Starling was transformed into a version of Darkwing’s enemy, Negaduck.
The storyline appeared to establish the foundation for a new generation of Darkwing Duck adventures, but a standalone continuation has yet to reach audiences.
The Reboot Was First Reported in 2020
Plans for another Darkwing Duck series were first reported in 2020, with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver and Alex McAtee’s Point Grey Pictures attached to the project.
Updates have been scarce since the original reports, leading fans to question whether the reboot was still in active development.
Cummings’ latest comments indicate that Disney is still pursuing the project. However, Disney has not officially confirmed its current production status, creative team, cast, release date or intended platform.
It is also unknown whether the project remains connected to the 2017 DuckTales continuity or will introduce another entirely new interpretation of Drake Mallard and St. Canard.
A Major Change for Darkwing Duck Fans
Cummings’ possible absence would represent a major shift for the franchise. His voice has been closely associated with Darkwing Duck since the character’s debut more than three decades ago.
The actor’s remarks also suggest Launchpad McQuack could receive a new voice actor rather than being played by McGovern. Whether other familiar characters and performers will return remains unknown.
For now, fans should treat Cummings’ interview as an encouraging—but incomplete—update. His comments suggest that Darkwing Duck is still preparing to swoop back into action, but Disney has not yet revealed when audiences will see the revival or who will deliver the hero’s famous declaration: “Let’s get dangerous.”
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