Uh oh. Is Hilary Duff throwing a little shade at Disney+ with her latest Instagram upload??
As you’re likely aware, the 32-year-old actress is set to star and executive produce in the upcoming reboot of her career-launching TV show, Lizzie McGuire — but the series’ highly-anticipated return was recently put on hold due to some creative differences behind-the-scenes. However, it appears a different piece of Disney news recently highlighted by Duff could be our biggest hint about production woes happening within the company!
Related: Hilary Duff Wants Laws Changed After Unsettling Incident With ‘Creepy’ Photographer
On Tuesday, the Younger actress shared a screenshot of a headline to her IG story, which announced a decision to move a TV spin-off to the 2018 gay romantic comedy, Love, Simon, from Disney+ to Hulu.
So, what does this have to do with what’s happening with Lizzie, Gordo, Ethan Craft and the gang? Well, you’ll notice the starlet included a caption alongside the snap, which reads:
“Sounds familiar..”
According to a source who spoke to Variety, the headline-making decision was made due to the *sensitive* subject matter that’ll be covered on the show Love, Victor:
“Disney felt many issues explored on the show, including alcohol use and sexual exploration, would not fit in with the family-friendly content on Disney+.”
For those who didn’t catch the original movie when it was in theaters, it followed a 17-year-old young man’s compelling coming out story and struggles with sexual identity. As more of today’s youth openly identify as part of the LBTQ+ community, we’re a bit confused as to how this isn’t deemed “family-friendly” — and we weren’t the only ones who took an issue with it, too!
Read through a few angry fan reactions making the rounds on Twitter (below):
“Love, Simon follows the long line of Disney + shows removed from the platform for not being “family-frendly content” following The Mandalorian, The Simpsons, the entire MCU franchis- Oh, you mean only the gay show got pulled? Cool.”
“Disney+ pulling the Love, Simon series bc it’s not “family friendly” has prompted my 12yo to ask me to cancel Disney+. If the “family” you cater to teaches hate and intolerance, then Disney, you’re not “family friendly” bc there’s greater value to teach kids than LOVE IS LOVE.”
“Disney not airing Love, Simon on @disneyplus is like every cis female friend who wants to have a gay best friend but when she finds a boyfriend, she’s suddenly MIA or asks you to “not act like that” around him.”
One user eloquently pointed out what could be the common thread between a change in the production of both TV shows:
the love, simon spin-off has been something people have been buzzing about for a long time, and people were excited to see such an openly inclusive show on disney+ and under the disney brand… but of course, no, it’s moving to hulu.
— sadie (@sadieannerue) February 24, 2020
In October, it was revealed the Lizzie McGuire reboot would feature an openly gay character, too. But by January, filming on the show was halted after lead TV writer, showrunner, and original series creator Terri Minksy announced she would no longer be a part of production.
At the time, a spokesperson for Disney commented:
“Fans have a sentimental attachment to Lizzie McGuire and high expectations for a new series. After filming two episodes, we concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the series.”
So, this begs the question on everyone’s mind after Hilary’s post: are there issues in her own spin-off, like an openly queer character, that were deemed not “family-friendly” enough to pursue? Were they forced to go back to the drawing board in attempts to satisfy more conservative viewers? We really won’t know until the show eventually airs, right?
Let us remind you as well, you’ll currently find the HIGHLY controversial The Simpsons streaming on Disney+!! harrumph!
What do U think about all of this, Perezcious readers?? Sound OFF in the comment section with your theories…
[Image via FayesVision/WENN/Disney Channel/20th Century Studios/YouTube].
The post Hilary Duff Seemingly Hints At Trouble With Disney+ Over <i>Lizzie McGuire</i> Reboot! appeared first on Perez Hilton.