In the age of the entertainment remixes, we’re getting all manner of reboots, remakes, and re-imaginings. Coming soon is the Hasbro cinematic universe that will feature and connect five 80s classic cartoons: M.A.S.K, Visionaries, Micronauts, ROM, and GI Joe. My inner 12-year-old is doing flips and cartwheels across a meadow made of candy. My present-day self is writing this article about Pirates of the Dark Water, a forgotten 90s cartoon that would make for as good a cinematic universe as any other.
Come with me, into a world of re-imagination!
1. The Story
Pirates of the Dark Water began as a five-part miniseries with an all-star voice cast that included Roddy McDowell, Hector Elizondo, Tim Curry, and Frank Welker. The show lasted only 21 episodes but had a style that was quite different from most cartoons of the era. For the modern remake, we’re playing up the steampunk and making it grungy, a lived-in universe like Alien or Firefly.
THEN
On the alien world of Mer, an evil substance known as Dark Water is devouring everything. Only the 13 Lost Treasures of Rule can stop the Dark Water. Ren, a young prince, and his band of misfits are the only ones up for the task of saving their world.
NOW
On Mer, technology has lead to a prosperous world. Airships, powered by the planet’s water travel the seemingly endless islands of this water world. For 13 years, a substance known as Dark Water has spread. No one knows where it came from, but it’s going to envelop the world and has already enveloped the greatest city-state on all of Mer.
Tagline: The tide is rising, and darkness comes with it.
