Moon Girl stays true to the source material
Based on the Marvel hit comic books, the series follows the adventures of 13-year-old super-genius Lunella Lafayette and her 10-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur, whom she accidentally brings through time into present-day New York City.
Equipped with Devil fierce loyalty and brawn, the loving support of her family and best friend Casey, Lunella sets out to make a difference and protect her Lower East Side neighborhood from danger.
“Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” stars Diamond White (Lunella/Moon Girl), Fred Tatasciore (Devil Dinosaur) and Gary Anthony Williams (Pops) were joined by executive music producer Raphael Saadiq, executive producer Steve Loter, supervising producer Rodney Clouden and producer Pilar Flynn, where they participated in the New York Comic Con 2022 panel, moderated by Allegra Frank, deputy entertainment editor at The Daily Beast.
Executive producer Steve Loter & supervising producer Rodney Clouden talked about staying true to the character while aging her up and expandidng the role of her extended family and friends here:
Moon Girl embraces diversity
I had the great opportunity to interview the cast and creative team behind Disney Branded Television’s highly anticipated animated series “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” ahead of its 2023 premiere on Disney Channel and Disney+
I appreciated the conversations about this innovative action-comedy series centered on African American teen girl Super Hero, Lunella Lafayette (aka Moon Girl) voiced by the multi-talented Diamond White.
One thing that struck me was how diverse both the cast and creative team is. As you saw in the first video, the producers were very intentional about the make up of creatives on the show. The writers and production team is over 80 percent women & POC. This was an intentional move for the producers and show runners to include current black and brown talent and Disney gets credit for amplifying women’s voices and perspectives.
It provides much need opportunities for talent that has historically been overlooked, enriches the project and lends an authenticity to the story of this dynamic Black family.
In addition to Ms.White as Lunella /Moon Girl, the series stars Fred Tatasciore as Devil Dinosaur; Alfre Woodard as Lunella’s grandmother, Mimi; Libe Barer as Lunella’s best friend and manager,Casey; Sasheer Zamata as Lunella’s mom, Adria; Jermaine Fowler as Lunella’s dad, James Jr.; Gary Anthony Williams as Lunella’s grandfather, Pops; and series executive producer Laurence Fishburne in the recurring role of The Beyonder, a curious, near-omnipotent and mischievous trickster.
Watch the video below as Pilar Flynn (producer) and Gary Anthony Williams (Pops) speak to the intentional inclusive make up of the cast and crew for the show here:
This show is timely, upbeat, clever, representative in all aspects of production and, most importantly, it’s an AMAZING expansion of Moon Girls story including her extended family & friends! “One girl can make a difference” – Diamond White (voice of Moon Girl)
DEVIL DINOSAUR isn’t a pet
Fred & Diamond were very clear about Devil’s agency, they are a team, they are friends and throughout their shared adventures, eventually become family.
They are protective of eachother and have eachothers back. Diamond White (Lunella/Moon Girl), Fred Tatasciore (Devil Dinosaur) speak about the awesome STEM related projects that will be attached to the show, how Laurence Fishburne encouraged Diamond to sing the title song, and Fred & Diamonds amazing voice work bring their characters to life:
The Soundtrack is FIRE!
The Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur soundtrack, from Walt Disney Records, is set for release on Feb. 10 and will feature songs from the first season.
The news, along with a clip from the theme song, “Moon Girl Magic ” written and produced by executive music producer Raphael Saadiq and performed by series star Diamond White (voice of Lunella aka Moon Girl), was revealed during Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaurs panel at New York Comic Con!
Watch and listen to the clip from the new theme song “Moon Girl Magic” here:https://marvelmusic.lnk.to/MGDD
There is serious star power involved
The season one guest cast includes Gideon Adlon, Pamela Adlon, Anna Akana, Ian Alexander, Alison Brie, May Calamawy, Andy Cohen, Wilson Cruz, Daveed Diggs, Asia Kate Dillon, Luis Guzmán, Maya Hawke, Jennifer Hudson, Dr. Mae Jemison, Josh Keaton, June Diane Raphael, Paul Scheer, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Cobie Smulders,
Wesley Snipes and Tajinae Turner.
Recurring stars include Omid Abtahi, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Michael Cimino, Indya Moore and Craig Robinson!
Disney Branded Television already ordered a SECOND SEASON ahead of the February debut!
Disney rightfully feels very confident about the show by greenlighting a second season before the first premieres!
Produced by Disney Television Animation, the series is executive produced by Fishburne Helen Sugland’s Cinema Gypsy Productions (ABC’s;black-ish & mixed-ish, Freeform’s grown-ish) and Steve Loter (Disney’s Kim Possible).
For season two, Rodney Clouden (Futurama) and Pilar Flynn (Elena of Avalor) are co-executive producers; Kate Kondell (The Pirate Fairy) is co-executive producer and story editor; Halima Lucas (East of La Brea) is co-producer and story editor; Ben Juwono (Big Hero 6 The Series) is co-producer and supervising director; Chris Whittier (Big Hero 6 The Series) and Jose Lopez (Transformers Prime) are art directors; Rafael Chaidez (Kung Fu Panda) is producer.
There will be Toys!
Next summer, fans can also look forward to a brand-new assortment of toys, apparel and more based
on the series! I’ll have unboxings as soon as products become available!
I’ll have a full review of the pilot episode and a featured column soon as part of my “Best of NYCC 2022”coverage.
“Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” premieres February 10, 2023 on Disney Channel and shortly thereafter on Disney+.
Images courtesy of Marvel and Disney
I valued the discussions surrounding this ground-breaking action-comedy series featuring Lunella Lafayette, an African American young heroine. I was really taken aback by the cast’s and the creative team’s diversity.