The reboot of The Boondocks is no longer happening…at least not at HBO Max.
After star Cedric Yarbrough revealed the news on 1-on-1 w/Deuces, it has now been confirmed by Deadline. The outlet confirms the series is not happening and that the show’s studio, Sony Pictures Animation “is currently evaluating other options for the project,” meaning there’s a chance it could find a new home.
Sony Pictures Animation initially announced the reboot in 2019 and said that creator Aaron McGruder was involved.
Later that year, it was announced that the show had been placed at HBO Max as the streamer also acquired the series’ complete library.
Before the pandemic, the show was expected to premiere in Fall 2020 with a 50-minute special, as well as all 55 episodes of the original series. The reboot had a two-season, 24-episode order.
The satirical animated series, which was originally conceived as a comic book strip, follows two brothers as they move from the city to the suburbs to live with their grandfather. It follows their adventures (and conflicts) in the new neighborhood, incorporating social and political commentary through a range of exaggerated characters.
The show primarily featured the voices of late John Witherspoon and Oscar winner Regina King. It first aired for three seasons from 2005-2010, and a fourth season, without McGruder, aired in 2014.
McGruder would have returned as showrunner and will serve as executive producer along with Norm Aladjem, Seung Kim and Meghann Collins Robertson.
Watch Yarbrough's interview clip from Feb. 2. below:
In the interview with Young Deuces of Geekset, he said, “I hate to say this, but… the show is, right now, not coming back. I don’t know if this is breaking news, but we’ve been wanting to do the show. And Sony… they decided they’re going to pull the plug. So, I don’t know. Hopefully, maybe one day we’ll be able to revisit. If we don’t then that’s what that is. But, I wish the show was coming back.”
