‘Powerpuff Girls’: Chloe Bennett Leaves CW’s Live-Action Reboot
Amongst the many Cartoon Network television shows that became childhood classics, the 1998 animated series, The Powerpuff Girls has been a fan favorite for years. The show centers around three superpowered sisters created in a laboratory who save their city from their main nemesis. In 202, The CW announced plans for Powerpuff, a live-action version of the show.
The show’s development hit major issues when fans weren’t pleased with leaked set photos. Soon enough, The CW decided to redevelop and reshoot the pilot, delaying the premiere date. On Aug.11, news hit that Blossom actor Chloe Bennet exited the show due to scheduling issues.
The live-action tries to re-invent the original show
The original animated Cartoon Network show had a set dynamic that made it so famous. Fans fell for a kind scientist who makes three daughters in his laboratory to be “sugar, spice and everything nice,” and accidentally spills in a chemical to make them superheroes.
Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup are described as sweet and kindergarten-aged characters in the original show. The CW live-action changes the character ages to be in their 20’s who now resent their childhood as crime fighters. Now into adulthood, the three sisters must reunite and fight crime once again when the world needs them most.
These adult versions of Blossom, Buttercup, and Blossom will harbor real-life issues and dilemmas that they developed from their childhood. Bubbles (Dove Cameron) remains the bubbly and sparkly character who wants to regain her fame. Blossom (Bennet) is meant to be spunky and Little-Miss-Perfect but suffers trauma from being a superhero. Buttercup (Yana Perrault) was the rebellious one who no longer wants to identify as a Powerpuff Girl and live a normal life.
Chloe Bennet exits show due to schedule issues
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chloe Bennet has exited the show. Bennet was part of the main cast when The CW originally filmed the show’s pilot episode before deciding to reshoot and rework the show.
An insider states that Bennet decided to leave the show due to scheduling conflicts. With The CW reworking a new pilot, new deals had to be made with the actors to fit the new pilot cycle. Actors Dove Cameron and Yana Perrault are still attached to the project as two of the show’s main characters. Casting for the role of Blossom will being in the fall.
Fans react to live-action show and Chloe Bennet’s departure
While the show was filming its pilot episode, set photos were released of the three main characters, and fans were not pleased with the character’s overall look. Bennet, Cameron, and Perrault wore mediocre and identical versions of the characters’ outfits in the original animated show. But an official show poster revealed the characters in more modern ensembles.
In May, the news hit that CEO and chairman of The CW, Mark Pedowitz decided to overhaul the show. Pedowitz stated to reporters, “In this case, the pilot didn’t work,” but that there were enough elements to give the show another chance. Fans on Reddit agreed that the show was not in any condition to be premiered and needed to go back to the drawing board.
Hearing of Bennet’s departure, fans on Reddit wholeheartedly understand why she decided to leave the show, whether it was due to scheduling or other reasons.
