New Warriors Showrunner Shares Squirrel Girl Clips From Canceled Series, Rails Against Cancellation

In 20 years, Marvel has gone from flailing comics publisher to ubiquitous pop culture presence. Thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the studio has expanded into every possible medium, from film and television to video games to books to (of course) comics. And while Marvel has seen enormous critical and financial success, not all of their ideas make it from development to the screen. Remember Hulu’s planned “Adventure Into Fear” series of horror-themed shows like Ghost Rider and Helstrom? Or Hulu’s planned adult animation block with crossover series that got whittled down until M.O.D.O.K. was the last man/giant head standing?

One such Marvel casualty was Freeform’s New Warriors, a series that focused on a group of young, superpowered adults learning to use their powers. Leading the team was fan-favorite character Squirrel Girl (a.k.a. Doreen Green), played by comedian and AT&T spokeswoman Milana Vayntrub (Other Space). Fellow cast members included Derek Theler as Mister Immortal, Jeremy Tardy as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy as Speedball, Matthew Moy as Microbe, and Kate Comer as Debrii.

While the pilot tested very well, the series was shuffled between networks, and it seemed that no one could find a place for it. In a pop culture landscape hell-bent on turning every comic into a series or film, it seemed surprising that Marvel couldn’t find a home for New Warriors. Now, showrunner Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town, Enlisted) has taken to Twitter to share clips from the unaired pilot and air his grievances about the fate of the series.

Biegel tweeted that the show was canceled before airing because “A singular power that be killed the show. Because it was too gay. A rich, straight, Brentwood turd.” He added that the exec was later fired. Biegel also tweeted footage of Vayntrub as Squirrel Girl and his kids watching the video and reacting to it. All of those tweets have since been deleted, with Biegel joking that Ryan Reynolds had taken control of his account.

Everything Biegel tweeted is collected under this thread below, because nothing tweeted ever really dies. There are set photos, videos, and a look at the puppetry behind Doreen’s squirrel companion, Tippy-Toe.

Overall, the series looks like a fun and inclusive take on the New Warriors with all sorts of representation. It’s disappointing that the series never made it to air, especially since it seems that one homophobic exec was to blame. While the culture has made great strides in terms of LGBTQ+ representation, it’s these kinds of gatekeepers that still hold positions of power within the industry.

While the pilot isn’t available to watch, you can catch Vayntrub voicing Squirrel Girl in Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors, an animated TV movie for Disney.

What do to think of the Squirrel Girl footage? Would you be down for a New Warriors series?

(image: Marvel Animation)

Want more stories like this? Become a subscriber and support the site!

—The Mary Sue has a strict comment policy that forbids, but is not limited to, personal insults toward anyone, hate speech, and trolling.—

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

twitter