Although the pilot for the live-action version of The Powerpuff Girls never aired, the trailer is now available.
The CW revealed plans for the series in 2020. By early 2021, the network had cast Chloe Bennett as Blossom, Dove Cameron as Bubbles, and Yana Perrault as Buttercup. Titled Powerpuff, the show was intended for a more mature audience, and a pilot was filmed that spring.
The footage opens with Professor Utonium (played by Donald Faison) creating the iconic superhero trio, who once served as Townsville’s defenders. But once they grew older, they struggled with real-life challenges such as anxiety, stress, and alcoholism. During their teenage years, the girls accidentally kill Mojo, who is depicted as a human rather than a monkey.
Following the incident, Blossom distanced herself from the others, Buttercup became a firefighter, and Bubbles chased stardom in Hollywood. Seven years later, they have become jaded young adults with no desire to resume crime-fighting. Meanwhile, Mojo’s son, Jojo, has risen to power as Townsville’s mayor, forcing the estranged trio to reunite to fight against him. The trailer even slightly imitates the original cartoon, with Buttercup criticizing the show for “whitewashing” their story.
Production on the pilot commenced in April 2021, but by May, The CW had decided to scrap it, choosing to redevelop the series instead. Unfortunately, in August of that year though Bennett left the project. Despite remaining in development for two more years, Powerpuff was officially canceled in May 2023.
Powerpuff was inspired by Craig McCracken‘s beloved Cartoon Network show The Powerpuff Girls and was helmed by writers and executive producers Heather Regnier and Diablo Cody. Maggie Kiley directed the pilot, while Warner Bros. Television oversaw production.
