Sad news for Mighty Ducks fans: It looks like we’re bidding Gordon Bombay adieu.
When The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers premiered its first season, fans all over the world were excited to see Emilio Estevez playing a major role in the series. Emilio Estevez’ character Gordon Bombay has been part of the franchise from the very first movie in 1992 and featured prominently in the two sequels as well. It was a definite joy to continue his story in the reboot series and see a new batch of young ice hockey players benefit from his tutelage.
However, it was announced on Friday (November 5) that Emilio will sadly not be part of the show’s second season.
Reports say that Emilio the franchise will be continuing without Emilio. Deadline reported:
“The Mighty Ducks franchise will continue without Gordon Bombay. Emilio Estevez, who reprised his role from the 1992 movie and its 1994 and 1996 sequels in Season 1 of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, will not be back for the Disney+ series’ upcoming second season.
I hear Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature, which produces the hockey-themed sequel series, made the decision not to pick up Estevez’s option for Season 2 after weeks of back and forth with his team over the show’s Covid vaccination requirement. Reps for the studio and Estevez declined comment.
According to sources, Estevez, through his reps, has declined to provide assurances that he would comply with the policy.”
They did add however that there may be more to his exit than vaccination compliance:
“Meanwhile, sources close to Estevez indicate that creative differences may have played a role in his exit.”
Now, Emilio is shedding light on his exit from the franchise. The actor released his own statement on why he is leaving his iconic role behind, in response to Deadline’s initial report. He says that he is not anti-vaccination and that was not the reason he is leaving the series.”
“I am not anti-vaxx. Full stop. I take this pandemic very seriously, and I am often teased about my continued following of the safety protocols and my abundance of caution. I want to address what transpired and clear up some falsehoods which appeared in an article regarding my decision to depart “The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.”
In the final analysis, this was nothing more than a good old fashioned contract dispute and not, as some would believe an anti-vaccine position.”
He went on to say that he experienced “long-haul covid” summer and fall of last year. Symptoms first emerged at the end of filming the show’s pilot in February 2020:
“As the show went back into production in August 2020, I reluctantly soldiered on, but was uncertain about how I would be safe on set. I questioned the wisdom of returning to make a tv show in the middle of a pandemic and how actors could be considered “essential workers.”
The show producers tried their best to assuage my fears of coming back to work. “You have natural immunity!” “You’ll be the safest one on set,” I was repeatedly told. Additionally, I was warned by my former reps about possible consequences and legal jeopardy I could face for not reporting to work as ordered.
So, I returned to Vancouver. I followed the Canadian quarantine mandate as well as the strict “Zone A” on set Covid protocols. I did not complain, nor did I release my diagnosis to the public. I wanted to try and preserve the show morale and be a leader, however, while still suffering from Long Haul Syndrome. The legacy of the franchise was more important to me than my own health.
In retrospect, I wrongly chose to protect the show over being transparent about having contracted Covid-19. I may have provided another public example to wit, how we are all vulnerable to this deadly disease.
The quoted “anonymous sources,” producers and show runners all know the truth. Simply put, I am anti-bully. My exit from the show was due to a myriad of creative differences – any other narrative is false.
To the fans of the franchise – I am as disappointed as you are.
To my “Ducks” cast and crew – have a wonderful Season 2 on the show and please know that I will miss you all.
It was an honor and a thrill to be able to return as the iconic and beloved character, Gordon Bombay, a character which has been a celebrated benchmark in my 40 year career. And I thank the studio and the producers for creating an opportunity to allow me to visit him again.
Ducks Fly Together!”
