Disney has officially replaced longtime Darkwing Duck voice actor Jim Cummings with Mark Hamill for its upcoming Disney+ revival.
Seth Rogen, who is also an executive producer through his Point Grey Pictures banner, has cast himself as Darkwing’s accident-prone sidekick Launchpad McQuack.
Darkwing Duck in Duck Tales – Disney Animation, YouTube
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According to Variety, Disney+ has formally ordered the animated project to series after years of development.
While the return of the beloved animated series might normally inspire excitement, the casting announcement has sparked considerable backlash online.
Disney’s decision to sideline Cummings has also raised questions given his decades-long connection to the character and previous involvement in the revival.
Jim Cummings Previously Recorded a Pilot
Cummings revealed in August that he had recorded a pilot for the project several years earlier. However, Disney ultimately decided to move forward with different actors for both Darkwing and Launchpad.
“I did a pilot for it several years ago, to see the viability of it coming back, and everybody went nuts,” Cummings said. “And they are bringing it back, and they’re hiring somebody else to do Terry McGovern’s role of Launchpad, and they’re hiring somebody else to be Darkwing Duck.”
“I hope they get … everything they deserve,” he added.
A screenshot of Jim Cummings from his podcast Toon’d In With Jim Cummings – YouTube, Toon’d In With Jim Cummings
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Some interpreted the remark as evidence that Cummings was bitter about being replaced. He later claimed that his comments had been “muted, clipped and misquoted.”
“Maybe we could all be a little less quick to judge, a little less eager to dredge up false stories, and keep a little more joy in our hearts,” Cummings wrote.
Still, confirmation that he has been replaced comes just weeks after Disney once again declined to recognize the prolific voice actor as a Disney Legend.
“40+ years. 1500+ characters. The voice of generations. No comment,” Cummings wrote in response.
Taken together, the developments raise questions about Cummings’ current relationship with the company he has worked with for decades.
Seth Rogen Casts Himself as Launchpad
Rogen’s decision to cast himself as Launchpad McQuack is also noteworthy.
He is no stranger to voice acting, having appeared in Kung Fu Panda, The Lion King, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Sausage Party. However, his distinctive voice and laugh are a significant departure from what longtime fans appreciated about Terry McGovern’s performance.
Seth Rogen – The New York Times, YouTube
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Hamill has also built a remarkable second career in voice acting, most notably as the Joker across numerous Batman projects. Yet he is one year older than Cummings, making it difficult to argue that Disney wanted a younger performer.
Cummings also has a significantly longer voice-acting résumé and a decades-long connection to Darkwing Duck.
Both Rogen and Hamill have been outspoken about their left-leaning political views. Cummings, meanwhile, has remained mostly silent about politics, although some observers have assumed he holds right-leaning sympathies.
There is no evidence that politics influenced Disney’s casting decisions. Nevertheless, the contrast will inevitably fuel speculation among fans already distrustful of the company’s handling of its legacy characters.
Fans Question Disney’s New Direction
Online reactions have been largely negative. Many X users have expressed concerns that Rogen and Hamill’s involvement will make the series less about nostalgia and more about pushing a message.
Unceremoniously dumping Jim Cummings for stoner junkies and politically warped cranks? Gosh, I can’t wait to not watch.
— BlimpCo Omniversal (@Blimp_Co2) September 23, 2026
Others have said they are tired of hearing Rogen and Hamill in major franchises, particularly when Cummings was ready and willing to resume the role.
Original Darkwing Duck creator Tad Stones is attached to the revival as a consultant.
Stones defended the reinvention by comparing Darkwing to characters such as Robin Hood, Zorro, and Sherlock Holmes. Each has been reinterpreted by different creators across generations and mediums.
However, Disney’s decision to discard the performer who defined Darkwing Duck will inevitably overshadow the revival for longtime fans. Hamill is an accomplished voice actor, but replacing Cummings after he helped test the project makes this return considerably harder to celebrate.
How do you feel about Disney’s decision to recast Darkwing Duck as Mark Hamill? Sound off and let us know!
