The Proud Family Reboot - What We Know So Far

Some would argue that Disney sitcoms are a dime a dozen, especially considering the sheer number the company has produced over the years: Hannah Montana, That's So Raven, and Lizzie McGuire, just to name a few. So, what made  more than just another drop in the House of Mouse's vast ocean of content?

Speaking from a purely historical standpoint, The Proud Family made its stamp as Disney's first animated sitcom (and Original Series), with the antics of the genre amplified tenfold as a result. Historical significance aside, it emphasized the importance of culture and diversity through the lens of family — big themes for a kids' show, yet handled extremely well thanks to a balance of humor and serious moments.

Back in February 2020, a revival series titled The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder was announced, to appear on Disney+. Here's what we know so far about when we might see it, and what it'll look like when we do.

The original The Proud Family aired from 2001-2005, comprising two seasons and a Disney Channel Original Movie to round things off. Each and every episode opened with the now-iconic theme song by Solange Knowles and Destiny's Child, which was a real treat for the ears. The best part: The show is currently available to stream on Disney+ in all its eccentric glory.

That's all well and good, but Louder and Prouder's arrival time is up in the air. As everyone's undoubtedly been tired of hearing since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020, worldwide shutdown measures are placing an obstacle course of restrictions on production time and efficiency. That being the case, there's no known release date for the reboot, even months after the February 2020 announcement.

A conservative estimate puts the pilot episode somewhere in late 2020 or early 2021, but there's really no telling how accurate that might be. Details are nebulous about how much progress Disney has or hasn't made on the show, but there are a wealth of moving parts when it comes to animation. The Proud Family was lovingly animated, and Louder and Prouder looks to replicate that style for modern audiences, meaning there's surely plenty of work to be done.

For anyone upset or annoyed by the lack of a release date, the casting news is guaranteed to lift your spirits. To make a long story short, as if the show getting a second coming wasn't nostalgic enough already, the entire original voice cast is returning! Kyla Pratt as protagonist Penny Proud, Cedric the Entertainer as Uncle Bobby Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama — they're all here to reprise their fan-beloved roles. Newer fans are just as lucky, as the voice acting was easily one of The Proud Family's highlights.

Joining the veteran voice cast is actress, musician, and self-proclaimed The Proud Family fan Keke Palmer, who will be playing brand new character Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins. Described as someone who "will not hesitate to shut anyone down with her blunt honesty and wisdom," she is a 14-year-old activist, but not much else is known. Palmer moderated the The Proud Family virtual cast reunion at the NAACP's Arts, Culture, and Entertainment Festival, so she's evidently quite active in nudging hype for the reboot along.

Beyond The Proud Family's voices, executive producers Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar, as well as co-executive producer Calvin Brown Jr., are devoting themselves to Louder and Prouder. All three worked on the original series, so the spiritual sequel is likely to feel similar even while being adapted for today's sensibilities.

The Proud Family covered a lot of thematic ground in its four-year runtime, but what it really all boiled down to was an African-American teenage girl growing up, getting into trouble with and because of her friends, and trying to make heads or tails of the insanity of family life. The show achieved this with humor and heart, serving as "a brilliant social commentary on our life and times" all "under the guise of a family comedy," according to Disney Channels Worldwide president and chief creative officer Gary Marsh in a February 2020 interview.

Louder and Prouder is looking to take up the torch nearly 20 years later, bringing back the original's family dynamics and deeper messages in a modern context. The stories in store will reflect on how the world has changed — and how it's stayed the same — in that span of time, though the specifics are anyone's guess.

Palmer's character Maya being an activist hints at the possibility of heightened tensions upon her introduction. Will Louder and Prouder explore the Black Lives Matter movement through her? The coronavirus? The general political climate? With how intimately its predecessor addressed all things topical in its day, Penny's life is sure to be relevant and relatable as ever.