Please, for the love of God, don’t hold your breath on this one. But there are rumblings emerging that a fourth film in the beloved Mighty Ducks franchise is not completely out of the realms of possibility. In the depths of an excellent and very in-depth oral history of the film franchise posted over at Time, the desire to add to the legacy of the District 5, later Team USA, later Eden Hall Ducks still burns within the hearts of the film’s creator, as well as its star.
Joshua Jackson, who some of you might remember as Pacey from Dawson’s Creek, but who others more rightly remember as the Ducks’ inspirational Captain, Charlie Conway, stated that he feels “like a fourth film should happen,” and that “If there was space for any of the original kids that come back and have a role, I would be surprised that anybody didn’t want to do it.“
“The next generation should have its own version.“
The film’s original producer, Jordan Kerner, also stated that while he’s “not going to fuel the rumour mill that it’s going to happen,” Disney have told him that they would be interested if “the right story” came along.
The “right story” ay, Disney? *cracks fingers*
Following the runaway success of the development of a bunch of misfit youths into college-level hockey players, Gordon Bombay was poached from his job at the Junior Goodwill Games and appointed as a development coach in the NHL feeder leagues. His success there quickly saw him rise through the ranks and, five years after the intra-Eden Hall battle seen in D3, Bombay is appointed head coach of the Anaheim Ducks NHL franchise.
The roster he inherits is full of league veterans with major chips on their shoulders, lead by once-legendary forward Patrick LaFleur (in keeping with Mighty Ducks tradition, to be played by the same guy who played both Gunner Stahl in D2, and the Varsity Goalie in D3) who believes he is owed a Stanley Cup ring in his last season.
The team quickly falters due to in-fighting, and their opening season record is not great. When things look their bleakest for Bombay’s coaching career, an ongoing players union dispute with the franchise bosses reaches boiling point, and the players stage a walk out and strike, gutting the Ducks’ roster.
Bombay, inspired by a visit to the grave of his old friend and mentor Hans, convinces the Ducks board to not forfeit their season with the promise that he can find fill-in players. The board gives him the opportunity with the proviso that if he fails, he’s fired. Bombay goes on a mercy mission to Minnesota to rally the old roster of the original Mighty Ducks team, all of whom are now grown up and in vastly different walks of life.
Goldberg has settled in to the family deli business, Fulton Reed is a correctional officer, Lester Averman the presenter on a local breakfast radio show, Adam Banks coaches high school basketball. Charlie Conway, however, has a family and a safe job, and can’t afford to chase the dream one last time. Bombay convinces the rest of them to give it one last shot and flies the group out to Anaheim for a crash course in professional hockey.
Unsurprisingly, they suck completely at first, and their first few games are disasters. But slowly, over time, they improve. And when Charlie Conway arrives unexpectedly, the team fires up and goes on a remarkable winning streak, lifting them into the playoffs, through which they are successful. But after managing to scrape through the Western Conference Finals and in the Stanley Cup final, LaFleur crosses the picket line and demands his spot in the Ducks for the cup.
LaFleur and Conway clash, and the pair agrees to a secret 1-on-1 playoff game for the right to represent the Ducks’ name in the Stanley Cup. The game is a trap, however, and the pro sets out to intentionally injure the original Duck. Bombay arrives just in time to stop the farce, but the Chairman of the Board informs everyone that LaFleur will suit up for the Ducks instead of Conway.
But in the playoffs, LaFleur’s aging body can’t keep up with the speed of the game, and the team suffers. In a moment of humility, he finally admits he doesn’t have what it takes anymore, and that glory for the team is more important than glory for the individual. He hands his jersey to Conway, who emerges in Game 7 to help lift the Ducks from a seemingly unwinnable position to ultimately capture the cup in overtime.
Bombay and LaFleur shake hands as Charlie Conway raises the Stanley Cup. Freeze frame. Fade out. Roll credits.
YOU’RE GODDAMNED WELCOME, DISNEY.
Photo: Tim Boyle via Getty Images.
via The AV Club.
