Out of all the animated series ever curated by the DC Animated Universe, perhaps none comes as close to perfection and fans’ hearts as Young Justice. A masterpiece, it ruled the hearts of fans worldwide throughout the time it aired. But despite such success, it had to end its run as unexpectedly as ever, leaving fans from all around the globe absolutely devastated.
Previously, the reason behind this sudden cancelation was being widely cited as the huge female fanbase the series attracted. However, as it turns out, those rumors were hardly the case in real life, for the real reason was actually “economics,” as showrunner Greg Weisman himself clarified. And when we share this reason with you, you’ll end up hating Mattel even more than ever before.
Was Mattel the Reason Why Young Justice Was Canceled?
As heartbreaking as may be to believe it, yes: Mattel was, indeed, the reason why the DC Animated Universe’s masterpiece animated series was canceled. And guess what? It was none other than showrunner Greg Weisman himself who confirmed it.
Initially, when rumors were floating around that the young superheroes’ series was axed due to “the huge female viewership,” Weisman jumped in to clarify through his X handle (@Greg_Weisman) that those rumors were anything but true and that the real reason was “economics”.
“@elfaulkner84: @Greg_Weisman How much of the Young Justice was cancelled because of the huge female viewership is true?” ZERO!
— Greg Weisman (@Greg_Weisman) October 12, 2014
“@Emily_J24: @Greg_Weisman @elfaulkner84 so then why the fuck was it cancelled!!!” Economics.
— Greg Weisman (@Greg_Weisman) October 12, 2014
While this tweet shared back in 2014 made rounds on the internet enraging all the fans of the superhit animated series, almost a decade later, Weisman once again took to his X handle to elaborate on what actually was the real reason. He wrote:
Actually, #YoungJustice was popular with both genders, which was a good thing. The budget was reasonable. And the ratings were fine. The reason we ceased production after Season Two was that Mattel dropped Young Justice as a toy line, and they were footing the bill. Period. https://t.co/Cw46WSFYPk
— Greg Weisman (@Greg_Weisman) January 6, 2023
According to what Weisman shared, the apparent blame behind the show’s cancelation eventually landed on the renowned toy company. And for those who may be unable to form the connection between the two: Mattel was the one funding Young Justice.
Since that toy company was the one investing in the series and producing a complementary toy line of the same, it held the authority over the funding conditions. Thus, when the merchandise for the series failed to garner enough sales as expected, the toy company backed off from the funding.
To put it in a nutshell, Mattel’s pulling away from funding the show led to the young superhero series losing out on its funding. And since funding is the primary base for getting any project off the ground, Weisman’s masterpiece series ended up getting canceled and shut down.
Fans Hate the Fact that Young Justice was Canceled Because of a Toy Company
Since the mere revelation that something as brilliant as Greg Weisman’s most popular animated series was shut off because of some toys not selling is indeed enraging, fans didn’t hold back on their anger while expressing their reactions to this revelation from the mastermind showrunner.
This revelation has some fans revealing just how much it infuriates them to know that such great shows are actually being “held ransom” by toy sales. Others, in the meanwhile, are pointing out that had they known this was the reason, they would’ve “bought every damn one of those toys.”
All in all, here are all the summed-up reactions of fans on the fact that it was Mattel that wounded up having Weisman’s blockbuster DC young superheroes series canceled:
It always comes down to the toys.
— Richard Alexander (@BritishMonkey92) January 7, 2023
As fans, we wish it was clear that THAT was metric you were being judged on. If the fan base was aware, I think we would’ve rallied and bought every damn one of those toys
— Jon Wayne (@the_jon_wayne) January 7, 2023
I really hate how many great cartoons are held ransom by toy/merch sales.
— Descovy Diamond 💎 (@D0wJ0nEs) January 8, 2023
That’s pretty dumb
Tons of good shows are made these days and they barley have any merch, like the Owl House (little to no merch, and yet is one of the highest rated Disney shows ever made)
If the fans love the story and the characters within, then I say that’s a win for me.
— Adventuremaker21 (@Adventuremaker7) January 8, 2023
Wish I’d known, would have bought merchandise to keep it going! Still hoping for more new seasons 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
— Ally Viz (@lilvizzz) January 7, 2023
Argh. I hate it when a show I enjoy is killed by the toy line side of the equation. But if they are paying for it, what are you gonna do? Anyway, thanks for those two seasons, I had a blast.
— Matthew Pinkerton (@mattApink) January 7, 2023
I hate that so many good shows are only made as long as they can sell merchandise.
— Dr. Eizenfaust🜏(she/her)🏳️⚧️ (@DrEizenfaust_) January 7, 2023
Well, for what it’s worth, these furious fan reviews should be enough to convey the message to the DC Animated Universe that the only thing affecting the continuity of a show should be the viewership and rating it gets, and not the sales of the show’s merch.
You can stream all four seasons of Young Justice on Netflix.
