HBO Max's launch of the animated series The Prince has been pushed back because of the death of Prince Philip. The streaming platform was supposed to begin the show's run sometime in late spring but it has now been delayed.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, sources at HBO Max said that The Prince does not paint a flattering picture of the queen's husband thus the reason for the delay. While the animated series is a tongue-in-cheek presentation based on the royal family, the streamer's executives did not want to take a chance with the public especially after the royals are still grieving the loss of their patriarch.
HBO Max executives confirmed that they had to adjust the debut of the animated show, which was created by comedy writer Gary Janetti. Source said that there's no word if the character of Philip, which was voiced by Dan Stevens, will be redrawn or rewritten as part of this adjustment. The streamer also did not give a new release date target for the series.
Royal journalist Robert Jobson said that the animated program depicted Philip as an "old buffoon" and in light of his death, it could be seen as cheap and unnecessary. However, those close to the Duke of Edinburgh said that he will likely understand the satire behind the animated series.
Jobson said that the queen's husband has a big sense of humor and would have taken The Prince with a pinch of salt. In fact, Philip saw the humor in how he was depicted in The Cartoon Museum and was more fascinated than offendedby it.
Meanwhile, The Prince centers on Prince George's point-of-view as a royal observer and insider. The show also features the voices of Orlando Bloom, Lucy Punch, Iwan Rheon, Sophie Turner and Condola Rashad.
Some royal fans have been criticizing the show before it even aired because they think it's cruel and unfair to the royal family, especially since George, the eldest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton, is portrayed as a character who is rude, out of touch and snobbish. Fans think the mockery of a child for "cheap laughs" is underserved.
The voice actors on The Prince, however, defended the program as a smartly-written satire. Bloom, who lent his voice to the character of Prince Harry, said that the real prince will likely appreciate the show because Harry has a sense of humor about himself as well.
