Mouse Guard was a comic book series by David Petersen that featured an epic fantasy world about inhabited by sentient mice. Imagine Game Of Thrones or Lord Of The Rings, but replace humans and dragons with mice and owls. In fact, the concept of the Mouse Guard in the source material’s lore is similar to the real-world Knights Templar or even Game Of Thrones’ Night’s Watch.

An adaptation of that would’ve been awesome but unfortunately, the Disney-Fox merger has killed the Mouse Guard animated movie project and we’re only left with a demo of what could’ve been instead. Screenwriter Gary Whitta and director Wes Ball broke the news via Twitter:

In that spirit, I’m posting my complete MOUSE GUARD screenplay so even if people can’t see the movie they can at least see what I wrote. There were other writers who came after me but this is my original first draft. Please enjoy. The Guard prevails! (2/2) https://t.co/XaO12v9lAj

— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) June 26, 2019

Yes sadly, its true. Our #mouseguard movie is dead.

Seems it’s too big a risk. It’s a damn shame really. We had something special. To my hella talented cast/crew: I’m sorry I couldn’t push this one through. The past year with you all has been a blast. May the Guard prevail! pic.twitter.com/MGRq54uI6O

— Wes Ball (@wesball) June 26, 2019

The 9-minute-long Mouse Guard animated demo reel was rendered using Epic’s Unreal Engine, and it definitely shows, with gorgeous visuals. The mice ride on giant owls like dragons, with giant tortoises and snakes roaming the lush forests. We also get a glimpse of the intricate world with snippets of epic sword fight scenes.

The likes of Idris Elba, Andy Serkis, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster were already said to be attached to the Mouse Guard animated movie. Check out the amazing Mouse Guard animated movie demo reel below while I huddle into a corner and cry.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWHPhc2xNNU&w=560&h=315]