Following the extended trailer reveal at D23, speculation surrounding potential worlds in Kingdom Hearts 4 has intensified. While realistic inclusions are a common topic, the vast portfolio acquired by Disney through mergers presents opportunities for truly unexpected and baffling crossovers.
One such possibility stems from Disney's 20th Century Fox acquisition, which grants access to properties like Avatar. Although James Cameron retains creative control, Disney holds distribution and merchandising rights, opening a theoretical path for Sora to visit Pandora and interact with its inhabitants, pending Cameron's approval.
Another peculiar prospect is a world based on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show has demonstrated a capacity for crossovers, even with more family-friendly content like Abbott Elementary. The concept of the show's characters forming an RPG party offers comedic potential, though the mature themes of the series make its inclusion unlikely.
The Alien franchise presents a darker, yet still technically possible, addition. A less menacing version of the Xenomorph could serve as an ally or antagonist, with opportunities for characters like Ellen Ripley or the android David to appear. The Weyland-Yutani Corporation could also feature, albeit without the graphic chest-bursting scenes.
The Indiana Jones franchise, another beloved adventure series owned by Disney, seems a more plausible candidate, especially given the previous inclusion of a Pirates of the Caribbean world. This could lead to interesting character dynamics, perhaps even a humorous observation from Sora about the similarities between Han Solo and Indiana Jones.
Springfield from The Simpsons offers a rich universe of characters and scenarios. Leveraging this Fox property could provide opportunities to explore the antics of both well-known and obscure characters, such as Hank Scorpio.
The Predator universe could also make an appearance. The recent film Predator: Badlands introduced a compelling character, Dek, whose plasma-edged sword could be reimagined as a Keyblade, and whose humorous personality could make for an engaging companion for Sora.
Even ESPN, owned by Disney for decades, could theoretically be a world. The juxtaposition of sports personalities and cartoon characters offers a unique comedic angle, though current shifts in ESPN's content direction might make certain aspects less appealing.
The X-Files, currently experiencing a resurgence, could offer Kingdom Hearts a chance to explore elements of horror, drama, or comedy. The series' supernatural themes and iconic characters provide ample material for a crossover.
Futurama's New New York is another sci-fi possibility. Despite Bender's often inappropriate dialogue for the target audience, the show's vibrant world and quirky cast, like Fry, could provide entertaining encounters for Sora and his companions.
Post-apocalyptic Earth from the Planet of the Apes trilogy offers a more emotionally resonant setting. The journey of Caesar, from infant chimpanzee to ape leader, aligns with the kind of impactful storytelling found in Kingdom Hearts, and the apes themselves could easily integrate into combat alongside Sora's party.
Finally, Quahog from Family Guy, another 20th Century Studios property, represents a more outlandish but amusing prospect, given the show's distinct humor and characters.