Emilio Estevez 'not returning' to The Mighty Ducks due to Disney's COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Emilio Estevez is reportedly ‘not returning’ to The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers due to Disney’s strict COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cast and crew. 

The 59-year-old actor, who first starred in the franchise as coach Gordon Bombay in the 1992 hockey flick The Mighty Ducks, left the Disney+ series because of disagreements over the show’s vaccine requirements.

‘Disney Television Studios’ ABC Signature, which produces the hockey-themed sequel series, made the decision not to pick up Estevez’s option for Season 2 after weeks of back and forth with his team over the show’s Covid vaccination requirement,’ according to Deadline.

Stepping back: Emilio Estevez is reportedly ‘not returning’ to The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers due to Disney’s strict COVID-19 vaccine mandate for cast and crew; seen in 2019

Game Changers, like many Hollywood productions, has a policy that everyone in their Zone A group — actors and most crew members — must be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

DailyMail.com reached out to Emilio’s representatives for comment.

Estevez reprised his role as Coach Bombay for season one of Game Changers, which debuted on the streaming service in March and was picked up for another season in August. 

He’s played the role a host of times, first starring in the classic film nearly two decades ago before the sequel took the kids hockey team to the Olympics in D2: The Mighty Ducks.