Latest Movies

Why a new Netflix movie took 7 years ‘and $320,000,000’ to make

June 14, 20245 Mins Read


The front cover of THE ELECTRIC STATE, a graphic novel by Simon Stalenhag
We’re still waiting for more information on what might be one of Netflix’s most expensive ever films, due to release later in 2024 (Picture: Simon and Schuster)

Netflix has a massive film in the works that’s helmed by some of Hollywood’s biggest directors, with a starry cast led by Millie Bobby Brown – and is reported to have cost an eye-watering $320,000,000 (£252million).

That rumoured number could increase yet too as fans are still waiting for an official release date for The Electric State.

All that’s been said so far is that the next blockbuster coming to us courtesy of Marvel alumni Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed two Avengers films among others, should be released at some point in 2024.

Scant details have been released for the film to date, which is an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 graphic novel of the same name.

What we do know is that it follows Stranger Things star Brown, 20, as orphaned teenager Michelle who traverses the American West in search of her younger brother in a retro-futuristic past.

Joining her on the journey is a sweet but mysterious robot and an eccentric drifter. 

Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in a still from STRANGER THINGS
Millie Bobby Brown leads the A-list cast in the upcoming movie, The Electric State (Picture: Netflix)
Millie Bobby Brown is pictured filming 'The Electric State' in Atlanta, Georgia. The actress was spotted in denim overalls and sporting long wavy hair for her scene. The film directed by Joe and Anthony Russo is based on the adaptation of the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag and is set in a retro-futuristic past
She plays orphaned teen Michelle in the sci-fi film (Picture: Backgrid)

She’s joined in the cast by Chris Pratt, Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci and Jason Alexander, as well as the voice talents of Brian Cox, Anthony Mackie, Billy Bob Thornton and Megalopolis star Giancarlo Esposito.

On the book publisher’s website it, rather fittingly, describes the graphic novel, set in 1997, as ‘Stranger Things meets On the Road’.

The Russo brothers have been planning their movie version of it since 2017, when they acquired the rights to The Electric State pre-publication, after what was said to be a ‘heated bidding war’, according to Deadline.

It was then announced in December of that year, with the siblings producing it through Russo Brothers Studio and It and soon-to-be The Flash’s Andy Muschietti directing.

Nearly seven years later and fans are yet to see a poster, official image or even teaser trailer for the movie which looks set to be Netflix’s next major blockbuster.

After all, the Russos helmed one of the streamer’s most watched films of all time in The Gray Man in 2022, which is sixth on the overall list of Netflix’s most popular films with 139,300,000 views in its first 91 days.

The Electric State By Simon Stalenhag
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo initially snapped up the rights to the graphic novel way back in 2017, pre-publication (Picture: Simon and Schuster)
The Gray Man, also directed by Joe and Anthony Russo for Netflix, is one of the streamer’s most popular-ever films (Picture: Paul Abell/Netflix via AP)

It did so well that Netflix announced a sequel, bringing back star Ryan Gosling and the Russo brothers, just days after the first film’s release, although it remains in ‘active development’ two years on as the creatives try to figure out a story.

That may go some way to explain why the The Electric State’s budget has reportedly swollen to $320m, according to World of Reel, as well as its lengthy gestation period.

It’s also going to get a theatrical release before streaming on Netflix, given that it was initially a project that Universal won the distribution rights to back in 2020.

However, after three years between acquisition and a distribution deal for the Russos, a further lag happened after the deal fell through.

By June 2022, they were transferred to Netflix due to Universal’s change of heart over a run in cinemas.

There had also already been delays as the production waited for the Russo brothers to wrap on The Gray Man, and for Brown to finish shooting season four of Stranger Things.

Directors Joe & Anthony Russo on set during the first week of production on The Electric State
Initially, the Russo brothers were going to produce only before taking on directorial duties as well (Picture: AGBO Films/Instagram)
A picture of the script for The Electric State movie adaptation
The film started shooting back in 2022 (Picture: AGBO Films/Instagram)

Tragically, once filming finally got underway in October 2022, it was paused a month in after a member of the crew died in a car crash off-set.

Principal photography then finished in February 2023.

However, it wasn’t until earlier this year that reshoots occurred, which happened between March and April.

So after years in the making, and seemingly with just months to go beofr release, The Electric State is still rather a mystery to fans.

Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Joe and Anthony Russo and Netflix for comment.

The Electric State is yet to receive a release date, but is expected later in 2024.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.


MORE : Oscar-winning Hollywood legend shocks in new role playing Octopus that has sex with humans


MORE : Whoopi Goldberg joins comedians entertaining the Pope – after offering Sister Act 3 role


MORE : Journey’s Jonathan Cain won’t stop believin’ Donald Trump is innocent



Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Get our latest downloads and information first.
Complete the form below to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.


No, thank you. I do not want.
100% secure your website.