Apple TV+ secures series adaptation of 1927 film 'Metropolis'
An adaptation of the 1927 classic sci-fi film "Metropolis" is heading to Apple TV+, with a series order placed for the retelling of the story by Sam Esmail.
The show is written and directed by Esmail, known for producing shows including "Mr. Robot" and "Gaslit." Esmail will also be the showrunner and an executive producer under Esmail Corp alongside Chad Hamilton, as part of a content deal with UCP.
The show was originally being developed between USP and Anonymous Content with Esmail onboard as early as 2016, reports Deadline. In 2021, Esmail let on that he was working on a pilot script.
"Metropolis," originally directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou, is based on the novel of the same name, also written by Harbou. The silent film, made in Germany, was considered a pioneering film, with it being referenced in many areas, including Queen's music video for "Radio Ga Ga."
Though the film was initially panned and suffered from numerous cuts in length, it has become iconic as one of the first sci-fi feature films to be produced. It is considered one of the world's most influential films, and is inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
The film follows Freder, the son of a powerful man in a city, one which features a gigantic class divide where workers keep a city running for the comfort of elites. Freder meets worker Maria, and the two attempt to bring the workers together with the city master, Freder's father.
There is no known timeframe for when the show will enter production and reach Apple TV+, but the original film is available to rent and buy on iTunes.
Read on AppleInsider
The show is written and directed by Esmail, known for producing shows including "Mr. Robot" and "Gaslit." Esmail will also be the showrunner and an executive producer under Esmail Corp alongside Chad Hamilton, as part of a content deal with UCP.
The show was originally being developed between USP and Anonymous Content with Esmail onboard as early as 2016, reports Deadline. In 2021, Esmail let on that he was working on a pilot script.
"Metropolis," originally directed by Fritz Lang and written by Thea von Harbou, is based on the novel of the same name, also written by Harbou. The silent film, made in Germany, was considered a pioneering film, with it being referenced in many areas, including Queen's music video for "Radio Ga Ga."
Though the film was initially panned and suffered from numerous cuts in length, it has become iconic as one of the first sci-fi feature films to be produced. It is considered one of the world's most influential films, and is inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.
The film follows Freder, the son of a powerful man in a city, one which features a gigantic class divide where workers keep a city running for the comfort of elites. Freder meets worker Maria, and the two attempt to bring the workers together with the city master, Freder's father.
There is no known timeframe for when the show will enter production and reach Apple TV+, but the original film is available to rent and buy on iTunes.
Read on AppleInsider
Comments
Metropolis… to think this movie was made in 1927 is mindboggling. The visuals and the storytelling are stunning and remarkably ahead of their time by decades. A work of true genius.
I have a problem taking what is a very good movie and trying to make a series out of it. I've seen too many good ideas that were spoiled by taking what was a couple or three hours of material and spreading it over nine or ten. It's like they didn't learn the lesson from The Hobbit.
B. I’m very intrigued by the notion of a Metropolis series. The original had way too many cool/important ideas crammed into it (which is why large chunks of it were only restored in the last decade — it kept getting cut to be simpler for audiences to grasp).