Photo by Michael Buckner via Getty Images
Sam Esmail’s years-long work adapting Fritz Lang’s classic 1927 science fiction film “Metropolis” became one of the first major casualties of the Hollywood strikes of 2023. Seven weeks after the WGA work stoppage, the UCP studio moved , to which Esmail had an overall deal, pulled the plug on the big-budget series, which had been prepped in Australia with a partial cast including Briana Middleton and Lindy Booth.
Due to the strike, Esmail was unable to comment on the cancellation at this time. He shared his reaction tonight on the red carpet for his upcoming Netflix film Leave the World Behind, starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali.
“Obviously it was heartbreaking,” he told Deadline. “But during the strike we all understood. And I was able to work with a lot of talented people in Australia where we set up production. It was a really nice experience and I don’t regret it for a second.”
METROPOLIS, 1927
As Deadline reported at the time, setting budgets and other key elements of pre-production was delayed because production drafts for the scripts for the large-scale, special effects-heavy series had not been completed before the writers’ strike began on May 2.
After seven weeks of limbo, UCP assessed the funds spent to date and the risk of continuing given the rising costs associated with accelerating the start of production, building and operating extensive stages, labor and VFX work during a WGA strike and SAG – AFTRA strike threatened. The studio ultimately decided not to continue the series and notified its partners at Apple TV+.
“Printing costs and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing strike led to this difficult decision,” a studio representative told Deadline at the time.
Filming was scheduled to take place in the state of Victoria, where, according to the April 2022 announcement, nearly 4,000 jobs would be created and one of the world’s largest “virtual production” infrastructures would be used.
Metropolis was a passion project for Mr. Robot creator Esmail. He wrote, directed and executive produced the eight-part series, which he worked on for more than seven years.
Is this the end of the TV series “Metropolis”?
“It’s officially over at the moment, but it’s Hollywood, who knows?” Esmail said.
Watch a video of his comments to Deadline below.