Adaptation of Fritz Lang’s Classic Sci-fi Film “Metropolis” Becomes First Casualty of 2023 Hollywood Strikes
(Photo by Michael Buckner via Getty Images)
Hollywood, CA – Sam Esmail’s highly anticipated adaptation of Fritz Lang’s iconic 1927 sci-fi film “Metropolis” has been canceled due to the ongoing Hollywood strikes. The series, which had been in the works for several years, was set to be a major production for the UCP studio. However, the work stoppage by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) led to the cancellation of the project.
The decision to pull the plug on “Metropolis” came seven weeks into the strike, during which time the studio was unable to proceed with the production. The series had already begun pre-production in Australia and had assembled a partial cast, including Briana Middleton and Lindy Booth. Unfortunately, the strike prevented Esmail from commenting on the cancellation at the time.
However, Esmail recently shared his disappointment during the red carpet premiere of his upcoming Netflix movie, “Leave the World Behind.” He expressed that while the cancellation of “Metropolis” was heartbreaking, he understood the reasons behind it and appreciated the opportunity to work with talented individuals in Australia.
The cancellation of “Metropolis” was ultimately due to the delays caused by the strike. Production drafts of the scripts were not completed before the strike began, which hindered crucial elements of pre-production, including budgeting and planning for special effects-heavy sequences.
After seven weeks of uncertainty, UCP evaluated the expenses incurred during the pre-production phase and the potential risks of proceeding with the series amid rising costs. With ongoing strikes by both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA, the studio made the difficult decision not to move forward with “Metropolis” and informed their partners at Apple TV+.
A representative for the studio stated, “Push costs and uncertainty related to the ongoing strike led to this difficult decision.” The decision not to proceed with the series was a blow to the state of Victoria, where the filming was set to take place. The production was projected to create nearly 4,000 jobs and utilize one of the world’s largest ‘virtual production’ infrastructures.
“Metropolis” was a passion project for Sam Esmail, the creator of the hit series “Mr. Robot.” He had been working on the adaptation as a writer, director, and executive producer for over seven years. While the cancellation is currently considered final, Esmail remains hopeful, saying, “It’s Hollywood, who knows?”
As the Hollywood strikes continue to affect the industry, the cancellation of “Metropolis” serves as a significant setback for all involved. The future of the TV series remains uncertain, but fans and industry insiders will be eagerly waiting to see if a revival is possible.
Watch Sam Esmail’s comments on the cancellation of “Metropolis” in the video below.