The Russo brothers’The Electric Statemay have only just landed on Netflix, but Joe Russo has already addressed the possibility of a sequel. Based on the illustrated novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, the Russo’s latest big-budget outing unitesStranger Thingsstar Millie Bobby Brown withGuardians of the Galaxy’sChris Pratt in an effects-laden sci-fi adventure set in an alternate 1990s. Released on Netflix on March 14,The Electric State’ssupporting castalso boasts a notable list of talent, including Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, and Anthony Mackie.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly,Joe Russo admitted that whilehe and his brother have no plans to develop a sequel toThe Electric State,they do intend to expand the property in other ways. In addition to a tie-in mobile game, dubbedThe Electric State: Kid Cosmo,the director revealed that they are also discussing a possible television show. Check out his comments below:
We love immersive worlds, so we always try to build worlds that have the capability for future storytelling, because that’s what we like. There is a game currently that’s being released with the movie, and we’re in discussions around a potential show idea that could work for it, but no sequel conversations as of yet.
What Joe Russo’s Comments Mean For The Electric State 2
Reviews For The First Movie Have Been Largely Underwhelming
Even before its streaming release, the critical responses to the Russo’s latest offering have been largely underwhelming. Serving as the lowest Rotten Tomatoes premiere score of Brown’s career,reviews forThe Electric Statehave repeatedly taken issue with the movie’s departure from the source material, plotting and performances. However,the general audience response has been far more positive, and the movie’s current 73% RT audience score speaks to yet another example of a growing divide between the opinions of professional critics and general viewers.
As of writing,The Electric Statehas a 15% critical score and a 73% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Whether this kind of response may be enough to prompt Netflix to develop a sequel that picks up directly afterThe Electric State’sendingis a matter of some debate, but it is clear thatthe movieis still generating enough interestto justify early discussions about a tie-in television series. However, there is a significant difference between potential discussions and receiving an official series order, and the streamer may still be waiting to see what the movie’s viewership numbers look like before committing to any longer-term plans.
The other major factor Netflix will have to consider in expandingThe Electric Statebeyond its first installment is the price tag that comes with a potential sequel or TV show. Reports have already put the first movieas having a production budget of up to $320 million, making it both one of the most expensive movies ever made, and Netflix’s most expensive project. If the movie doesn’t garner a large enough viewership to make for a profitable return on it,The Electric State 2may not get off the ground.
While those familiar with Stålenhag’s work may bemoan the Russo brothers' departure from his original illustrated novel,The Electric State’s1990s-inspired brand of retro-futurism still appears to have struck a chord with many viewers, despite what critics have said. With the movie only just scratching the surface of a world divided by the effects of the war between humans and robots, a television series could potentially address many of the lingering questions about the movie’s unique sci-fi premise. However, whether those plans may evolve beyond the Russo’s initial discussions remains to be seen.
The Electric State
Cast
Michelle, an orphan in a robot-filled alternate 1990s, discovers her brother may still be alive after a mysterious robot visit. Teaming up with a smuggler and his sidekick, she ventures into the Exclusion Zone, only to uncover sinister forces behind her brother’s fate.
