- Sam Esmail’s adaptation of Metropolis cancelled
- Writers strike, rising costs, and other challenges contribute to cancellation
- Apple TV+ and Universal Studio Group’s UCP were involved in show’s production
Sadly, the journey to the world of Metropolis has come to an abrupt halt. Sam Esmail’s highly-anticipated TV adaptation of Fritz Lang’s iconic 1927 science-fiction movie has been dropped, as first reported by Deadline.
The studio responsible for the series, UCP (a division of Universal Studio Group), cited several reasons for the cancellation. A representative stated, “Push costs and uncertainty related to the ongoing strike led to this difficult decision.” The project had already faced numerous challenges, as script drafts were left incomplete prior to the writers strike that began on May 2nd. Moreover, budgetary decisions and other key pre-production aspects remained unresolved during that time. Additionally, the increasing costs associated with constructing and maintaining sizable stages, as well as labor-intensive VFX work, negatively impacted the project. After assessing the total amount spent and potential future financial risks, UCP ultimately decided to discontinue the series, notifying their partners at Apple TV+.
The original film, set in the year 2026, revolves around a divided society where workers are forced to dwell in a dark underground, while the wealthy reside in a futuristic city of luxury. The series had already partially cast its actors, with Briana Middleton (The Tender Bar) as the lead character and Lindy Booth (The Librarians) in a prominent role.
Apple TV+ ordered the series in March of the previous year, with Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail expressing immense enthusiasm for the project. Esmail was set to serve as showrunner, as well as write and direct each episode.
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