Netflix Is Releasing Its Most Expensive Movie With Stranger Things Star Next Month – Don't Miss It
Let's see where all that money went.
Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag rose to fame with a series of works in the retrofuturist genre, where pastoral landscapes coexist with high-tech elements.
After his creations attracted attention, Simon published a story art book where he accompanied his drawings with short stories telling about a bizarre world. The book caught the attention of Amazon, which filmed an anthology series based on it, Tales from the Loop.
In 2017, the Russo brothers acquired the rights to film Stålenhag's third book, titled The Electric State.
Andy and Barbara Muschietti were originally slated to direct the project, but later Anthony and Joe Russo decided to direct a movie based on Stålenhag's book themselves for Netflix.
The Electric State Original Backstory
The Electric State tells the story of a world devastated by war. During the global conflict, an advanced technology was created: the military used drones remotely controlled by pilots using virtual reality.
The technology used to control the drones had a terrible side effect: the pilots began to have only stillborn children. Later, virtual reality was used not only by the military, but also by ordinary citizens for entertainment – and it became a disaster.
What Will the Movie Be About?
The movie takes place in the fictional state of Pacifica. The main character, an orphan named Michelle, travels to San Francisco to find her younger brother.
On her journey, she is accompanied by a funny yellow robot, and a mysterious stranger.
The Electric State Is About to Become the Most Expensive Original Netflix Movie
According to World of Reel, The Electric State cost around $320 million to produce. The budget was not only inflated because of the visual effects and sets. There were also some behind-the-scenes issues that affected the cost.
The production began in October 2022. A month later, it was suspended after a crew member died in a car accident. Filming officially ended in February 2023.
However, reshoots took place in March and April 2024. Also, the project was delayed due to the Hollywood strikes.
Netflix's most expensive films to date are The Gray Man and Red Notice, which cost $200 million each.
The Electric State Cast, Trailer & Release Date
Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown plays in the main role, with Chris Pratt, Stanley Tucci, Ke Huy Quan and Giancarlo Esposito also in the cast.
Netflix recently released the second official trailer for The Electric State. The movie will be released on the streaming service in just one month – March 14, 2025.