Netflix’s Most Expensive Film Ever Spells Disaster For Avengers: Doomsday

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Summary

  • Electric State misses book’s somber tone with loud adaptation.
  • Netflix struggles with book adaptations, missing nuance and integrity.
  • Robert Downey Jr is writing his character’s backstory for Doomsday, a slight concern for fans.

It seems that the working title of “Avengers: Doomsday” could be reconsidered, given Netflix’s most expensive production to date, “Electric State,” directed by the Russo Brothers and featuring Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown, has received a poor reception from critics with a 22% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Since their last successful project, “Endgame,” the Russo Brothers haven’t delivered a hit, and this $320 million film that critics have panned does not instill confidence in the upcoming Marvel production intended to rejuvenate the brand.

It’s troubling news that one of the main writers for the Avengers movies, Christopher Markus, has decided not to participate in the upcoming Russo Avengers project, as reported by Collider. Markus, who contributed significantly to the previous Avengers films, won’t be involved in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ due to personal reasons. Although it’s comforting that he didn’t point to creative disagreements for his departure, it’s concerning because his absence will leave a gap in the writing process given that the Russo Brothers aren’t known for their strong writing abilities, as demonstrated by the poorly received Netflix series ‘Electric State.’

Electric State Lacks Its Source’s Spark

Initial feedback on Netflix’s “The Electric State” indicates that the film fails to capture the essence of its source material, Simon Stålenhag’s 2018 book. Both the book and the movie follow a young girl journeying through a dystopian 90s American landscape in search of her missing brother. However, beyond this basic premise, there seems to be little alignment between the two stories. It almost appears as though the filmmakers (specifically, the Russo Brothers) did not fully understand or appreciate the source material.

The book is a thoughtful, introspective, and cautionary narrative about a society devastated by excessive consumerism. In contrast, the movie is a sensory overload, focusing more on spectacle than storytelling. As a result, the film’s shallow approach contradicts the depth found in the book.

Who’s To Blame? Netflix Or The Russo Brothers?

Recently, it appears that Netflix is finding it difficult to execute book adaptations effectively. For example, “The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep,” which is an anime adaptation from Andrzej Sapkowski’s short story with the same title, has received unfavorable reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, critics seemed to appreciate it slightly more than the general audience, as it garnered a 40% rating from audiences and a 56% score from critics.

In Sapkowski’s book, we follow the complex journey of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia as he explores his compassionate side, forming meaningful relationships, and even showing mercy towards his aquatic targets. The narrative is rich with political intrigue and a sense of danger hanging over it like the ominous presence of a sea monster, a kraken. Although the Netflix adaptation emphasizes Geralt’s softer moments and displays his empathy, it focuses more on the action sequences, particularly the kraken, which was not part of the original text. The book concludes with a poignant, emotional finale, while the Netflix series favors a more conventional, less tragic ending.

The gap between a book like “The Electric State” and its upcoming Netflix adaptation has been a common complaint among fans before the film’s premiere. The trailer appears to reveal too much of the book’s enigmatic content, suggesting that the filmmakers may not be as committed to preserving the original material’s essence. In the novel, the robots were ominous and added to the spooky ambiance, keeping readers hooked. However, the robots in the film appear friendly and overly prominent, which is a stark contrast. It’s worrying that the Netflix adaptation seems to rely heavily on CGI, celebrity appeal, and weak remaining intrigue to fill two hours of screen time.

It’s worth noting that Netflix’s adaptations haven’t always fallen short. For instance, Netflix’s 2022 film “Extraction 2” is an adaptation of the graphic novel “Ciudad” by Ande Parks, which received a remarkable 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, the Russo Brothers, who are known for their work in films like “The Avengers,” were also involved in writing “Ciudad.” This could be one reason why the original source material was treated with great care and respect during the adaptation process.

Is Robert Downey Jr. The Answer To All Avengers Concerns?

Robert Downey Jr., in his upcoming role as Dr. Doom, is not only showing great respect for the character but also going beyond acting by collaborating extensively with the Russo Brothers. It’s possible that RDJ could fill a creative gap left by the departure of their former writing partner Markus. According to Variety, Downey Jr. has even taken on the task of crafting Dr. Doom’s backstory, suggesting a deep immersion in his villainous role. At San Diego Comic Con 2024, Downey Jr. was unveiled as the Dr. Doom fans have been waiting for, and his actions might prove this even further.

While Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement in crafting his character’s backstory is undeniably exciting for fans, it also stirs some uncertainty. On one hand, an actor taking such interest shows dedication and passion towards the role. However, it leaves us questioning if the background work was already established for the film, or if Downey Jr.’s version wasn’t found satisfactory in earlier versions. Only time will tell.

What Does This Mean For Avengers: Doomsday?

In simpler terms, the latest high-cost film from the Russo Brothers has not been successful, and they have also lost a significant team member from the Avengers series. However, Robert Downey Jr. is stepping up as both writer and lead actor in an upcoming project that was once met with skepticism. The day reviews for “The Electric State” were published was a difficult one for the Russo Brothers. If reviews for the next Avengers movie are negative, it could be catastrophic for Marvel. Here’s hoping the Russo Brothers prioritize Marvel over “The Electric State.

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2025-03-12 15:34