Netflix bets big with 'The Electric State', a futuristic spectacle
This week, Netflix brought its viewers one of the cinematic hits of 2023, "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts." However, it also aimed to create a similar super spectacle and produced "The Electric State," the most expensive film in streaming history. Here is its official trailer.
Until now, Netflix's streaming platform has not produced a film that could match the scale of Hollywood blockbusters ("Rebel Moon" was a disaster). So, it's unsurprising that massive hits like "Edge of Tomorrow" or "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" are so popular on the service.
The sixth instalment, or if you include "Bumblebee," the seventh in the eternal war between the Autobots and Decepticons, ranks second on Netflix's list of hits in Poland. It only trails this year's biggest platform hit, "Security Check." "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" cost about $200 million. Netflix spent $430 million on a similar film!
This way, "The Electric State" became the most expensive film production in the history of streaming platforms, and at the same time, one of the most expensive in film history (even the latest "Mission: Impossible" won't cost that much). What was the money spent on? Of course, actors can receive up to $67 million for roles in VOD productions (see: Dwayne Johnson – "Red One" for Prime Video). And in "The Electric State," we have two big stars: cinema's Chris Pratt and Netflix's Millie Bobby Brown.
The trailer that appeared online (previously, only a teaser of the film was available) shows that producers spared no expense on special effects and scenery. So, maybe it will finally be possible to create a cinematic spectacle on the level of Hollywood productions.
The Russo brothers are behind the project. Perhaps lured by the significant money, they shifted from working closely with Hollywood studios after their spectacular successes with two "Captain America" films and the "Avengers." They are now creating movies and series for streaming platforms. They based their latest project on the graphic novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, known for unique projects in the spirit of retrofuturism and dystopia. "The Electric State" is scheduled to premiere on March 14, 2025.
