PlayStation Productions is currently experiencing a flurry of activity. Popular shows such as Twisted Metal and The Last of Us are set to premiere their second seasons, while films like Ghost of Tsushima and Uncharted 2 are in the works, albeit still in development. Netflix’s ambitious live-action adaptation of the popular video game Horizon Zero Dawn remains in limbo, its release uncertain and seemingly delayed indefinitely.
As post-apocalyptic online games like The Last of Us (TLOU) and Fallout set new standards, the Horizon TV series seemed like a safe bet – so what went wrong? Despite creative differences between artists and studios, its current form remains intact due to the influence of ‘artistic variations’. As a direct consequence of allegations surrounding “retaliation” and “toxic work environment”, Steve Blackman’s Netflix series The Umbrella Academy has suffered a catastrophic impact, following his appointment to develop PlayStation’s hit IP; Rolling Stone reports that Blackman’s next two projects have been axed.
The recent setback poses a significant challenge to both Netflix and PlayStation Productions’ highly anticipated slates. Netflix is wrapping up its hit shows Stranger Things and The Witcher, which have been two of the platform’s biggest series to date, and is now on the lookout for a new flagship program that can rival their massive popularity. Meanwhile, Sony’s online gaming adaptation arm hovered precariously close to securing rights to transform Horizon into a series, with God of War set for a speedy arrival on Amazon’s Prime Video.
Notably, Blackman vehemently refutes the claims, insisting that “these unfounded charges from a small group of dissatisfied employees are patently false and absurd, and in no way resemble the harmonious, esteem-based, and financially successful work environment cultivated by Mr. A renowned actress, Cicely Tyson, has honed her craft,” said a spokesperson in a press release issued to the Los Angeles Times on July 12. As Season 4 of The Umbrella Academy is set to premiere on August 8, questions linger about how Netflix will navigate the ensuing media frenzy in the following weeks.
Despite the massive popularity of the Horizon franchise within Sony’s ecosystem, cultural impact remains limited to “a visually stunning open-world game with impressive robotic designs” following two monumental installments. As Guerrilla Games continues work on a Forbidden West sequel, the PlayStation team scrambles to develop new system-sellers, a Lego interpretation of the IP that, although unrequested, appears endearing enough to launch later this year on PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
