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Fans are eagerly awaiting the news of who will play a young Haymitch in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Now, the franchise film producer has broken their silence about finding someone to fill the role previously played by Woody Harrelson. The latest entry inThe Hunger Gamesfranchise hit bookshelves on Mar. 18, 2025, and passionate fans are already speed-reading through the prequel story that follows Haymitch Abernathy and his road to victory in the 50th annual Hunger Games. A film adaptation is already well into development, with a release date set for Nov. 20, 2026, but still no casting has emerged.

Speaking with Variety, franchise producer Nina Jacobson spoke about the acting process for Haymitch. Part of the reason no decision has been made yet? "Because of this early manuscript not being published, we haven’t even been able to read actors for fear that sides could leak," said Jacobson. Jacobson said they...

The Hunger Games is one of the biggest young adult franchises, with the films becoming major critical and commercial successes in the early 2010s. In 2023, the prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was added to the franchise, with another prequel in the works.

The upcoming film is based on the recently-released book in the franchise, Sunrise on the Reaping, and will follow a fan-favorite character from the original series, Haymitch Abernathy. In the original four films, the character was played by Woody Harrelson. But the new prequel will feature a younger version of the character, as it follows his experience in the 50th annual Hunger Games. Speaking with Variety ahead of the launch of the latest novel, franchise producer Nina Jacobson talked about the challenges of casting a young Haymitch.

As Jacobson noted, casting another actor for an already beloved character is difficult. "It’s an interesting challenge.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping producer Nina Jacobson shares an update on the upcoming film and the process of developing it from an unreleased book. After five successful movies in the Hunger Games franchise, the most recent being The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the world of author Suzanne Collins' young adult novel series is now set to expand with another prequel. The Sunrise on the Reaping story takes place during the 50th Hunger Games, in which Haymitch Abernathy competes and wins, and the movie adaptation will hail from franchise veteran director Francis Lawrence.

In a new interview with Variety, Jacobson shares new details about Sunrise on the Reaping movie and what it was like getting the Collins book early. Though Jacobson doesn't share any major story details, she does tease that reading the book was a very secretive process, and one that only she...

A producer of The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping has offered an update on the casting of young Haymitch Abernathy. Haymitch is the mentor to Hunger Games contestants Katniss and Peeta in both the original Suzanna Collins young adult novels and their movie adaptations, in which he was portrayed by three-time Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson. The upcoming Sunrise on the Reaping adapts Collins' newly published novel of the same name, which is a prequel following Haymitch's victory in the 50th annual Hunger Games.

Variety recently had the opportunity to speak with Nina Jacobson, who has been a producer on the Hunger Games movies from the beginning. In the interview, which was conducted a day before the release of the novel on March 18, she revealed that it has been a challenge to find actors who can portray young Haymitch, especially because "we haven't been able to read actors" out of...

May the odds be ever in your favor – again! “The Hunger Games” franchise from author Suzanne Collins has entered a new era as its latest book, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” hit shelves this week.

The prequel novel follows a young version of Katniss and Peeta’s mentor Haymitch Abernathy, played by Woody Harrelson in the films, as he emerges as the victor in the 50th annual Hunger Games. A film adaptation from Lionsgate was announced at the same time as the book.

With five books, six films and even an upcoming stage adaptation set for London this October, there’s no sign of slowing down for this juggernaut dystopian franchise. The staying power of Panem was showcased at a midnight release party at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square in New York City on Monday, one of hundreds held across the country for the Scholastic launch.

Collins herself was not in attendance,...

“The Electric State” is a 2025 science fiction film directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, based on Simon Stålenhag’s graphic novel. Set in an alternate 1990s America, the movie follows a young woman’s journey through a dystopian landscape populated by robots and humans. This article delves into The Electric State’s premise and provides a comprehensive guide to its ensemble cast and the characters they portray.

About the Movie

In “The Electric State,” Michelle, an orphaned teenager, embarks on a cross-country quest to find her missing brother. Accompanied by a robot companion, she navigates a post-apocalyptic world where a failed robot uprising has left society in disarray. The film combines elements of adventure, science fiction, and drama, exploring themes of family, technology, and survival. Released on Netflix on March 14, 2025, the movie showcases a blend of live-action performances and voice talents.

Complete Cast & Characters Guide of The Electric State:

View...

It’s quite a week for stunning new entries into the top five most-viewed movies and shows on Netflix. The lists on Tudum have been updated and highlight some very recent releases. Those have added an edge and been popular with viewers, one doing so in spectacular numbers.

The top five shows include a new tough-to-stomach drama with remarkable direction and camerawork. The show has been a major talking point for viewers this week and has had a huge number of views. It’s joined by two other new releases and a couple of recent favorites.

On the movie list, one new release has been much-awaited but may be a letdown if the critics are right. But then the viewers themselves have the real say, and it has attracted plenty of them so far. Once again there is plenty of variety and something for all the family among the top five movies.

Actor Millie Bobby Brown’s £245M Netflix Epic (Photo Credit – Netflix)

Netflix’s latest blockbuster, The Electric State, was meant to be a triumph after spending a staggering $320 Million budget and setting the record as the streamers most expensive project ever.

Besides, the film also boasted an ensemble cast of Hollywood heavyweights, such as Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, backed by Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, Stanley Tucci, Anthony Mackie, and Giancarlo Esposito. And with the Russo brothers, the minds behind the last two Avengers films, at the helm, what could possibly go wrong?

Turns out, quite a lot, apparently.

A Sci-Fi Premise That Should Have Soared

Instead of universal acclaim, the film has been met with an avalanche of criticism, now sitting at a bleak 15% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its ambitious premise, which is a post-war world where robots once fought for their rights, and Brown’s character embarking...

“One more time: animation is a medium, not a genre. Animation is film,” Guillermo del Toro said last year. IndieWire couldn’t agree more, and yet animation — an art form that requires the most precise control of the cinematic medium — is continually disrespected.

Infamously, 2022’s Best Animated Oscars presentation featured several jokes about the nominees that, in the words of Phil Lord and Chris Miller, framed “the five Academy Award nominees for Best Animated Feature as a corporate product for kids that parents must begrudgingly endure.” The directing duo called upon the Academy to do better by animation. And this year’s ceremony largely delivered, with less jokes that belittled animation as kiddy stuff and a sterling speech from del Toro himself for his acclaimed stop-motion feature adaptation of “Pinocchio.”

Pixar and Studio Ghibli tend to spring to mind first when discussing great animation, but there’s a world beyond those two giants.

In Netflix’s “The Electric State,” the sci-fi adventure from Anthony and Joe Russo, Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt help renew a robot rebellion in an alternate version of the ’90s. The robots themselves are not exactly new, at least not in terms of looks. They share the kitschy design of the robots in the graphic novel by Simon Stålenhag on which the film is based. But there are 175 of them — which meant the film needed a prodigious ensemble of motion capture performers.

Led by motion choreographer/actor Terry Notary, the mo-cap team actually outnumbered the principal actors. “It was like a great casting call, trying to find the right characters for the mood of the film,” production designer Dennis Gassner (“Blade Runner 2049”) told IndieWire. “ And it took a lot of trial and error with the visual effects team to make it work.”

Mo-cap performance became critical to...

Suzanne Collins is best known for her work in creating the world of Panem through her iconic novel series The Hunger Games. Well, she is back with another prequel with the release of her book Sunrise on the Reaping.

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games | Credits: Lionsgate

Set in the dystopian world of Panem, Suzanne Collins returns to the iconic world where the powerful prey on the weak and people have no choice but to revolt. Sounds a tad bit similar, right? Well, that’s what Collins stated about her inspiration.

Suzanne Collins was inspired by the history of America

Being the second prequel novel to the Og The Hunger Games series, Suzanne Collins returned to the world of Panem for the second time since she had already written a prequel book titled The Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes.

Viola Davis in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes...

As one of the most expensive movies ever made, you'd think that Netflix's The Electric State would be a smash hit on the streaming service, despite what critics have to say about it. After all, most movie watchers like to see for themselves if a film is good or bad, right? Well, it appears as if all those negative reviews have had a big impact on The Russo Brothers' latest sci-fi adventure, because despite being #1 on Netflix, viewing numbers prove that The Electric State is not the success the streaming service hoped it would be.

Per Deadline, The Electric State managed to rake in just 25.2 million views its opening weekend, and while yes, it did take top spot for the week of March 10–16, it only did so by a small margin of 900,000. Adolescence, the four-episode limited British crime series from Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham with no star power whatsoever,...

Alex Parkinson's Last Breathhas been one of the surprise packages at the 2025 box office, finding fair success at a time when ticket sales are scarily low. Starring Woody Harrelson and Simu Liu, the sea-based thriller follows the real-life-inspired story of a dangerous rescue mission against raging weather and choppy waters. Releasing to plenty of praise, strong word-of-mouth has helped Last Breath find plenty of success at the box office, even finishing second in the top 10 on its opening weekend.

The worlds of Stranger Things and The Electric State collide in a new piece of crossover art that imagines Chris Pratt entering the Upside Down. Millie Bobby Brown continues to be a fixture of Netflix's original programming, getting her start as Eleven in the Duffer brothers' hit fantasy-horror show, which is now gearing up for the release of its final season. Ahead of Stranger Things season 5, though, Brown starred in The Electric State, a Netflix original sci-fi movie in which she plays Michelle, an orphan who teams up with Pratt's Keats for an epic road trip.

Artist Sonnyfive on Instagram now imagines what these two Brown-starring properties would look like if their worlds collided in "Electric Hawkins," with characters from The Electric State entering the fantasy horror world of Stranger Things. The art features Brown and Pratt as Michelle and Keats, respectively, standing with their robot companions atop...

Reader be warned: There are several spoilers below.

Controversy in the film world is a double-edged sword - it can turn a movie into an absolute flop, or it can make it a big hit, usually with no middle ground there. And, yes, there is a big controversy surrounding Netflix’s latest big production, The Electric State. Almost all critics hate it, and it seems the viewers are currently turning it into a big hit.

So, what do we have here on hand? It is a costly production that, according to various media outlets, ran its cost at some hefty $320 million. The film is directed by the Russo Brothers (known for their Marvel films and the Arrested Development TV series).

The cast is stellar as well and includes Millie Bobbie Brown, Christopher Pratt, and Stanley Tucci, among others, who either appear or lend their voices. Then there is the fact...

The Four Horsemen are saddling up again. After years of speculation, delays, and the occasional vanishing act, Now You See Me 3 is finally happening. This, for years, felt like one of the franchise’s own tricks – hinted at, rumored, and then disappearing into thin air. Originally announced in 2016, the project seemed to be stuck in development limbo for the better part of a decade.

A still from Now You See Me | Credits: Lionsgate

Lionsgate, however, has officially confirmed that the new Nysm film is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025. If you’re wondering why Now You See Me 3 took so long, the production process wasn’t exactly smooth sailing.

Why did Now You See Me 3 take so long?

Delays due to scheduling conflicts, script rewrites, and even the pandemic pushed the film back multiple times. But finally, in November 2024, filming wrapped, and the movie is currently in post-production.

Not every film with good reviews becomes a major commercial hit, and not all films with bad reviews are unpopular. Just like last year there have been a series of examples, including Furiosa: A Mad Max Story, The Fall Guy, and Red One.

Now, Netflix's latest film The Electric State is experiencing a similar trend. Although the film didn't receive a theatrical release and it headed straight to Netflix, the early reviews ahead of the Mar. 14 release called it "one of the worst movies of the year." The official numbers prove otherwise, as Tudumcrowns The Electric State the biggest film of the week.

For the week between Mar. 10 and 16,The Electric State amassed 25.2 million views and 53.8 million hours viewed. That is a huge feat considering the movie had only 2 full days to achieve that before Netflix stopped counting.

It became the No. 1 movie in 47 countries, including the U.S.

Anthony and Joe Russo, the Russo Brothers, have directed some of the biggest movies of all time, with their film Avengers: Endgame coming in second place just behind James Cameron’s Avatar – and on March 14th, the Netflix streaming service released their latest film, the robot adventure The Electric State. The film topped the English films chart on Netflix over its debut weekend – but managed to do so with a surprisingly low number of views. The Electric State reached #1 with 25.2 million views, which pales in comparison to the debut numbers of recent hits like Back in Action (46.8 million views) and Carry On (42 million views), but is slightly higher than last year’s release of Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver. Still, this is the third Millie Bobby Brown-led film to debut at #1 for Netflix, following last year’s Damsel (which got started with 35.3 million views) and 2022’s Enola Holmes 2,...

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The wait is over fro Hunger Games fans, as the latest novel in the fantasy series has arrived. Sunrise on the Reaping officially hit shelves on March 18 and is now available to buy online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other retailers.

Unsurprisingly, the hotly anticipated prequel is already a bestseller across retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with the latter retailer rolling out a limited-edition exclusive.

Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown are two of the biggest names in streaming, and they have teamed up for a new Netflix hit. After rising to prominence for playing Andy Dwyer on the sitcom Parks and Recreation, Pratt solidified his fame by starring in two highly successful film franchises – playing Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Owen Grady in the Jurassic World trilogy. In recent years, he's also had a consistent presence on streaming, starring in the Prime Video movie The Tomorrow War and the series The Terminal List.

On the other hand, the British actress broke out as Eleven in Netflix's massively popular sci-fi series Stranger Things, for which she has earned two Emmy nominations. Besides her role in the Monsterverse movies Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, Brown's career has been confined to Netflix. She has starred in and produced two Enola Holmes movies,...

Take a deep breath and prepare to dive into the world of Alex Parkinson’s feature-length project, Last Breath. To celebrate the announcement that the Focus Features flick will soon be receiving an at-home release, Collider is thrilled to take audiences behind the scenes in an exclusive sneak peek. Today’s look will be one of many combined in the release’s special features lineup, which will allow audiences to hear from those closest to the production, including its stars: Woody Harrelson (The Hunger Games franchise), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) and Finn Cole (Peaky Blinders).

“Last Breath” (2025) is based on the true story of a 2012 saturation diving accident in which the dynamics system processor of an underwater vessel failed, causing the diver Chris Lemons to spiral out of control. Lemons was separated from his fellow diver, David Yuasa after his umbilical cable was cut during the accident. Yuasa was left to assume that Lemons had perished, as he had only five minutes of breathable oxygen left in his suit at the time. However, his fellow diver Duncan Allcock, who was operating the deep sea exploration ship, was convinced that Lemons was still alive.

These events inspired the nonfiction filmmaker Alex Parkinson to make a documentary, also titled “Last Breath,” in 2019, which was composed of archive footage taken from inside the ship and retrospective interviews conducted with each of the divers. The new version of “Last Breath” is a fictional recreation of the same story; Finn Cole stars as Lemons,...

“Give me something on Kingpin,” Drew Barrymore prodded guest Bill Murray. “It’s a favorite film of mine.” Specifically, Barrymore was digging for dirt about “a favorite moment,” a scene in which Murray’s Ernie McCracken and Woody Harrelson’s Roy Munson share a meal in a diner.

The scene features an improvised button at the end in which Harrelson leaves the cafe and Murray nods a flirty “Hi” to a woman in another booth. The woman smiles and returns his hello but he shakes his head. “Not you,” he says to the woman, focusing his seductive gaze on her younger companion. “Hi.”

“It was horrible, it was really horrible,” Murray confessed about the bit that he “just made up in the moment.”

After he made the joke, there was a long silence before one of the Farrelly brothers called cut. As soon as the camera stopped rolling, Murray went...

Many celebrities take part in thrilling activities to get the rush of adrenaline. Whether skydiving, bungee jumping, or climbing daunting peaks, these activities push them out of their comfort zones and give them a sense of accomplishment. One such activity that is known to test human endurance is climbing Mount Everest.

Everest, the tallest peak on earth, stands at a breathtaking height of 8,849 meters above sea level. Situated in the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, this iconic trek is the pinnacle of human endurance and achievement. While reaching the peak remains a goal reserved for the most skilled and determined climbers, even reaching the base camp, which is located at 5,364 meters, is not for the faint of heart.

Some celebrities give their everything to make projects that are loved by people and get immense satisfaction and achievement from that. However, there also are actors who want to push their limits...

Last June, Scholastic and Lionsgate teamed up for a double hit of “Hunger Games” news: Not only would a new prequel book be released 10 months later, but the unpublished novel was already in the works as a film set with a November 2026 theatrical release.

On March 18, the first portion of that promise will be delivered with the launch of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Suzanne Collins’ fifth addition to the “Hunger Games” franchise. One of the most anticipated books of 2025, the story centers around Katniss and Peeta’s mentor, Haymitch (played by Woody Harrelson in the “Hunger Games” film trilogy), when he was a teen and his emergence as the victor in the 50th annual Hunger Games.

Unlike the release of Collins’ previous “Hunger Games” prequel novel, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which came out amid the height of the pandemic in 2020, publisher Scholastic is able to give “Sunrise” a...

The Electric State co-director Joe Russo has discussed the movie's tonal shift from the novel, and how the author felt about it. Adapted from Simon Stålenhag's 2018 illustrated novel of the same name, the film follows an orphaned teen in an alternative 1990s, who teams up with a smuggler and a robot to search for her missing brother. The Electric State's strong cast is headed up by Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown, Ke Huy Quan, and Woody Harrelson, and the movie takes a more light-hearted approach than the novel on which it is based.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Russo, who co-directed the movie with his brother Anthony, explains the film's tonal shift, and what Stålenhag thought about it. He reveals that, though the source material was darker in tone, the story's message about technology was key for a younger audience, so the decision was made to go for a more family-friendly movie.

Last Breath has landed a digital release date. Co-written and directed by Alex Parkinson as a remake of his 2019 documentary of the same name, the new survival thriller follows the true story of a team of seasoned deep-sea divers as they battle the raging elements and race against time to rescue their crewmate trapped hundreds of feet below the ocean's surface. The movie stars Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, Cliff Curtis, Mark Bonnar, MyAnna Buring, and Josef Altin.

Now, Last Breath will be available to rent or purchase on digital platforms starting tomorrow, March 18. It will also be released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 29. Bonus features include a gag reel, feature commentary with co-writer/director Alex Parkinson and co-writer/producer David Brooks, and "Into the Deep: Making Last Breath," which invites audiences to join Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, Finn Cole, and filmmakers in a deep dive into the making of the real-life thriller.

Spoiler Alert !!!Contains spoilers for The Electric State!

The Electric State may be packed with robots, but at its heart, it’s a story about connection, and not just the typical kind. While Millie Bobby Brown’s journey takes the spotlight, it’s the unexpected bond between Chris Pratt’s character, Keats, and his loyal robot sidekick, Herman, that’s really turning heads.

Herman (voiced by Anthony Mackie) in The Electric State | Credits: Netflix

In a world ravaged by a human vs. robot war, their relationship feels warm and wholesome, but some viewers couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more beneath the surface, especially after Keats’ puzzling lines near the end. Well, Pratt himself recently weighed in, and let’s just say, things might head a little deeper than friendship.

Did The Electric State hint at a human-robot gay romance?

The Electric State may not have been everyone’s cup of tea,...

The Russo Brothers have revealed how artificial intelligence was used in the creation of their new movie The Electric State. The Avengers: Doomsday filmmaker's latest effort is a science fiction adventure movie set after a war between humanity and robots.

Millie Bobby Brown leads the cast of writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely's adaptation of author Simon Stålenhag's 2018 graphic novel about a young girl searching for her brother in a vast wasteland caused by the war. As Michelle ventures out into this strange new world, she joins forces with former soldier Keats (Chris Pratt) and a sentient robot in hopes of finding her sibling.

The Russo Brothers Used A.I. For Vocal Modulation in The Electric State

Speaking to The Times, the Russos addressed the use of A.I. in their film since many in Hollywood have warned against its potential harm to actors and filmmakers. The co-directors...

Netflix's latest release, The Electric State, has all the qualities of a major blockbuster. It comes from a big studio, it has a stellar cast and critically acclaimed directors, and, despite the studio's reluctance for theatrical releases, it has a major budget.

However, The Electric State debuted with one of the worst ratings of the year. The sci-fi film debuted with an abysmal score of 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, a number that slightly increased to 14%, still a major disappointment. Following its official release on the platform, the audience score couldn't be more different, as it's over five times better than the critics' score.

While most of the critics called The Electric State a bad movie, the audience fully disagreed. Following its Mar. 14 release on Netflix, The Electric State has an audience approval score of 76%. While the score is not exactly a reason to start celebrating and greenlighting a sequel just yet,...

Update: 2025/03/16 07:45 Est By Brennan Klein

Novocaine Takes The Lead With A Dismal No. 1 Gross

This article was originally written Saturday Am and has been updated Sunday Am with up-to-date box office projections (in bold), a full chart, and further analysis.

Novocaine has pulled ahead of Black Bag, and Mickey 17 after going head to head in a dismal weekend for the 2025 box office. Novocaine, which is an action comedy starring Jack Quaid, and Black Bag, which is a Steven Soderberg-directed spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett, are both new wide releases. The Mickey 17 release kicked off the week before. The Bong Joon Ho-directed Robert Pattinson sci-fi movie debuted at No. 1 with a record-breaking $19 million haul that was the Parasite director's best in domestic history but still came nowhere close to its $118 million budget.

Per Variety, as of Sunday morning, Novocaine is set to take No. 1 at...

The Russo brothers’ The Electric State may have only just landed on Netflix, but Joe Russo has already addressed the possibility of a sequel. Based on the illustrated novel by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag, the Russo’s latest big-budget outing unites Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown with Guardians of the Galaxy’s Chris Pratt in an effects-laden sci-fi adventure set in an alternate 1990s. Released on Netflix on March 14, The Electric State’s supporting cast also boasts a notable list of talent, including Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito, Ke Huy Quan, Woody Harrelson, and Anthony Mackie.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Joe Russo admitted that while he and his brother have no plans to develop a sequel to The Electric State, they do intend to expand the property in other ways. In addition to a tie-in mobile game, dubbed The Electric State: Kid Cosmo, the director revealed that they are also discussing a possible television show.

Three years after their last feature film, “The Gray Man,” premiered on Netflix and one year before they make their return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directors Anthony and Joe Russo are back. Their latest offering, “The Electric State,” is a sci-fi blockbuster with a hefty price tag. The film, which continues the Russos’ ongoing creative partnership with Netflix, has a reported budget of $320 million — making it one of the most expensive movies ever made.

Only films based on pre-existing pieces of intellectual property typically get that kind of financial support in Hollywood these days. Is “The Electric State” based on a book, though? Here is what you should know about the new, expensive Netflix film’s origins.

Is “The Electric State” based on a book?

Yes! “The Electric State” is not, however, based on a traditional book. It is, instead, loosely based on a 2018 illustrated novel by acclaimed Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag.

Directors Anthony and Joe Russo have crossed one more non-Marvel Cinematic Universe entry off their list this week with the release of their new sci-fi film "The Electric State." Based on the book by Simon Stålenhag, the film sees Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt traverse an alternative 1995, where robots that were once servants to humanity have been abandoned and ostracised following a failed rebellion against their makers. It's among these rusty and worn-down bots, however, that Brown's Michelle finds allies to be reunited with her brother, whom she believed was long since dead, and who could hold the key to bringing the bots back into winning back their rights.

There is a wealth of impressive talent bringing the CGI characters of "The Electric State" to life, though their voices might be hard to recognize on first viewing. To help you navigate the cast, here's a list of hardwired...

Netflix’s The Electric State, directed by the Russo brothers, brings a retro-futuristic adventure to the screen with a soundtrack packed with ‘90s classics. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film follows Michelle (Brown) and Keats (Pratt) as they navigate a dystopian America in search of Michelle’s missing brother. With a mix of action, emotion, and robotic companions, the film blends visual spectacle with music that underscores its themes.

Throughout the journey, songs appear in high-energy moments and quieter, sentimental scenes. A standout feature includes performances by a piano-playing Taco robot, adding a quirky twist to familiar tracks.

Full Soundtrack Listing: Mary Jane’s Last Dance – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Mother – Danzig I Fought The Law – The Clash Sound Off (Duckworth Chant) – Willie Lee Duckworth & Bernard Lentz Take Me To The River – Al Green & Mabon Lewis Hodges (Performed by The Studio Musicians) Tornerai – Trio Lescano e Quartetto Funaro...

Take a look at more footage from the new big-screen adaptation of Simon Stålenhag's futuristic graphic novel "The Electric State", starring Millie Bobby Brown ("Stranger Things"), Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci, now streaming on Netflix:

“…set in an alternate 1994….

“…a young girl is approached by a robot…

“…who claims to know her missing brother…

“…and with it, she sets out to find him…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

As 2025 kicks off, several book to movie adaptations can be expected to move forward to completion, some with release dates already slated for the quarter century marker.

Mickey17, directed by Bong Joon Ho, arrived in theaters in early March. Netflix released it’s big-budget sci-fi film The Electric State, which is based on a graphic novel, March 14.

Edgar Wright’s The Running Man and Josh Boone’s Regretting You, which will likely follow in the footsteps of the Blake Lively-starring It Ends With Us and further pave a path for future Collen Hoover film adaptations like Verity and Reminders of Him.

Several other big screen adaptations of books are arriving on streamers and in theaters this year. Check out the full list of book to movie adaptations below:

Mickey7 by Edward Ashton – Theaters – March 7, 2025

Robert Pattinson in ‘Mickey 17’

Bong Joon Ho has directed an adaptation of Edward Ashton...

Let’s face it, the Russo brothers’ post-mcu career as co-directors in Cherry and The Gray Man lacked the same widespread praise seen in their winning trio of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Before the two returns to MCU for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, they are now headlining a brand-new Netflix movie The Electric State, the streaming giant’s most expensive feature ever produced at reportedly $320 million.

At the time of writing, that would be the 13th most expensive movie, trailing just five million less than Avengers: Infinity War. A budget this big, coupled with the dystopian sci-fi angle adapted from Simon Stålenhag’s acclaimed 2018 illustrated novel of the same name that looks right from the Russo brothers’ wheelhouse and not to forget, a recognizable cast both on-screen and voice-only acting, it’s natural to have a high expectation here. Adding a...

Shane Gillis is supposed to be good at stand-up comedy, but his recent monologue stumble on Saturday Night Live — “The audience didn’t seem to respond well,” wrote Variety in a generous understatement — was all kinds of awkward. To make matters worse, he was accused of stealing lukewarm punchlines.

The swing-and-a-miss got the fans in the r/LiveFromNewYork subreddit thinking: Where did Gillis’ failure rank among the all-time worst monologues in SNL history? Here are five other contenders for the crown, as nominated by the show’s Reddit fans.

1 Nancy Kerrigan

At least Olympic figure skater Kerrigan has the “Hey, I’m not a comedian” excuse. While she must have been used to high-pressure, live situations as a professional athlete, this was the first time she actually had to talk. It’s hard to watch Kerrigan wring her hands as she delivers wooden readings off the cue cards. As one Redditor noted,...

In Netflix‘s new retro-futuristic sci-fi flick The Electric State, it’s the mid-1990s and the robot uprising is over. In its wake, the sentient machines — who were fighting for a life outside of their servitude to the human race — have been banished to a swath of desert in the Midwest. Another casualty? People are less connected to each other than ever before, thanks to tech company CEO Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci) who has invented the Neurocaster, a helmet that links people to an addicting virtual network. Rebellious teenager Michelle (Stranger Things‘ Millie Bobby Brown), however, prefers reality. As she sets out on an adventure to find her genius little brother, with the help of a misfit bot and smuggler Keats (Chris Pratt), the mission will take her across the country, as they band together with some wacky droids and face major trouble. Netflix The ...

Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt’s sci-fi adventure “The Electric State” has landed on Netflix, and it serves up a poppin’ playlist and an electrifying soundtrack.

The film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and was written by Christopher and Stephen McFeely. The film is based on the book by Simon Stålenhag, and also stars Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci, as well as Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo and Alan Tudyk.

Here’s the official description of the series: “An orphaned teen hits the road with a mysterious robot to find her long-lost brother, teaming up with a smuggler and his wisecracking sidekick.”

Check out the film’s full playlist below.

Tom Petty —”Mary Jane’s Last Dance” The Clash — “I Fought the Law” Danzig — “Mother” Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch — “Good Vibrations” Judas...

“The Electric State” is a world filled with robots, and odds are, you’re definitely going to recognize a lot of their voices.

Now streaming on Netflix, the film follows Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown), an teenager living on her own and navigating life in a society where robots — yes, robots, this movie takes place in an alternate version of the 1990s that’s much more futuristic — now live in exile after a failed uprising against humans.

Teaming up with a kind robot named Cosmo, Michelle sets out to find her younger brother, who she thought to be dead. Along the way, she also teams up with a smuggler and his own sassy robot sidekick.

Here are all the faces and voices you’ll recognize in “The Electric State.”

Millie Bobby Brown in “The Electric State” (Netflix) Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown)

Michelle is an orphaned teenager and one of the heroes of the film.

Amid the classic, flashy film and television premieres this week at SXSW, the festival also offered a forum for burgeoning creators to showcase their work in the Independent TV Pilot Program.

These seven wide-ranging pilots rely primarily on personal experiences — from mental illness to queer identity — while also taking creative risks to offer something new to the television landscape.

Screened throughout the week, the pilots debuted at the Rollins Theatre at The Long Center on March 9 to a receptive crowd, which included Woody Harrelson, who attended in support of former Champions co-star Kevin Iannucci’s project R&r.

Following the premiere screening, the creative teams from each project took the stage to discuss the unique challenges that independent filmmakers are facing in the current television environment and how those were overcome on their projects, including lack of financing and resources.

Woody Harrelson, Kevin Iannucci, JJ Herz

Per the jury results,...

Things get freaky for Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in Disney‘s teaser trailer for Freakier Friday, the long-anticipated sequel to the acting duo’s 2003 comedy smash. The upcoming cinematic romp brings the bodyswap mechanic back with style as the switcharoo magic extends to other members of the Coleman family. In addition to the Freakier Friday teaser trailer, Disney dropped a new poster for the film featuring Lohan and Curtis in panic as chaos returns to haunt their best-laid plans.

In Freakier Friday, Lohan’s Anna has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. They, too, get caught up in the switcharoo shenanigans, doubling the confusion and consequences of tampering with unknown forces.

The film also stars Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Manny Jacinto, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Rosalind Chao, Chad Michael Murray, Vanessa Bayer, and Mark Harmon.

Nisha Ganatra directs Freakier Friday, based on the book Freaky Friday by Mary Rodgers. Freakier Friday...

Quick LinksThe Electric State's Sentre, ExplainedThe Electric State's Christopher, ExplainedThe Electric State's Michelle Kills ChristopherHow The Electric State Sets Up a Sequel

The following contains spoilers for The Electric State, now streaming on Netflix.

The Russo Brothers are among the most popular directors in the entertainment industry. They are most famous for their Captain America and Avengers movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They also have a deal with Netflix to make non-superhero movies, which they delivered with The Gray Man, a spy thriller starring Ryan Gosling.

Anthony and Joe Russo are back with The Electric State, a sci-fi and fantasy movie that deals with a group of heroes trying to find a child -- a Chosen One -- to bring down an evil empire known as Sentre. It builds to a heartbreaking ending that reminds viewers that, as convenient as technology is, it can erode humanity.

The Electric State's Sentre,...

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The Electric State is a sci-fi adventure comedy-drama film co-directed by Anthony and Joe Russo from a screenplay co-written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Based on the 2018 illustrated novel of the same name by Simon Stålenhag, the Netflix film is set in the aftermath of a war between robots and humans, and it follows an orphaned girl who teams up with a mysterious robot and a smuggler to find her lost brother in the dangerous America West. The Electric State stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Giancarlo Esposito, and Stanley Tucci. So, if you loved the inventive story, intricate world-building, and entertaining characters in The Electric State, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

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Quick LinksKraven the Hunter Has Everything That's Wrong With Sony's Spider-Man MoviesKraven the Hunter Has Enough Fun Moments to Make It Worth a Watch

Kraven the Hunter, the last entry in Sony's Spider-Man Universe (Ssu), has officially landed a streaming home. The infamous film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the iconic Spider-Man villain, marking Kraven's official live-action debut--and it couldn't have been more disappointing. Superhero fans everywhere united to make fun of the underwhelming origin film which, like its fellow entries of the Ssu, feels like a throwback to an earlier age of comic book movies in all the worst ways. A mere month after leaving theaters, Kraven the Hunter is now officially streaming on Netflix alongside several other maligned entries in Sony's franchise.

Kraven the Hunter debuted to an embarrassing 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, earned devastatingly low figures at the box office, and generally fell out of memory in a matter of days.

There’s art, there’s entertainment — and then there’s “content,” the catch-all term that refers to the endless supply of stuff that is pumped out in the name of numbers and inventory. Art enlightens. Entertainment provides escapism. Content is simply there, clogging up the arteries of streaming services and clickbait sites, offering up buffets of empty calories and almost instant amnesia. It’s not interested in exploring the human experience, passing on public-service information, delighting, distracting, making you laugh, cry, or pump your fist in the air. It exists only to be consumed,...

Universal Pictures’ spy thriller Black Bag leads the way for new releases in UK and Ireland cinemas this weekend as Warner Bros’ Opus and Studiocanal’s In the Lost Lands also open.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh,Black Bagopens in 650 cinemas, up from Soderbergh’s last film Presence which debuted in 478 sites earlier this year. That title opened with a mild £292,058 for Warner Bros, ending its run on £825,587 total.

Black Bag will be aiming much higher with the help of strong reviews, a London-set premise and a starry ensemble led by Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett. The duo play husband and...

The Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe) are the directors of this incredibly expensive Netflix sci-fi film that’s hitting our screens today, a true retro-futuristic spectacle starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt.

Netflix is betting big on spectacle with this movie based on Simon Stålenhag’s book. However, it’s an adaptation that takes quite a few liberties. Those expecting a faithful adaptation or some transcendental reflection should quickly forget about it, because “The Electric State” is all about spectacle, comedy, and reaching wide audiences with a very light, yet entertaining movie.

The Electric State – Netflix

Plot

Set in an alternate 1990s America, “The Electric State” follows Michelle (Brown), an orphaned teenager on a desperate quest to find her missing little brother. Accompanied by a mysterious robot and Pratt’s character, a roguish smuggler, Michelle navigates a world of decaying technology and vast desolate landscapes.

Alan Silvestri Returns for...