Vince Gilligan's new sci-fi series 'Pluribus' on Apple TV explores themes of happiness and individual rights through a virus that links the world into a hive mind, with a focus on a discontented author, played by Rhea Seehorn, navigating a post-apocalyptic society. The series is slow-paced but engaging, primarily driven by Seehorn's compelling performance, and raises questions about societal perfection and personal discontent.
Alien: Earth explores the technological universe of the Alien franchise, focusing on the design of ships, androids, and tablets inspired by late '70s visions of the future, notably Sony’s Watchman, to create a nostalgic yet fresh sci-fi aesthetic set two years before the original Alien film.
In the sci-fi series 'Alien: Earth,' big tech is portrayed as a monster that exploits children, with the story highlighting themes of moral compromise, artificial bodies, and the dark side of technological advancement in a futuristic Earth setting.
The first episode of 'Alien: Earth' garnered 9.2 million views in its first six days across Hulu and Disney+, with additional viewers on FX, marking a successful debut for the sci-fi series set in a corporate-controlled future.
Apple's upcoming sci-fi series "Dark Matter" is set to start streaming on Apple TV Plus on May 8th, featuring a physicist who is abducted into an alternate version of his life and must navigate a multiversal reality to get home. Based on the novel by Blake Crouch, the show stars Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Connelly, and others, and joins Apple TV Plus' growing list of science fiction series.
Following the Netflix debut of "3 Body Problem," the sci-fi series and the book "Silent Spring" have become bestsellers on Amazon. "Remembrance of Earth’s Past," the book series the show is based on, explores humanity's discovery and preparation for an alien invasion force, while "Silent Spring" plays an integral role in the show's storyline. The show, met with mixed reviews, is praised for its ambition and intellectual depth, and the books' surge in sales reflects the show's impact.
Amazon Prime Video releases the official trailer for "Fallout," a post-apocalyptic sci-fi series based on the popular gaming franchise. The series, set in a satirical, 1950s-style future post-nuclear apocalypse, features a Vault Dweller navigating a wasteland filled with ghouls, gulpers, and general mayhem. The cast includes Walton Goggins, Ella Purnell, Aaron Moten, and Kyle MacLachlan, with the story focusing on the haves and have-nots in a world where survivors of a global nuclear war must confront a complex and violent universe. The series is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video.
Apple TV+ has ordered a 10-episode sci-fi drama series called Murderbot, based on Martha Wells' bestselling book series The Murderbot Diaries. The show stars and is executive produced by Alexander Skarsgård and is being developed by Chris and Paul Weitz. Murderbot follows a self-hacking security android who must hide its free will while completing a dangerous assignment. The Weitz brothers are writing, directing, and producing the series, with David S. Goyer serving as executive producer and showrunner. Apple TV+ continues to expand its lineup of sci-fi series with Murderbot joining the likes of Foundation, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, Silo, For All Mankind, and Invasion.
Director Carl Erik Rinsch, known for "47 Ronin," reportedly used millions of dollars given to him by Netflix for his sci-fi series to trade stocks and cryptocurrencies instead. Rinsch allegedly lost $5.9 million in trading but made a windfall with Dogecoin, turning a $4 million bet into nearly $27 million. He then spent $8.7 million on luxury cars and designer goods. Despite Netflix investing over $55 million in Rinsch's series, no episodes have been delivered, leading the company to write off the project. Rinsch and Netflix are currently in confidential arbitration proceedings, with Rinsch claiming at least $14 million in damages for contract breach.
Director Carl Rinsch signed a $61 million deal with Netflix for a sci-fi series, but his erratic behavior, including gambling away millions and making unfounded claims, led to concerns from his wife and Netflix executives. After losing more money from Netflix's funding, the project was halted in March 2021. Rinsch made $27 million on crypto bets and claims Netflix owes him $14 million, while Netflix argues he failed to meet project milestones. The contract dispute has now concluded in a confidential arbitration case.
Amazon has canceled the sci-fi series "The Peripheral" despite previously renewing it for a second season. The cancellation is attributed to the ongoing strikes by Hollywood writers and actors, which disrupted the show's preproduction. The series, based on a William Gibson novel, stars Chloe Grace Moretz and was developed by former Amazon executive Sharon Tal Yguado. The cancellation comes after the show's first season reportedly cost around $175 million and received lukewarm audience engagement.
