In May 2022 diversity reported that Netflix is developing a series based on a successful PlayStation game, Horizon Zero Dawn. Part of the flood of announced adaptations following the success of HBO’s The last of usShowrunner Steve Blackman was involved in the project This would bring a live-action version of Aloy and her fight against the robosaurs to the streaming service. Rolling Stone register now that the show could be in jeopardy given the allegations made against Blackman.
Blackman, who became known through the success of his Netflix show The Umbrella Academywas launched on 30 June by Rolling Stone facing allegations of having a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative and vindictive behavior.” The article goes on to address claims that the showrunner created “a climate of fear and distrust,” appropriated the work of others, and made comments that were “sexist, homophobic and transphobic.” Blackman denies all allegations, calling them “completely untrue.”
As The Umbrella Academy started its second season in 2020 after the first was one of Netflix’s biggest hits. Blackman received a four-year contract reportedly worth $50 million to continue developing projects for the streamer. One of these shows would be Sony’s Horizon Zero Dawnsold during the frenzy after TLOUwhich eventually brought in Blackman and Michelle Lovretta (Umbrella Academy, Spoilsport) was named as showrunner, but no further information has surfaced since then.
Rolling Stone updated its story on July 3 to say that the site “has learned that the two projects involving Blackman are no longer moving forward,” the other project being a science fiction show called Orbit. The article adds that a representative for Blackman said he was “continuing to work on new projects” with Netflix and “signed a new multi-year deal earlier this year.” However, the interviewee did not mention horizonNetflix apparently continued to refuse to comment on the story.
There is some uncertainty as to where this is leading. HZD TV show. The RS Article says the project is “no longer moving forward” with Blackman, but the author of the piece, Cheyenne Roundtree, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the shows themselves are “no longer moving forward.” We’ve reached out to Roundtree for clarification.
Since there is no information about horizons TV adaptation since 2022, it seems relatively likely that it would still have been in pre-production whatever its fate now. Still, it would be the most fantastic show, so let’s hope it gets picked up and continued by someone worthy of the franchise.
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