The highly anticipated series adaption of the “Horizon Zero Dawn” video game will not be moving forward at Netflix. This shift also affects the streamer’s original sci-fi series, “Orbital.” This news comes days after accusations against series developer Steve Blackman for creating a toxic workplace as a showrunner for “The Umbrella Academy” surfaced.
It is unclear at this time if the shows are not moving forward with Blackman, or not moving forward altogether. Rolling Stone, who broke the news, states; “…the two projects are no longer moving forward with Blackman.” This does imply that “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “Orbital” may still happen.
“Horizon Zero Dawn”
If either of these projects were to come to fruition, it would most likely be “Horizon Zero Dawn.” Considering it is a well-established IP based on a popular 2017 video game of the same name. The game is set in a lush, post-apocalyptic world where nature reclaimed the ruins of a forgotten civilization. Leading small pockets of humanity live on in primitive hunter-gatherer tribes. Now, their dominion over the new wilderness has been usurped by the Machines, a race of fearsome mechanical creatures of unknown origin.
The story follows Aloy, a young woman who is an outcast from the Nora tribe and raised by fellow outcast, Rost. Aloy is determined to discover the truth about her origins and the world she lives in. “Horizon Zero Dawn” is critically acclaimed and won Game of the Year.
Allegations Against Blackman
Blackman joined the development team for “Horizon Zero Dawn” in 2022 after signing a multi-year deal with Netflix. The nature of that agreement has changed in light of reports he is fostering a hostile workplace on the set of “The Umbrella Academy.”
Twelve staffers and a human resources complaint allege that Blackman engaged in retaliation, discrimination, toxic and manipulative behavior, inappropriate remarks, and inadequate handling of concerns. Creating an environment where staff feel they have to show unwavering loyalty or be fired. All while taking credit taking credit for others’ work.
He allegedly retaliated against a pregnant woman on the writing team when she took maternity leave. Reportedly saying he felt “ripped off” for hiring the writer and made comments blaming their exit on budget issues. All while he was supposedly looking for a more experienced writer.
The complaint also cites the showrunner making sexist, homophobic, and transphobic remarks. These comments supposedly included inappropriate remarks about staff members’ appearances and sexualities. This would be a really stupid move considering series star Elliot Page and other staffers are vocally a part of the LGBTKQIA+ community.
Blackman’s Response
A representative for Blackman sent the following statement to Collider regarding the accusations against him;
“Steve Blackman has a long, ongoing, and close working relationship with Netflix, and signed a new multi-year deal earlier this year. He continues to work on new projects as well as the launch of the fourth season of the Umbrella Academy. It is preposterous and irresponsible to even suggest that there could be any impact of false and absurd allegations against Steve on the status of these projects, in a year with historic writers’ and actors’ strikes and dozens and dozens of project cancellations.”
We’ll keep you posted on updates about “Horizon Zero Dawn” and “Orbital” if/when they become available.
You can catch seasons 1-3 of “Umbrella Academy” on Netflix now. The fourth and final season hits August 8th.
Update-
This piece has been edited at the request of Risa Heller Communications, a PR firm out of New York.
