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Apple TV+ cancels TV adaptation of Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis', fans say it's 'definitely for the best'

The canceled show is one of the many projects abandoned by a production company as the writers in Hollywood are currently on strike

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Apple TV+’s much-anticipated TV adaptation of the classic film ‘Metropolis’ is no longer in the works. Reportedly, the filming of the show had not even begun when the production company decided to pull the plug and step back from the planned show. The canceled show is one of the many projects abandoned as the writers in Hollywood are currently on strike. 

Fans of the original film and the creator Sam Esmail had mixed reactions to the news of the cancellation. While many were upset and disappointed that not even a single season was made, others let out a sigh of relief for other reasons. 

Why did Apple TV+ cancel TV adaptation of 'Metropolis'?

In December 2016, Esmail, who is also the creator of ‘Mr Robot’, first announced that he will be developing a TV adaptation of the classic Fritz Lang film ‘Metropolis’. Apple TV+ ordered the series in March 2022, more than five years after its initial development announcement. The adaptation was to be premised on a similar futuristic world ruled by a wealthy industrialist with themes of class disparity and criticism of capitalism. 

The show was scrapped following the uncertainty brought to the industry after the Writers’ Guild of America started their indefinite strike. Although the show could have waited for more clarity and progress amid the strike and a possible positive outcome, it was finally shut down because of increasing pre-production costs that were steadily going over the budget. There was also an added looming uncertainty of another strike by the SAG-AFTRA union which would have further pushed the project into large costs. 

Fans divided over cancellation news

The TV adaptation was rather anticipated given the popularity and critical acclaim of Esmail’s work along with Lang’s work which is known as a triumph of German cinema. But fans still seemed to be quite satisfied with the cancellation news. 

One fan took to Twitter and wrote, "Definitely for the best. Complicated creative (writer) aside, I think the beauty of Metropolis was the period in which it was created. Instead, I recommend watching it! (Or what’s left of it).”

More fans brought up the issue with the adaptation as one tweeted, “Metropolis is one of the greatest achievements in the art form, nobody needs to remake anything, especially since what makes it so special isn't even really something that needs to be updated for modern audiences.”

None of the fans really question Esmail on this but rather acknowledged that the original film was difficult to deal with. A user wrote, “Sam Esmail is talented (Mr Robot) but Im not sure he could tackle the grandiosity of the og Metropolis. Villeneuve, maybe. Or Eggers with a proper budget. I'd like to see a remake tho it's been almost 100 years.”

Another user shared, “Part of the magic of the original is that it, obviously with it being 1927, was all practical. The cardboard sets, the miniatures. Adding cgi to that would have taken the charm away.”

A fan also pointed out, “Apple TV trying to prove they are better than netflix by cancelling shows BEFORE they start...bold strategy.” Another asked, “They really don't like new ideas in Hollywood, do they?”

Some fans were still quite upset as they expected Apple TV+ to do a good job with the adaptation. One fan wrote, "This is a bummer. Apple TV+ has been doing some good sf work. SEVERANCE and SILO are fantastic (and I hear FOUNDATION is really good).