Netflix has reportedly canceled its planned television adaptation of the popular video game ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’, according to a report from Rolling Stone senior reporter Cheyenne Roundtree. The cancellation comes amid allegations of workplace misconduct against showrunner Steve Blackman.
The ‘Horizon Zero Dawn’ series, officially announced by Netflix in August 2022, was one of two projects under Blackman’s supervision that have reportedly been scrapped. The other was an original series titled ‘Orbital’.
This development follows a recent exposé in Rolling Stone detailing accusations of toxic behavior and bullying against Blackman from former writers and staffers on his previous project, ‘The Umbrella Academy’. The report cites twelve sources and references an HR complaint alleging a “long history of toxic, bullying, manipulative, and retaliatory behavior” by Blackman.
While Netflix has not yet officially confirmed the cancellations, this news marks a significant setback for fans who were anticipating the adaptation of the acclaimed Guerrilla Games title. The streaming giant’s decision, if confirmed, likely reflects the seriousness with which it’s treating the allegations against Blackman.
As this story develops, many will be watching to see how Netflix addresses these reports and what this means for the future of video game adaptations on the platform.
