[Discussion] Controversy Surrounds Steve Blackman Amidst Halted Netflix Projects and Ongoing Allegations

[Uncrowned Guard]

Controversial Claims Against Showrunner Steve Blackman

The genesis of the controversy lies in allegations against Steve Blackman, the showrunner for The Umbrella Academy, for creating a hostile work environment. According to assertions published by Rolling Stone, a total of twelve personnel alongside an HR complaint painted a picture of an overly toxic and bullying culture. Blackman refuted these accusations, describing them as 'entirely untrue' and 'absurd'.

Negotiations With Netflix and Future Developments

Despite the ensuing controversy, it was observed that Blackman secured an expansive development agreement with Netflix in 2020, reputedly worth $50 million. Two key projects, 'Horizon Zero Dawn' series and an original sci-fi thriller 'Orbital', were part of this package. As per the latest reports by Rolling Stone, neither of these two ventures is reportedly going forward. However, it was also shared by a representative for Blackman that the showrunner continues to maintain an enduring and close professional relationship with Netflix, where he is engaged in working on fresh projects under a renewed multi-year contract signed earlier this year.

The Abrupt Halt of the Horizon Zero Dawn Series

Back in 2022, Netflix announced a new series based on Horizon Zero Dawn, with Blackman at the helm. The series, centered on a protagonist named Aloy, was much anticipated for its storyline. When commenting on the uniqueness of Horizon Zero Dawn, Blackman had praised it for its distinctive characters and richly detailed game world, revealing Aloy would indeed be a central character in their narrative. However, since Sony's announcement in January 2024 that they had initiated the writing for the series, no substantial further information has surfaced. Consequently, it appears that the development of the Horizon Zero Dawn series has run aground for now.

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