Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail's Metropolis remake shelved amidst 2023 Hollywood strikes

In what can be termed as a significant blow to the entertainment industry, *Sam Esmail's* meticulously planned adaptation of Fritz Lang’s seminal 1927 sci-fi masterpiece, 'Metropolis', has become an early casualty of the Hollywood strikes this year. The unexpected cessation came from the UCP studio, amidst a WGA work stoppage that lasted for seven weeks.

A Promising Adaptation Meets Unforeseen Challenges

Esmail, who had been fostering this project under an overall agreement with UCP, was in the pre-production phase in Australia, having onboarded a talented ensemble that included the likes of Briana Middleton and Lindy Booth.

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When questioned about the sudden halting of the project, Esmail opened up at the premiere of his forthcoming Netflix feature, 'Leave the World Behind', spotlighting Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali. “Obviously, it was heartbreaking,” he candidly told Deadline, “But during the strike, we all understood. And I got to work with a lot of talented people out in Australia, where we were mounting the production. It was a really good experience, and I don’t regret it for a second.”

Complications and Contemplations behind the Decision

The production complexities and external challenges due to the strike proved to be a considerable hindrance. Key factors like budget allocations and essential pre-production elements remained undecided, as reported by Deadline. With escalating uncertainties, including a looming SAG-AFTRA strike and mounting costs from pushing production schedules, UCP weighed the risks and expenses. The decision was made: halt 'Metropolis' and communicate this resolution to their associates at Apple TV+.

A representative for UCP studio elucidated their standpoint, stating, “Push costs and uncertainty related to the ongoing strike led to this difficult decision.”

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The production was slated to occur in Victoria, where it was projected to offer almost 4,000 job opportunities, leveraging one of the most substantial 'virtual production' structures globally. 

Diving deeper into Esmail's journey with 'Metropolis' reveals his unwavering dedication to this project. Not only was he the creator behind the acclaimed 'Mr. Robot', but he'd also invested over seven years as the writer, director, and executive producer for this series.

As for the future of 'Metropolis' in its television avatar? Esmail's stance remains hopeful, albeit uncertain, “As of right now, it’s officially over but it’s Hollywood, who knows?,” he remarked.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)