HBO Max is coming out swinging. Unlike Disney+, the streaming service is bringing some serious can’t-miss names and content to their streaming service dropping this year. HBO Max has just announced projects from filmmakers Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11) and Adam McKay (The Big Short), as well as a few superhero shows, Aquaman and Green Lantern.
The Uninhabitable Earth
First up, let’s talk about a new series from McKay, who most recently produced Succession for HBO. McKay will write and direct a series about climate change, based on David Wallace-Wells‘ bestselling novel.
Each episode is a standalone story. McKay will direct the first episode, other directors of his caliber are expected to follow in his footsteps.
In a statement, McKay said:
I’ve been chomping at the bit to get this show going. I’m very happy that HBO Max stepped up and made the commitment. There’s obviously no subject as vast and daunting.
HBO Max’s content chief, Kevin Reilly, added:
Adam is one of the rare artists who can deliver a pointed, impactful message in a piece of great entertainment. I can’t wait to see what he does with this material, as there is no timelier and more relevant message than a wake-up call on climate change and the growing impact on our lives.
Steven Soderbergh Makes a Home at HBO
Soderbergh is no stranger to streaming services. The forward-thinking filmmaker made his last two movies for Netflix, The Laundromat and High Flying Bird. Soderbergh has signed a three-year deal with HBO that’ll have him making shows and movies for the cable network and their streaming service.
Previously, he directed Behind the Candelabra for HBO, the only place he could get it made.
In a statement, Soderbergh said:
This arrangement grew out of talks Michael Sugar and I were having with Sarah Aubrey during the negotiations for Let Them All Talk, and there were four things tractor-beaming me toward this deal: One, I have a history with both HBO and Warner Bros.; two, my definition of a good product, a good process, and a good working culture is shared by the WarnerMedia family; three, the wide range of potential outlets aligns with my range of interests, and four: I get to witness and participate in the building of something new at a very large scale. Oh, and there is a financial aspect, so that’s probably five.
The Superhero Content
A Green Lantern TV show has been talked about for a while at HBOMax. At TCA, HBOMax’s head of original content, Sarah Aubrey, confirmed the show will span decades and focus on more than one Green Lantern. The series will include famous hero-turned-villain, Sinestro, featured in the disastrous Ryan Reynolds movies from years ago.
Even better, HBOMax and director James Wan are working on an animated series called Aquaman: King of Atlantis. It’s three standalone episodes that, according to the press release, are about the following:
The series begins with Aquaman’s first day on the job as king of Atlantis and he’s got a LOT of catching up to do. Luckily, he has his two royal advisors to back him up – Vulko, the scholar, and Mera, the water controlling warrior-princess. Between dealing with unscrupulous surface dwellers, elder evils from beyond time and his own half-brother who wants to overthrow him, Aquaman is going to have to rise to the challenge and prove to his subjects, and to himself, that he’s the right man for the trident!
A Lupita Nyong’o Show!
The Academy awards recently robbed actress Lupita Nyong’o. The Oscar voters completely overlooked her emotional and physical performance in Us. A massive snub this year that by awards voters.
Now, we have another performance from the actor to look forward to in a new HBO Max show, Americanah, based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel. Chinonye Chukwu (Clemency) will direct the first two episodes of the 10-episode limited series, which is about a woman from Nigeria moving to America.
Ten episodes of Nyong’o acting her heart and soul out? Yes, please, HBO Max.
HBOMax will begin streaming this year.
