Netflix has set up its next venture into the world of workplace comedy with a seemingly offbeat theme. the new series Blockbuster will explore the lives of the employees of the last remaining Blockbuster Video store in the United States. A streaming giant mocking the demise of video rental stores? The metacomedy writes itself here.
This comedy isn’t the first time Netflix has ventured into territory featuring the dying video retailer. In 2020, the streamer released The latest blockbuster, a documentary about the last remaining Blockbuster video store in Bend, Oregon. The document follows the manager of the store for several years and analyzes the factors that led to the demise of the video chain. Celebrities such as Ron Funches, James Arnold Taylor, Adam Brody, Jamie Kennedy and Brian Posehn were among the doctor’s other interviewees.
The new Blockbuster The workplace comedy seems to be inspired by the plot of the documentary, though it will take the story in a more comedic direction. How will you explore the lives of those dedicated store employees? Who can we see in the cast? When will the new series premiere? And what else should the public know about Netflix shows? Blockbuster?
Side note, “Netflix’s BlockbusterIt’s probably not something anyone expected to hear in 2022.
Box Office Hit: The Plot
Those who have seen the documentary generally know what to expect from the new comedy. Employees at the last remaining Blockbuster Video store in the country go to great lengths to keep it open. While the documentary presented the true story behind the downfall of the movie giant, the sitcom will likely take a similar story and put a comedic spin on it.
Keeping the last remaining Blockbuster Video store open is no easy task. We can expect plenty of workplace comedy tropes to emerge as the characters battle against the rapidly modernizing world. As for what exactly we’ll see, an official synopsis from Deadline reads:
“Blockbuster follow Timmy Yoon ([Randall] Park), an analog dreamer living in a 5G world. And after learning that he is operating the latest Blockbuster Video in America, Timmy and his staff employees (including his long-time crush Eliza ([Melissa] Fumero) struggle to stay relevant. The only way to be successful is to remind your community that they provide something big corporations can’t: human connection.”
Netflix has compared the series to other workplace comedies such as Hypermarket, Parks and RecreationY The office. Comparing his next comedy with The office of all shows definitely sets a high bar, so hopefully the series can deliver.
Netflix promises to present an authentic Blockbuster experience, even acquiring the rights to use the official uniforms and logo. Additionally, while the show will revolve around the latest Blockbuster store, it’s not immediately clear from the promos whether it will use the latest real-life store in Bend, Oregon, or form a fictional location.
Since so much emphasis is placed on the ultimate store itself, we can reasonably expect that the series will likely incorporate the real-life store, though that remains speculation. More information and plot details are likely to be revealed as we get closer to the release date.
Box Office Hit: The Cast
just arrived by boat star Randall Park leads the cast. Park’s Timmy Yoon is the manager of the video store, a movie lover, and a dreamer. His optimistic nature makes him one of the main advocates of keeping the store open against all odds. brooklyn nine nineMelissa Fumero stars opposite Park as Eliza, a mother in her 40s with a rocky marriage who returns to work at Blockbuster after raising her family.
in the heights actress Olga Merediz plays Connie, a mother figure who works at the store with the desire to make friends, not money. american hooligan‘s Tyler Alvarez is Carlos, a son of immigrants who learned English by watching movies. He dreams of being a filmmaker and must balance that dream with living the life his parents planned for him. Canadian actress Madeleine Arthur plays Hannah, a sweet and somewhat naive girl who lost her mother at a young age. Her co-workers at Blockbuster become a surrogate family and help teach her life lessons.
control your enthusiasmJB Smoove’s is Percy, the owner of the mall that houses the Blockbuster store. He is Timmy’s overconfident best friend from Park, who can’t seem to stay away from the video store. Actress Kamaia Fairburn plays Kayla, the smart and scary teenage daughter of Percy from Smoove. Kayla works at Blockbuster, although she doesn’t like taking orders from anyone.
Actress Ashley Alexander will play a character named Mila, while supergirlRobyn Bradley is in the role of Miranda. Confirmation of these characters’ stories, as well as additional casting announcements, will likely follow as we get closer to launch.
Release date
The first season, consisting of 10 half-hour episodes, will premiere on Netflix on November 3, 2022.
