Before Joe and Anthony Russo make their big return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, they have another exciting project on the horizon.
The directing duo has built an impressive reputation in the filmmaking world, particularly for their work on Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which became huge global successes.
But before they re-enter the MCU with their next superhero adventure, they are bringing a different kind of story to life—one set in a very different universe. Their upcoming project is The Electric State, an adaptation of Simon Stålenhag’s illustrated novel.
Simon Stålenhag is a Swedish artist and author known for his stunning work that mixes technology with nostalgic views. His book, The Electric State, is set in a post-apocalyptic alternate reality in the year 1997.
In this world, a war between humans and out-of-control technology has caused massive destruction across the United States.
Giant drones, which were once used for battle, now litter the land. These drones, though no longer used in the war, are still dangerous and create multiple threats for the remaining survivors.
The story focuses on a young girl who is on a mission to find her younger brother, traveling through this dangerous and desolate view.
Many may think this sounds like other post-apocalyptic stories where young characters fight for survival in a ruined world. But Simon Stålenhag’s unique style and world-building offer something fresh. His version of a dystopian world combines retro-futurism with a deeply emotional and personal story.
The mixture of technology, nostalgia, and human emotion makes The Electric State stand out from other similar stories in the science fiction genre.
With the Russo brothers at the helm of this film and a cast full of well-known actors, the adaptation is poised to bring Stålenhag’s vision to life in a powerful way.
What Is The Electric State About?
The Electric State is set in an alternate version of the 1990s, specifically in the year 1997. The story follows Michelle, a teenager who has been through a lot of hardship. She sets out on a journey across the country to find her younger brother, Christopher, who has gone missing.
The United States she travels through is not the country as we know it today, but a retro-futuristic version that is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
In this alternate reality, technology has advanced in ways that we haven’t seen in real life. The story shows a world where giant robots and drones, which once worked alongside humans, are now abandoned and dangerous.
These machines are relics of a war that saw technology turning against people, leaving behind a country in ruins. Many humans didn’t survive this war, but Michelle is determined to find her brother despite the dangerous conditions.
To help her on her journey, her brother sends a robot named Cosmo. Cosmo is a friendly robot with a mysterious past, and Michelle must learn to trust it as they face many dangers together.
The view they travel through is full of broken-down machines, deserted cities, and dangerous enemies.
One of the main threats they encounter is a group of monstrous drones left behind from the war. These drones roam the land, and one of them is specifically hunting for Cosmo.
Throughout her journey, Michelle also meets Keats, a drifter who might be able to help her get through the dangers she faces. Keats is not someone Michelle can trust easily, but he knows the lay of the land and could be the key to helping her survive.
As the story progresses, Michelle starts to unravel the truth about her brother’s disappearance. She discovers that the forces behind his vanishing are much more sinister than she first imagined. The story not only deals with action and survival but also touches on themes of family, trust, and the dangers of unchecked technology.
Who Is Starring in The Electric State?
The casting for The Electric State is packed with familiar faces, especially for fans of science fiction and action films.
At the center of the movie is Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Michelle. Brown has quickly become one of Netflix’s biggest stars after her breakout role as Eleven in Stranger Things.
This role in The Electric State will be her fifth collaboration with Netflix. Besides Stranger Things, she has also starred in two Enola Holmes movies and the action fantasy film Damsel.
Alongside Brown, Chris Pratt plays Keats, the mysterious drifter Michelle meets along her journey. Pratt is no stranger to working with the Russo brothers, having played Star-Lord in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
His addition to the cast adds a layer of familiarity for fans of Marvel movies. Pratt’s character in this film is very different from the superheroes he’s known for, offering a fresh take on his acting range.
Other notable actors in the cast include Ke Huy Quan, who recently won an Academy Award for his role in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quan plays Dr. Amherst, a character who plays an important role in Michelle’s journey.
Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci is also part of the cast, playing a character named Ethan Skate. Woody Norman stars as Christopher, Michelle’s younger brother, who is at the center of the plot. The film’s villain, Colonel Marshall Bradbury, is played by Giancarlo Esposito, known for his work in The Mandalorian and Breaking Bad.
The voice cast for The Electric State is equally impressive. Anthony Mackie voices Herman, a character that plays a key role in the story. Woody Harrelson provides the voice for a character named Mr. Peanut, while Brian Cox voices a character named PopFly.
Jenny Slate and Alan Tudyk also lend their voices to key roles in the film. This combination of well-known actors and voice talent brings a lot of star power to the movie.
Interestingly, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh was originally cast to play the role of a human doctor that Michelle must find as part of her journey.
However, due to scheduling conflicts, she had to drop out of the project. Ke Huy Quan stepped in to take on the role instead, marking another collaboration between the two actors after their success in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
When Will The Electric State Be Released?
The Electric State is scheduled to be released on Friday, March 14, 2025. The movie was first announced in 2022 when Netflix picked up the rights to adapt the novel.
While fans of Simon Stålenhag’s work have been eagerly awaiting the film adaptation, the process of bringing the book to the big screen has taken a few years.
There has been no official announcement about whether the movie will have a theatrical release. For now, it appears that The Electric State will be released exclusively on Netflix. It will be one of the biggest releases in Netflix’s 2025 movie lineup.
Other major Netflix releases planned for 2025 include Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Back in Action starring Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, Happy Gilmore 2 with Adam Sandler, and Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein.
Is There a Trailer for The Electric State?
Yes, Netflix released the first teaser trailer for The Electric State on October 17, 2024, just before the movie’s panel at New York Comic Con. The trailer, set to the song “Champagne Supernova” by Oasis, introduces viewers to the world of The Electric State.
The trailer shows a young girl, Michelle, traveling through a decaying version of Seattle, shortly after a robot uprising. She is joined by a mysterious drifter and a smiling yellow robot, as they search for her lost brother.
The trailer gives viewers a glimpse of the retro-futuristic world and hints at the emotional depth of the story.
It teases the dangers the characters face, the strange machines they encounter, and the challenges they must overcome. Fans of dystopian stories and science fiction are eagerly awaiting the full movie after seeing the teaser.
Who Is Behind the Making of The Electric State?
The Electric State is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, who are also producing the film. The Russo brothers are well-known for their work on Marvel’s Captain America and Avengers movies, but they have also directed and produced other films outside the superhero genre.
This will be their second time directing a film for Netflix, following their work on The Gray Man, an action thriller starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans.
The screenplay for The Electric State was written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who have worked with the Russo brothers on several previous films.
Markus and McFeely wrote the screenplays for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.
Their collaboration with the Russo brothers has resulted in some of the biggest box office successes in recent years, and fans are excited to see what they bring to The Electric State.
The film’s production began in October 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia, and filming wrapped in February 2023. The budget for the movie is reported to be around $320 million, making it the most expensive Netflix film to date.
This budget exceeds the previous record holders, The Gray Man and Red Notice, which each cost around $200 million to produce.
Why The Electric State Is One to Watch
With its unique blend of retro-futurism, emotional storytelling, and thrilling action, The Electric State promises to be an exciting and visually stunning film.
The combination of the Russo brothers’ directing, an all-star cast, and Simon Stålenhag’s imaginative world makes this movie one of the most anticipated releases of 2025.
Fans of dystopian stories, science fiction, and post-apocalyptic adventures will find plenty to enjoy in The Electric State. Whether you’re a fan of the original novel or just looking for a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre, this movie is one to keep an eye on.
