David Farnor | On 13, Oct 2022

“Seven more Blockbusters closed. You’re officially the last one on Earth.” That’s the sound of the end of an era being brought back to life in Netflix’s Blockbuster.

The 10-episode comedy stars Randall Park as Timmy Yoon, an analog dreamer living in a 5G world. While everyone else is streaming entertainment, he’s operating the very last Blockbuster and fighting to stay relevant. With the help of his long-time crush, Eliza (Melissa Fumero), the team are hoping they can offer the community something that big corporations can’t: human connection.

Created by Vanessa Ramos (Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) with David Caspe (Happy Endings, Black Monday) and Jackie Clarke (Superstore, Happy Endings), the series co-stars Tyler Alvarez, Madeleine Arthur, Olga Merediz, JB Smoove and Kamaia Fairburn.

You can see them in action on 3rd November, when the series premieres on Netflix. Here’s the new trailer:

 

First look: Netflix releases Blockbuster this November

27th August 2022

Netflix is taking a step back into the past this November with new series Blockbuster – and a host of images give us a first look at a nostalgic comedy tinged with several doses of irony.

The 10-episode series stars Randall Park as Timmy Yoon, an analog dreamer living in a 5G world. While everyone else is streaming entertainment, he’s operating the very last Blockbuster and fighting to stay relevant. With the help of his long-time crush, Eliza (Melissa Fumero), the team are hoping they can offer the community something that big corporations can’t: human connection.

Created by Vanessa Ramos (Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine) with David Caspe (Happy Endings, Black Monday) and Jackie Clarke (Superstore, Happy Endings), the series co-stars Tyler Alvarez, Madeleine Arthur, Olga Merediz, JB Smoove and Kamaia Fairburn.

Netflix picked up the series last November, many years after Blockbuster turned down the option to buy its fledging rival in its early days, only for the then-DVD postal service to pivot to digital and end up the dominant home entertainment player. Blockbuster, meanwhile, closed down in 2014.

Now, its stores are (sort of) opening their doors once again, when Blockbuster premieres on Netflix on 3rd November.

 

 

Randall Park to star in Blockbuster comedy series… for Netflix

18th November 2021

Randall Park will star in a new comedy series for Netflix about the video rental chain Blockbuster

The streaming giant picking up the series is a move that comes loaded with irony, after Blockbuster turned down the option to buy its fledging rival in its early days, only for the DVD postal service to pivot to digital and end up the dominant home entertainment player. Blockbuster, meanwhile, closed down in 2014.

The 10-episode series, produced by Universal TV, is a single-camera workplace comedy set in the last remaining Blockbuster store. It’s created by Vanessa Ramos, whose CV includes NBC/Uni TV’s Superstore and Brooklyn Nine-Nine and who also has an overall deal at Universal TV. Happy Endings creator David Caspe and Jackie Clarke (Superstore, Happy Endings) also serve as writers and executive producers. John Davis and John Fox executive produce for Davis Entertainment.

This isn’t the first modern TV or film to include a visual reference to Blockbuster, with Captain Marvel (pictured) recreating a store for a sequence set in the 1990s. For the Netflix show, the producers have acquired the rights to use Blockbuster’s logo and uniforms, which will add a poignant air of nostalgia and authenticity to the tale of what it takes for a small business to success against all odds.

“When Vanessa and David first came in and shared this idea for a comedy series, we were immediately excited,” Tracey Pakosta, Head of Comedy, Netflix, said in a statement. “This is ultimately the story of a dedicated group of co-workers, with a lot of heart. And now with the hilarious Randall Park signing on to play the lead, it’s a no brainer.”

Uni TV’s head of comedy Jim Donnelly added: “We’re so happy to be strolling the aisles of a Blockbuster once again, with Vanessa, David, and Jackie leading the way. We’re also thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Netflix, where we never have to worry about late fees.”

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