Horizon Zero Dawn: Series Cancelled After Bullying Allegations Against Umbrella Academy Showrunner?

The plan to adapt the video game Horizon Zero Dawn into a Netflix original TV series may have been temporarily canceled. As the most loyal fans of the Horizon video game saga will remember, about two years ago the TV series that would bring the adventures of Aloy back to the screen was announced. Although it had been almost two years, in fact, without any information, the project was still considered in the works and an evolution was anxiously awaited. Unfortunately, news arrived today, following a scandalous case involving the TV series The Umbrella Academy (here we tell you what happened). “Unfortunately”, because, apparently, the TV series seems to have been canceled along with other important projects in the works. By the way, here you can find a list of the most painful cancellations of July on Netflix.

Horizon Zero Dawn: Series Cancelled After Bullying Allegations

In recent days, Steve Blackman, the showrunner of The Umbrella Academy, has been in the eye of the storm. He has been accused of having created a toxic work environment, with bullying and manipulation against the actors and workers. How would this event connect to the alleged cancellation of the TV series Horizon? The Netflix production adaptation was precisely under the supervision of Steve Blackman, who also guarded some other key projects in the works. Yesterday, a post about X arrived from Cheyenne Roundtree, a senior reporter at Rolling Stone, whose content leaves no doubt. The journalist writes that the projects that Steve Blackman was working on at Netflix have been canceled. Among these, are the TV series Horizon Zero Dawn and Orbital. Here is the official post:

https://x.com/cheyenne_round/status/1808627787953053814

Following the announcement, Horizon 2074, the prequel series to the video game, completely disappeared from the radar. However, rumors had it that the show had recently been greenlit and was set to begin filming this year. Sadly, Horizon 2074 has apparently been shelved, following a Rolling Stone report in which at least twelve employees accused Canadian showrunner Steve Blackman of “toxic workplace behavior”, including manipulation, bullying, and sexist, homophobic, and transphobic comments.

The screenwriter and producer reportedly fired a female screenwriter shortly after she gave birth, leaving her without a job. Blackman has stated that he didn’t know she was pregnant, despite speaking to her in his office when she was in her third trimester. He also reportedly began taking credit for other people’s work, pitting his colleagues against each other, and insulting his employees. Some staff members have stated that they witnessed sexist behavior: “If you were a woman, you were treated with hostility or as if you were stupid”. Despite the numerous accusations, Blackman has denied all of them, claiming they are all false. These are the words of his representative:

After 6 years and 4 seasons, of working with staff, actors, and writers, Steve Blackman has made The Umbrella Academy one of the most beloved series, thanks to dedicated fans, engaging stories, and an amazing team that made it all possible. These accusations coming from a handful of disgruntled employees are completely false and outrageous, and in no way reflect the work environment that Mr. Blackman has created over the years.

There have even been private conversations where the man complains about the gender change of the protagonist of The Umbrella Academy: “Elliot Page wants to come out as trans in the show. What the fuck. Kill me now”, In any case, Netflix seems to have preemptively interrupted the production of two television series: Horizon 2074 and Orbital. We do not know whether permanently or not, as if the accusations were to prove false, everything could return to normal. But if it were all true, Netflix could fire Blackman and sell the series, or entrust the project to another showrunner. While waiting for further updates, we invite you to find out what the spin-off of Horizon Zero Dawn will be like.