Gorillaz, the most influential virtual band in the world, has been synonymous with animation since the band’s first music releases in the early 2000s. From “Feel Good Inc.” to “Saturn Barz,” their songs are always paired with stunning music videos that embody the creative spirit of the animation medium, and for years, fans have dreamed of what a feature-length film based on Gorillaz would look like. Now, Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn has confirmed that a feature-length Gorillaz film is in production forNetflix.
Gorillaz’s extensive discography includes acclaimed albums likeDemon Days,Plastic Beach, andHumanz. The band has also been involved in many ventures in mediums outside of music. Gorillaz has also been involved in the culture surrounding video games, titling a song “Pac-Man” and setting the music video for “The Valley of the Pagans"in the world ofGrand Theft Auto V.
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Now, Gorillaz will be inspiring a feature-lengthNetflixfilm. Albarn is excited to work with the creative team of Netflix and is confident about the potential quality of the film. “I see a lot of people doing animated videos these days,” he said to Apple Music, “but I don’t think they really touch the quality of ours. We’re more in the world of[anime company] Studio Ghibli.” The announcement of a Gorillaz feature film follows multiple attempts to make a movie or television series based on the band. Gorillaz almost made a film with DreamWorks for a 2003 release, though the band parted ways with DreamWorks after the studio wanted to make a family-friendly version of the band’s world and story. A series was in development around 2017, though that series was also scrapped.
Netflix has been increasingly eager to champion a variety of animated films and series. As of late, Netflix has released a variety of content that animation fans are stoked about, from the live-action adaptation ofCowboy Bebopto the stunning Mexican seriesMaya and the Three. Netflix will soon be releasing even more exciting animated films, includingThe Summit of the Gods, Henry Selick’sWendell & Wild, and Guillermo del Toro’sPinocchio, while upcoming Netflix television series include video game adaptations likeSonicPrimeand a show based on the influential indie gameCuphead.
2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs, the virtual members of Gorillaz, are four of the most iconic original characters when it comes to music, and there’s little doubt that a feature film chronicling their misadventures would be capable of entertaining millions. And withNetflixpushing animation harder and harder each passing year, even the zaniest of ideas such asthe conspiracy comedyInside Job, it seems like Gorillaz’s feature film project has finally found a home.
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