After nearly three decades of making movies, Michael Bay will get into the TV business; or at least the Netflix business. THR reports that the director is in talks to helm the streamer’s adaptation of “Barbaric,” based on the best-selling Vault Comics series of the same name. A TV show about a barbarian and his talking demonic axe as they seek redemption sounds like quite the departure for the guy who made “Bad Boys,” “Transformers,” and “Ambulance,” but maybe Bay’s hefty camera movements suit this show’s purpose.
Sam Claflin and Patrick Stewart will star in the upcoming series as Owen and his talking axe, respectively, with “Up In The Air” and “X-Men: First Class” scribe Sheldon Turner writing the series. Turner also serves as executive producer on the series with Jennifer Klein through their 100% Productions banner. Other executive producers include F.J. DeSanto and Damian Wassel for Vault Comics, and Claflin, Luke Carroll, and Michael Stevenson through Cusp Films. A+E Studios will co-produce with Netflix, with Barry Jossen and Tana Jamieson as executive producers through the banner.
“Barbaric” is one of the biggest indie comic book hits this decade, so no surprise Netflix wants to make it into a series. Vault launched the title in 2021, with writer Michael Moreci and artist Nathan Gooden as creators. The title’s three volumes sold over 500,000 units, with sales in six languages. “Barbaric” grew so popular Vault launched a spin-off series in 2023.
If Bay signs on to direct “Barbaric,” it’ll be his first time working with Turner since 2006’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning,” where which Bay produced through his Platinum Dunes banner. But if Bay chooses not direct, he’s still in the Vault business: Platinum Dunes will co-produce a new story universe by Post Malone with the comics outlet.
As for Claflin, Owen in “Barbaric” would be arguably the biggest role of his career. Other credits for the actor include Finnick Odair in “The Hunger Games” franchise, “Me Before You,” and “Daisy Jones And The Six.” And Stewart’s recent work includes “Star Trek: Picard” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” (yup, Xavier is showing up in that one).
Stay tuned for if Michael Bay will indeed direct “Barbaric” for Netflix; a departure, sure, but it may be a welcome one.