Despite the critical panning that it has received, David Ayer’s Bright appears to be a resounding success for Netflix, garnering over 11 million view in the US alone in its first weekend.
Whilst the Netflix model is still in its early stages, without the same sorts of lines of measurements that we would usually have for a box office success, it appears that Netflix is extremely happy with these numbers – so happy in fact that a sequel is already in development with lead Will Smith set to return.
With these sorts of viewing figures, as well as the opportunity to now have this exclusive property in the Netflix vault forever and the sales that merchandise – including the Bright soundtrack will receive, it is no surprise that Netflix is happy with their investment. Especially when this investment, although on shaky ground in terms of critical success, is Netflix’s first big blockbuster, one that they can turn into a franchise with a built in audience ready to view it.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of Bright here
Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward, a human (Will Smith), and Jakoby, an orc (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.
Bright features a cast that includes Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry, Edgar Ramirez, Ike Barinholtz, Happy Anderson, Kenneth Choi, Brad William Henke, Andrea Navedo, Dawn Olivieri, Veronica Ngo, Alex Meraz and Jay Hernandez.
Originally published December 30, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
