Netflix's Upcoming Shows: 'The Sandman' and 'Squid Game' Renewed, While 'The Witcher' Faces Setbacks

Netflix's "Nimona" receives critical acclaim after Disney dropped the graphic novel adaptation.

It has been an eventful week in the world of TUDUM, with numerous exciting releases and developments taking place. While The Witcher's third season has garnered much attention, it is Nimona that has captured hearts. This graphic novel adaptation, rescued by Netflix after being discarded by Disney, has received critical acclaim and enthusiastic responses from audiences since its release on Friday.

In addition to these releases, Netflix has made several announcements that have generated excitement for the continuation of popular series. Pre-production has begun for the second seasons of The Sandman, Squid Game, and Monster, with casting calls and confirmations sparking interest among fans.

Amidst all this, a new Thai drama thriller called Delete and Sarah Snook's venture into horror with Run Rabbit Run have made waves in the charts. Furthermore, Yuji Sakamoto, a highly talented Japanese writer who recently received an award at Cannes, has signed an exclusive five-year deal with Netflix. Sakamoto, known for his work on Monster (not to be confused with the Netflix series), now has the opportunity to further showcase his skills on the streaming platform.

Disney must be feeling a pang of regret as Nimona, a movie it once discarded, is receiving overwhelmingly positive reactions. After being axed alongside its original production studio Blue Sky, Nimona found a new home on Netflix, and the partnership seems to have been a perfect match. Fans are not only praising the film for embracing its LGBTQ+ themes more openly than its source material (something Disney was reportedly concerned about), but it also boasts an impressive 94% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, accompanied by an audience score of 88%. It is truly gratifying when deserving projects that faced setbacks are given a second chance to thrive, and Nimona stands out as a title that embodies this sentiment.

Within a few days, updates regarding the new seasons of three highly popular Netflix series have emerged, offering insights into what viewers can expect in the upcoming chapters. These updates primarily revolve around casting choices, shedding light on the direction the shows will take.

Squid Game, the South Korean sensation, will introduce a roster of new actors in its second season. Choi Seung-hyun, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-wook, Park Gyu-young, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an are among the new additions. Netflix had previously announced the return of Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, and Yim Si-wan during its global event TUDUM.

Meanwhile, Ryan Murphy has disclosed the subject matter for the second season of his controversial true crime series, Monster. Following the exploration of Jeffrey Dahmer's heinous crimes in the first season, the upcoming episodes will focus on Lyle and Erik Menendez, who infamously murdered their parents in 1989. Cooper Koch and Nicholas Alexander Chavez have been cast to portray Erik and Lyle, respectively.

The Sandman, a DC adaptation, has also made significant progress, with filming commencing for its second season. Tom Sturridge has been spotted on set, and intriguing casting calls have gone out for characters who will be familiar to fans of the superhero genre. However, it should be noted that these characters, namely Thor, Loki, and Odin, will not resemble their Marvel counterparts in any significant way. According to reports, Thor will be portrayed as "brusque, rude, quick to anger, and always ready for a fight."

Although Henry Cavill continues to portray the iconic Geralt of Rivia in the first half of The Witcher's recently released third season, it is no secret that he had disagreements with the show's writers and producers, which led to his decision to leave the project. While he was obligated to complete filming for the third season, viewers are increasingly noticing deviations from the source material, much to the disappointment of fans. As expected, fans expressed their discontent through review bombing, resulting in a less favorable audience score of 49% on Rotten Tomatoes, despite a relatively positive reception from critics.

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