In a recent interview, Chris Williams discussed the sequel to The Sea Beast, working at Netflix, and the differences between animation studios.
Netflix
The Sea Beast was released on Netflix just a few months ago and has since become the most-viewed animated movie in Netflix’s history. Moreover, it has the second-longest Top 10 tenure for a Netflix film launched in 2022 and seven consecutive weeks on the Global Weekly Top 10 Films list. As a result, Netflix now wants more, and filmmaker Chris Williams is prepared to deliver it. Williams signed an overall deal with the streaming company after the movie’s success and is currently working on two feature projects.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Williams discussed his expectations for a sequel to the animated movie. He also discussed his concern that developments in artificial intelligence will be detrimental to animators in the future and mentioned how he feels grateful despite the difficult decision of leaving Disney after 25 years.
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“I agonized over it a very long time. There are reasons to stay at Disney and there are reasons to leave. And the reasons to stay are also reasons to leave. They treated me very well, I was very comfortable, and the relationships I had there stretched decades.”
He explained the importance of detaching from Disney and being able to tell a story that was distinct from what you normally consider North American feature animation. As a filmmaker for Disney or DreamWorks, you can push the boundaries of what people believe a Disney film to be. Although this can provide a sense of creative satisfaction, Williams explained that he reached a point where he didn’t want to nudge the boundary but instead “leap over it.”
The filmmaker stated that the animation landscape has changed since his start at Netflix and that Disney used to be the only company producing 2D animations in the past. Additionally, he found it difficult to imagine that the company would last forever. Other companies, including DreamWorks, Pixar, and Illumination, have seen steady growth over the last few years.
Netflix has proven itself to be a reputable production company regarding animations in the past year. According to Williams, the business model at the company is fundamentally different from what is seen at Pixar or Disney. This is because there is a lot of concern about the results of one or two movies produced in a year. On the other hand, at Netflix, the risk is distributed in various ways, resulting in no movie feeling burdened by that uncertainty.
“It’s a huge source of pride. These are different projects, and they all feel risky. They all feel like they came from a place of passion, that the people who made them really wanted to make them. And that to me really separates it from being strictly a commercial enterprise. When you see these movies that Netflix made, it seems like the artists were given a chance to make the movie they’ve always wanted to make. And there are more coming.”
Although The Sea Beast was a very ambitious movie, Williams felt supported throughout its development. In the post-production phase, Netflix talked about him staying with the company.
“That represents a financial investment and risk, and they were always cool letting me making the movie I wanted to make. I always value people’s opinions and I will always listen to what anyone has to say. But they never forced my hand and they never made me do anything other than let me do the movie I wanted to make. And I really appreciated that. And so I wanted to do it again.”
Related: Why Netflix’s The Sea Beast is a Monster Movie With Morals
The Possibility of a Sea Beast Sequel
Netflix
Despite the success of The Sea Beast, the director admitted he never thought beyond the first film and that they never planned to make it a franchise. Instead, he intended to keep the film as a fun experience and not compromise it by setting up future plot lines. Though The Sea Beast was designed to be “plausible and truthful,” Williams believes there is a lot more story potential.
“One of the things that is true about story is that it always evolves. Dramatically, even. Sea Beast used to be called Jacob and the Sea Beast before Masie existed. And it underwent a radical transformation. Almost anything I say now, in four years, can be completely different.”
Currently, Williams is developing two projects, and executives let him decide which is his priority. The Sea Beast is currently streaming on Netflix and available now.
You can view the original article HERE.
