Jurassic World (2015) star Chris Pratt joins Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) and the Russo brothers at New York Comic Con for a panel on their upcoming 2025 Netflix film, The Electric State. The event featured new footage, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights from the cast and filmmakers, offering a deeper look into the highly anticipated sci-fi adventure.
Set in a retro-futuristic 1990s, The Electric State is based on Simon Stålenhag’s visual novel by the same name. The film follows Michelle (Brown), a young woman who embarks on a cross-country journey with Keats (Pratt), a drifter, and a mysterious robot, as they search for Michelle’s missing brother. The story unfolds in a world grappling with the aftermath of a war between humans and AI, where the landscape is littered with debris and massive dead robots.
Pratt, who initially planned to take a break before reading the script was turned around by a strong emotional connection to The Electric State screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Markus and McFeely are known for creating The Chronicles of Narnia film franchise in 2005, and Marvel films such as Avengers: Endgame (2019), which positions them as veteran fantasy and science fiction filmmakers. The film marks a reunion for the Russo brothers with some of their Marvel collaborators, including Pratt and Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World). The brothers revealed that the project has been in the works for half a decade, drawing inspiration from Stålenhag’s visually rich and imaginative artwork. Anthony Russo highlighted how the team used the book’s imagery as a springboard to create a more specific and linear narrative for the movie.
The film’s ‘90s setting plays a key role in its storytelling, with nostalgia woven throughout. The cast and crew discussed how the era’s cultural references blend with futuristic technology to create a distinctive atmosphere that seamlessly merges the past with the film’s speculative elements.
In addition to action-packed scenes, the film explores themes of trauma and disconnection, both for the human and robot characters. Pratt’s character, Keats, is a dropout from society, while his robot companion, Herman (voiced by Mackie), has also rejected his place in the AI world. The directors revealed that these characters’ journeys mirror the broader tension between technology and humanity within the film.
The ensemble cast also includes Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Stanley Tucci (Conclave) and Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito. The Russos expressed their love for ensemble storytelling, which has been a consistent element of their work across both television and film.
The Electric State is set to premiere on Netflix on March 16, 2025, and promises to be a blend of action, emotion, and visual spectacle, offering viewers a unique cinematic journey.
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