As Netflix’s Tudum event begins, the service has released information and previews for a number of upcoming shows and movies, including the Jason Momoa–starring Slumberland. The film’s makers have published a new preview, giving audiences their first look at the fantastical and colourful world they’ve created. Little Nemo in Slumberland, a comic strip that began publication in 1905 as a derivation of the earlier work Dream of the Rarebit Fiend, served as the inspiration for Slumberland.
The 1989 animated film adaptation of Little Nemo in Slumberland, Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland, also earned a devoted fanbase after its release. The new trailer shows that Netflix’s version will provide a fresh perspective on the classic story. Momoa and the film’s protagonist, Marlow Barkley, are shown here at the beginning of their journey in a newly released trailer. After warning Barkley’s Nema (who is modelled on the comic strip’s Nemo) to be careful, Momoa’s character is seen reassuring her that everything is going to change.
He shows Nema “fresh new dreams still under development” and explains the ground laws of the dream realm. The clip is both humorous and instructive, giving viewers a glimpse inside the pair’s endeavour to recover stolen pearls. The film also gives a sneak peek at the characters’ personalities, revealing that Nema is clever and fast on her feet, while Momoa’s Flip is a showoff with a lot of charm. Slumberland centres on Barkley’s Nema, who, accompanied by Momoa’s crazy outlaw, ventures into the dream realm in search of her deceased father. The fantasy film also has India de Beaufort, Chris O’Dowd, and Weruche Opia as Agent Green in addition to Momoa and Barkley as the leads.
Kyle Chandler plays Nema, Nema’s father. Francis Lawrence, known for directing four of the five films in The Hunger Games trilogy, helms Slumberland. Furthermore, Lawrence will helm the next Hunger Games prequel film The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This is Netflix’s second attempt at a complex and action-packed dreamscape in 2018. Before that, the streamer’s critically acclaimed The Sandman series explored the dynamic dream realm. Even if the two works couldn’t be more different in terms of tone and plot, it will be interesting to see how Slumberland’s dream world compares to The Sandman’s. Unfortunately, we won’t know until the release of Slumberland on November 18.