Tim Miller and Dave Wilson, renowned for their significant contributions to the gaming industry, have embarked on an exciting new venture with Secret Level. While audiences may recognize Miller for his directorial success with Deadpool (2016), his roots lie deep within the realm of video games. He co-founded Blur Studio, a visual effects production company that crafted cinematic trailers for iconic gaming franchises, including Batman: Arkham and Halo. Meanwhile, Wilson has partnered with Miller for over two decades, serving as a cinematic director on projects like BioShock Infinite and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II.
Secret Level is a heartfelt homage to the various video game franchises that have inspired Miller and Wilson as both creators and fans. Comprising 15 episodes, this anthology series offers fresh perspectives on a plethora of beloved titles. Viewers can look forward to a gritty reinterpretation of Bandai Namco’s Pac-Man, an elegant adaptation of Sloclap’s Sifu, a dynamic vision of FromSoftware’s Armored Core, and a dark reboot of Capcom’s Mega Man, among many others.
The show boasts an impressive voice cast featuring notable talents such as Keanu Reeves, Kevin Hart, Gabriel Luna, Ariana Greenblatt, and the dynamic duo of Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger. The inclusion of celebrated voice actress Laura Bailey, along with actors Michael Beach, Emily Swallow, and Claudia Doumit, enriches the series. Miller and Wilson’s artistic and visually stunning approach promises a gripping viewing experience for gaming aficionados.
In light of Secret Level‘s recent debut on Prime Video, ScreenRant had the opportunity to converse with Miller and Wilson. They shared insights into the challenges faced while developing the series, the influence of the Deadpool test footage, and their aspirations for bringing Warhammer to life alongside Prime Video’s future cinematic endeavors.
The Prolonged Journey of Secret Level
“Nothing that was easy is anything I remember…”
ScreenRant: I particularly enjoyed the Spelunky episode, especially its exploration of themes such as failure and adventure that emerges from it. This made me think about your creative journey. Can you reflect on how you found magic and exploration through your own struggles during the creation of Secret Level?
Tim Miller: I appreciate that setup! We often discuss in the CG sector that the most challenging projects remain vivid in our memories. When artists recount nights spent working overtime, I realize that the easier experiences fade away. It’s the challenging ones—the projects where you had to really exert effort—that stay with you.
Dave Wilson: One of my most cherished memories comes from creating a cinematic for Warhammer: Dawn of War two decades ago. These projects usually take months, but we pulled it together in just weeks. I convinced Tim to take the plunge and say yes. There are countless obstacles on the path to success. As some famous commercial states, “I’ve failed over and over again, and that is why I succeed.”It’s a tough journey, but we feel fortunate.
Tim Miller: On the bright side, we’re incredibly lucky to have opportunities like this. Suggesting a project and having someone invest in it is simply astonishing.
Dave Wilson: You hope for enough success to keep taking risks. I remember how, following the success of Deadpool, Tim and David Fincher aimed to launch Love, Death, and Robots after years of trying. That success demonstrated what adult animated anthologies could achieve, paving the way for us to tackle even more meaningful intellectual property.
Tim Miller: What Fincher really told me was, “Congratulations! We’re using your success to finally get Love, Death, and Robots off the ground.”So, we made that leap with Netflix.
Deadpool Test Footage as a Foundation for the Series
Wade Wilson’s Test Footage Showcased Effective Tone Capture
As I watched Secret Level, I couldn’t help but recall Tim Miller’s directorial style from the Deadpool test footage. It feels remarkably similar in structure and tone. Would you say that footage was a precursor to what Secret Level has become?
Tim Miller: Interestingly, I think the work we did on Game Sit Matters and various trailers served as a precursor to Deadpool. It prepared us to effectively package a substantial amount of narrative within a short timeframe, which is quite a unique creative challenge.
Dave Wilson: The essence of that test was not just about the story; it focused on encapsulating the right tone in a brief segment. It aimed to convey to the audience what those characters are truly like and the world they inhabit. Blur’s talented artists, who have been honing their craft over three decades, produced that trailer, and we certainly went above budget!
Secret Level’s Warhammer Development Preceded Broader Universe Plans
Plans for a Cinematic Universe Featuring Henry Cavill
You’ve beautifully captured the tone in the show, particularly in the Warhammer episode. Given that there are significant plans for Warhammer under the Amazon MGM umbrella, did Henry Cavill offer any input on the episode?
Dave Wilson: Not directly. We’ve often expressed interest in collaborating with Henry.
Tim Miller: That invitation still stands.
Dave Wilson: The concept for Secret Level was in motion long before the larger Warhammer universe plans were public. When I joined the project over three years ago, Warhammer was already part of our lineup. With such a vast universe, I hope we can align our ambitions with Henry’s aspirations. Animation and live-action can coexist; both have their place within the broader narrative. For instance, Spider-Man exists across animated and live-action formats, demonstrating audience flexibility.
Tim Miller: Surprisingly, during our work on the Dawn of War cinematic, we bonded with the Games Workshop team. They even floated the idea of making a movie. While Hollywood views a film adaptation as monumental, they already have a thriving ecosystem with millions of fans, including replica toys and published works. They’re well-established.
Dave Wilson: We merely borrow this iconic franchise with the hope of enhancing its legacy. It has been sustained by the creative minds in Nottingham for four decades, and we endeavor to leave it better than we found it.
Future Episodes on the Horizon for Wilson & Miller
Identifying Two Specific Games for Future Adaptation
Tim Miller: The list is extensive. There are so many ideas waiting to be explored.
Dave Wilson: One concept I’m keen to pursue would be creating an episode themed around Pong. The challenge lies in defining its essence—what would it look like?
Tim Miller: It could be just as unsettling as your take on Pac-Man.
I hold out hope for a Fortnite episode in the future, considering its rich lore and expansive universe.
Tim Miller: That’s like the Moby Dick of video games.
Dave Wilson: We have a great relationship with the developers; we’ve worked closely with them before.
About Secret Level
Secret Level is an innovative adult-animated anthology series that presents original narratives within the realms of some of gaming’s most cherished franchises. Born from the creativity behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS, each of the 15 episodes serves as a tribute to the gaming community.
Secret Level is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
Source: ScreenRant Plus
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