The upcoming Netflix original film, Slumberland, is one of many introduced in the streaming service's 2022 movies trailer. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who's known for such work as The Hunger Games series, 2005's Constantine, and I Am Legend, Slumberland will likely feature some dark fantastical elements to match its surreal source material, Winsor McCay's 1905-1927 comic strip, Little Nemo in Slumberland. Like most of the other films on Netflix's 2022 release slate, many of the details surrounding Slumberland are still a mystery, but some information has been confirmed.
In total, 28 titles ranging from Ryan Reynolds' sci-fi adventure The Adam Project to Knives Out 2 were introduced in Netflix's 2022 movies teaser. Among the wide range of genres featured in the teaser, there seem to be several fantasy projects in the works, such as The School for Good and Evil, (which, like Slumberland, is adapted from a book), and animated features like The Sea Beast, Wendell & Wild, and Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Among these films, some of which are geared towards family and some of which might be on the darker side, Slumberland stands to possibly land somewhere in the middle. Regardless, it certainly ranks among the rest of the 2022 films as a Netflix original with high production value.
In true teaser fashion, Netflix hasn't given away much about its 2022 roster other than that it will be extensive, genre-diverse, and big-budget. However, some details are available about Slumberland. Here's a guide to everything that's known so far.
Slumberland Cast & Characters
Dune hero Jason Momoa headlines Slumberland as Flip, a self-proclaimed outlaw and faun-like creature with horns who guides the young human protagonist, Nema (Marlow Barkley) through a land of dreams and nightmares. Also included in Slumberland's cast are Chris O’Dowd, Kyle Chandler, and India de Beaufort in unconfirmed roles. Humberly Gonzalez, Weruche Opia, and Tonya Cornelisse feature as the characters Graciela and Agents Green and Red, respectively, according to IMDb, although the exact nature of these roles is still unclear.
Slumberland Story Details
Winsor McCay's comic strip is episodic with some loose overarching storylines throughout its 22-year run, meaning Slumberland will be free to take plenty of liberties in creating its own distinct narrative. The film's official logline reveals that it will follow the story of 11-year-old Nema, who has recently lost her father, as she is guided by Flip and a map of Slumberland to try to find him again in dreams. Thus, like some of Jason Momoa's other movies and TV shows, Slumberland will give him the chance to deliver poignant moments as well as his signature physical feats and comedy.
Slumberland 2022 Release Date Prediction
Few of Netflix's 2022 films have specific release dates, meaning it's unknown exactly when Slumberland will hit the streaming platform. However, evidence from other Netflix originals and Slumberland's own shooting schedule suggest that it could release in the first half of 2022, possibly in May. The Adam Project, which has a confirmed release of March 11, 2022, wrapped filming around the same time in 2021, meaning Slumberland, which wrapped in May of 2021, may follow a similar schedule. Given that it's one of the 28 films Netflix has already revealed in its plan to release a new movie every week for all of 2022, Slumberland definitely seems poised to premiere earlier in the year rather than later.
Slumberland Trailer: What Footage Has Been Released
The only Slumberland footage currently out is what's in the Netflix 2022 movies trailer. This includes a shot of a lighthouse under Norther lights, in which Momoa's Flip says "you can go places your dreams can't dream of," and a later clip in which Nema's bed sails out on a nighttime ocean. Although this is all Netflix has revealed for now, it's possible that Slumberland will get a more complete trailer closer to its release date.