The Bluffer's Guide to Slumberland

Slumberland has existed for over 100 years

The original full-page weekly comic strip was created by American cartoonist and animator Windsor McCay over 100 years ago in 1905! Published in the New York Herald, it ran until 1911, but was then revived between 1924-1926. Even in the 1900s, it was a whimsical, surreal voyage into a dreamworld that pushed the boundaries of the medium; no surprise it was so popular with readers.

The adventures of Nemo

The plot of the original comic strip featured the young Nemo climbing into his bed at night and soaring off into a world of adventure called Slumberland. The 2022 film is loosely the same; young Nemo (Marlow Barkley) discovers a secret map to the dreamworld Slumberland and with the help of the eccentric outlaw Flip (Jason Momoa), she travels through dreams and nightmares in search of her late father.

Slumberland has a host of memorable characters

The main character of Slumberland is Nemo, played by relative newcomer Marlow Barkley, who will journey through Slumberland meeting a cast of colourful characters along the way. Jason Momoa’s Flip has been altered slightly from the original. The 2022 Flip has been described as a nine-foot-tall half-man, half-beast with tusks, fur, and ears. This peculiar yet loveable character is sure to be a fun role for the revered actor. Flip isn’t the only sidekick in the film; Nemo is accompanied by her trusty cuddly pig toy (already an Outpost favourite). The film also features talented actors Weruche Opia, Chris O’Dowd, India de Beaufort, among others.

It’s been adapted once before

This will be the third iteration of Nemo’s adventures after the original comic and an 80s animated version of the story. Slumberland last appeared on our screens in 1989 as the animated Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland. Directed by Masami Hata and William T. Hurtz, this combination of Japanese and American film styles featured screenwriting from legendary science fiction author Ray Bradbury.

Slumberland is in capable hands

Slumberland is directed by Francis Lawrence, who’s worked on another popular children’s book adaptation. From 2013-2015 Lawrence directed The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. He’s also worked with Jason Momoa before, directing three episodes of Apple TV’s epic sci-fi drama See, which Outpost also worked on!

Its creator was an earlier pioneer of animation

While Windsor McCay was celebrated for his work on cartoon strips, he was also one of the founders of animation. In 1914 McCay created one of the earliest examples of an animated film, Gertie the Dinosaur, which used separate background and foreground animations to create a complete film. His legacy can be seen in the animated films of Walt Disney, Warner Brothers and Hanna-Barbera. With the live-action Slumberland pushing the boundary of modern VFX, viewers will get a chance to experience McCay’s vision in a brand-new form.

Slumberland is available to stream from November 18, so keep an eager eye on Netflix ahead of its release! You can learn more about Outpost's involvement in Slumberland over on our work page.