Legion (TV series): Difference between revisions
Line 214: | Line 214: | ||
Hawley wanted the series to be highly stylized, describing his vision for it as "a 1964 [[Terence Stamp]] movie".<ref name="Clement" /> It was not feasible to literally translate [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]'s iconic artwork of the character to the screen, and Hawley wanted the series to have "its own visual aesthetic to it, and part of that is being a story kind of out of time and out of place". He stated that "the design of a show has to have its own internal logic", and compared this sensibility to the series ''[[Hannibal (TV series)|Hannibal]]'', which he said was "a great example of something that had this almost fetishistic beauty to everything that you saw, whether it was food or violence."<ref name="HawleyIGN" /> Hawley elaborated that the design choice of 60s British films came about because "this whole show is not the world, it’s David’s {{em|experience}} of the world. He’s piecing his world together from nostalgia and memory and the world becomes that."<ref name="EWJan2017" /> |
Hawley wanted the series to be highly stylized, describing his vision for it as "a 1964 [[Terence Stamp]] movie".<ref name="Clement" /> It was not feasible to literally translate [[Bill Sienkiewicz]]'s iconic artwork of the character to the screen, and Hawley wanted the series to have "its own visual aesthetic to it, and part of that is being a story kind of out of time and out of place". He stated that "the design of a show has to have its own internal logic", and compared this sensibility to the series ''[[Hannibal (TV series)|Hannibal]]'', which he said was "a great example of something that had this almost fetishistic beauty to everything that you saw, whether it was food or violence."<ref name="HawleyIGN" /> Hawley elaborated that the design choice of 60s British films came about because "this whole show is not the world, it’s David’s {{em|experience}} of the world. He’s piecing his world together from nostalgia and memory and the world becomes that."<ref name="EWJan2017" /> |
||
Production designer Michael Wylie, who had previously worked on Marvel Television's ''[[Agent Carter (TV series)|Agent Carter]]'', found designing for ''Legion'' to have much more flexibility than other series, noting that "a lot of times in TV shows, things have to be in continuity", but not so much for ''Legion''.<ref name="GlobeAndMailDesign" /> To try avoid dating the series, elements such as cars are rarely shown,<ref name="EWJan2017" /> and when they are seen there is a mixture of modern-day cars and vehicles from the 60s. Clothing is also a mixture of present-day and past fashions, emulating a prediction of the future from the 60s or 70s. Wylie explained that "story is being told from an unreliable narrator so we can do whatever we want." Visual inspiration was taken from the works of [[Stanley |
Production designer Michael Wylie, who had previously worked on Marvel Television's ''[[Agent Carter (TV series)|Agent Carter]]'', found designing for ''Legion'' to have much more flexibility than other series, noting that "a lot of times in TV shows, things have to be in continuity", but not so much for ''Legion''.<ref name="GlobeAndMailDesign" /> To try avoid dating the series, elements such as cars are rarely shown,<ref name="EWJan2017" /> and when they are seen there is a mixture of modern-day cars and vehicles from the 60s. Clothing is also a mixture of present-day and past fashions, emulating a prediction of the future from the 60s or 70s. Wylie explained that "story is being told from an unreliable narrator so we can do whatever we want." Visual inspiration was taken from the works of [[Stanley Kubrick]], including ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]'' and ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.<ref name="GlobeAndMailDesign" /> Several props from the ''X-Men'' films were brought to Vancouver for use in the series, from storage in the US and [[Montreal]], where the films are produced. Wylie said he was free to use these as he wished: "You don’t have to follow any rules. If you come up with something, you can do something because you think it’s cool, or that it’s pretty or it manipulates somebody."<ref name="GlobeAndMailDesign" /> |
||
===Filming=== |
===Filming=== |
Revision as of 13:34, 10 February 2017
Legion | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Genre | |
Created by | Noah Hawley |
Based on | |
Starring | |
Composer | Jeff Russo |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 1 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer | Brian Leslie Parker |
Production locations | |
Cinematography | Dana Gonzales |
Running time | 68 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | FX |
Release | February 8, 2017 present | –
Legion is an American cable television series created for FX by Noah Hawley, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It is connected to the X-Men film series, the first television series to do so, and is produced by FX Productions in association with Marvel Television, The Donners' Company, Bad Hat Harry Productions, Kinberg Genre, and 26 Keys Productions. Hawley serves as showrunner on the series.
Dan Stevens stars as David Haller, a mutant diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age. Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Bill Irwin, Jeremie Harris, Amber Midthunder, Katie Aselton, and Jean Smart also star. In October 2015, FX and Marvel Television announced a new collaboration to create a television series based on the X-Men character Legion, with Hawley signed on to write and direct the pilot. Casting began by January 2016, and the pilot was completed by May. The show was then picked up to series. Filming takes place in Vancouver, and on sets built in Burnaby. Hawley wanted to show Haller as an "unreliable narrator", including mixing 1960s design with modern-day elements, and filming the series through the title character's distorted view of reality.
Legion premiered at the Pacific Design Center on January 26, 2017, ahead of its FX debut on February 8. The first season consists of eight episodes.
Premise
David Haller was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age, and has been a patient in various psychiatric hospitals since. After Haller has an encounter with a fellow psychiatric patient, he is confronted with the possibility that there may be more to him than mental illness.[1]
Cast and characters
Main
- Dan Stevens as David Haller: The mutant son of Charles Xavier, Haller was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age and meets the "girl of his dreams" in a psychiatric hospital.[2][3] The character has several psychic abilities, including telepathy and telekinesis.[4] Stevens joined the series because of showrunner Noah Hawley's involvement, and after exploring the source material.[3] Casting Stevens alleviated Hawley's concerns about focusing the series on Haller's internal issues, as "he’s very vulnerable and also very strong" and can be endearing to the audience.[4] Hawley created a 160-track playlist to help Stevens understand Haller’s mindset, which included "everything from experimental French sound design, people screaming into bins and such, to Pink Floyd and everything in between."[5] Stevens also did extensive research on mental health to prepare for the role, talking to both sufferers and doctors. He felt this allowed him to "really [take] on board" the "vividness of the reality", and said that there are "different ways of perceiving crazy people ... it's such a misunderstood condition."[6] Hawley and other cast members kept secrets from Stevens about the character and plot so that the actor could identify with Haller's confusion about reality.[7]
- Rachel Keller as Sydney "Syd" Barrett: A "self-sufficient and street smart" young woman who "still believes in happily ever after", who becomes Haller's "girlfriend".[2][3] Hawley explained, "If she touches your skin she trades places with you, her mind goes into your body and the other way around."[4] Because of her abilities, the character is portrayed as "withdrawn", the opposite of Keller's breakout performance in the second season of Hawley's Fargo.[8] The character is named after Roger "Syd" Barrett of the rock band Pink Floyd, whose music was an important influence on the series for Hawley.[9]
- Aubrey Plaza as Lenny "Cornflakes" Busker: Haller's friend who is an "impossible optimist" despite a history of drug and alcohol abuse and a rough demeanor.[2][3] The character was originally written for a middle aged man, until Hawley met Plaza and rethought the character. However, Plaza insisted that the character's dialogue not be changed for her, instead choosing to play the character as both male and female. This lead to Busker "making crass remarks about women and muttering vintage phrases". Plaza's performance, which she described as kind of "unisex, androgynous", was inspired by David Bowie. While preparing for the role, Plaza decided that Busker's hands would be covered with small henna tatoos, which had to be applied every day before filming.[10]
- Bill Irwin as Cary Loudermilk: A "geeky scientist",[11][3][12] one of therapist Bird's specialists.[13] Hawley sought out Irwin for his "playful approach to characters",[3] but was looking to cast the actor before the character's role had been written. Hawley "had to pitch him the weird, crazy character dynamic and that the show is about memory and identity", and Irwin agreed to join the project.[14]
- Jeremie Harris as Ptonomy Wallace: A former child prodigy who is "stand-offish and sardonic",[15][3] one of therapist Bird's specialists.[13] A "memory artist", Ptonomy "remembers everything, and has the ability to take people back into their own memories".[4]
- Amber Midthunder as Kerry Loudermilk: A savant with a "childlike sense of wonder",[16][3] one of therapist Bird's specialists.[13]
- Katie Aselton as Amy Haller: David's older sister, who tries to remain positive despite his history of mental illness.[17][3] Hawley said that she defined herself as normal "against her brother. She finds herself being looked at as if she might be crazy, as well."[12]
- Jean Smart as Melanie Bird: A demanding psychiatric therapist who uses "unconventional" methods.[2][13] Smart joined the series immediately when asked by Hawley, despite knowing nothing of the show and its source material, due to her previous Emmy-nominated work with Hawley on Fargo.[18]
Recurring
- David Selby[19]
- Jemaine Clement as Bird's husband,[20][6] who has spent the last 20 years on the astral plane.[14]
Guest
- Hamish Linklater as the Interrogator[12]
Hawley said in October 2016 that Xavier, who is portrayed in the X-Men films by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy at different ages, would "probably" be appearing in the series.[12] In January 2017, producer Lauren Shuler Donner said that the series would definitely "touch on" Haller's connection to Xavier, but that neither Stewart nor McAvoy would be portraying the latter character in the series.[8] Hawley clarified that there were no plans for the character to appear in the first season, and that the reason a film actor was unlikely to reprise the role in the series at some point was, "You’d have to pay those guys so much money ... movie money in a different medium."[21]
Episodes
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Chapter 1" | Noah Hawley | Noah Hawley | February 8, 2017 | XLN01001 | 1.62[22] |
David Haller is being interrogated by government officials who believe he may be the most powerful mutant discovered. He explains that he was diagnosed as schizophrenic when he was young, and was taken to Clockworks Psychiatric Hospital after attempting to commit suicide. He spent six years as a patient there, during which time he met Sydney "Syd" Barrett, a girl who refused to be touched. She agreed to be his girlfriend, but was eventually discharged from the hospital. Before she left, Haller kissed her goodbye, causing their minds to switch bodies. Losing control, Syd unleashed abilities from Haller's body that killed his friend Lenny Busker and trapped the other patients in their rooms. Haller was evacuated in Syd's body. Later, Haller's body returned to him, and he went looking for Syd. Haller found himself being chased by two people until he was captured by the government. Now those two people, Ptonomy Wallace and Kerry Loudermilk, break into the government facility with Syd to rescue Haller and take him to Melanie Bird. | ||||||
2 | "Chapter 2"[23] | Michael Uppendahl | Noah Hawley | February 15, 2017 | TBA | N/A |
3 | "Chapter 3"[24] | Michael Uppendahl | Peter Calloway | February 22, 2017 | TBA | N/A |
4 | "Chapter 4"[25] | Larysa Kondracki | Nathaniel Halpern | March 1, 2017 | TBA | N/A |
5 | "Chapter 5"[26] | Tim Mielants | Peter Calloway | March 8, 2017 | TBA | N/A |
Production
Development
After he completed work on the first season of his series Fargo at FX in 2014, Noah Hawley was presented with the opportunity to develop the first live-action television series based on the X-Men comics, of which Hawley was a fan while growing up.[27] Hawley was initially pitched two different ideas for potential series,[8] including a series based on the comics' Hellfire Club, but the ideas did not interest Hawley. Instead, he worked with Simon Kinberg, a writer and producer of the X-Men film series, to reverse-engineer an idea for the series. After discussing an "interesting show in this genre ... that isn't being done", the two settled on the character of David Haller / Legion. Hawley found the character interesting because of his mental illness, and for the potential of the series to depict his unique mindset.[27] He pitched the series to the producers as "a deconstruction of a villain ... and a love story".[8]
In October 2015, FX ordered a pilot for Legion, with Marvel Television and FX Productions producing; FX Productions would handle the physical production. Hawley was set to write the pilot, and executive produce the series alongside X-Men film producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, and Kinberg, Marvel Television executives Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory, and Hawley's Fargo collaborator John Cameron.[1] Steve Blackman, Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, and Karim Zreik also executive produce.[28] Hawley's initial script for the series was described as "less fractured", "cohesive [and] much more regular." However, he quickly reconceived the series "and decided more Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Terrence Malick, more whimsy, more impressionistic and went in that direction."[8] By January 2016, FX President John Landgraf was confident that the series would be picked up by the network, probably for ten episodes, saying that "the vast majority of things that we pilot do go forward to series" and "the scripts [for Legion] are extraordinary."[29] That May, FX ordered an eight-episode first season of Legion.[11] Later, in June, Landgraf explained that only eight episodes were ordered, instead of ten, because FX wanted Hawley to run the series at his own pace rather than try and "pad" it out. Landgraf also said that the series, if successful, could run for as many seasons as Hawley feels it needs to tell the story.[30]
Singer explained the executive producers' roles in the series in January 2017, saying that he, Donner, and Kinberg brought their experience from making the X-Men films, but their involvement generally consisted of just giving small notes on scripts and early cuts of episodes. Singer called Hawley "a brilliant writer, great director, quite a visualist", and said that he was comfortable leaving the series for Hawley to create as he saw fit.[31] Discussing future seasons, Hawley said he was open to continuing the story past the first season, but didn't want the audience to get to the end of the first run and have "no resolution of any kind at the end of it." Star Dan Stevens said, "I know for a fact that there are more issues that David has to deal with than the one that we really address in the first season."[6]
Writing
Kinberg teased in November 2015 that the series would tell "X-Men stories in a slightly different way and even with a slightly different tone" from the films, noting the differences in tone between the "operatic" X-Men films and the "irreverent and hysterical" Deadpool, and feeling that Legion gives "us an opportunity to go even further ... in some ways to sort of blow up the paradigm of comic book or superhero stories and almost do our Breaking Bad of superhero stories."[32] In January 2016, Landgraf said that the pilot and several further episodes had been written, and the series "might be [set] a few years in the past".[29] Loeb noted that "the core" of all X-Men comic books has always been that "the X-Men were different ... We live in a world right now where diversity and uniqueness and whether or not we fit in is something that's on our minds twenty-four hours a day. The X-Men have never been more relevant than they are right now." Hawley added, "The great thing about exploring this character is before he has an opinion about anyone else, he has to figure out his own shit. That's what we all have to do. This journey isn't necessarily racing toward a battle with an entity, so much as embracing the battle within."[3]
In May 2016, Hawley described his take on the series as being inspired by the works of David Lynch, and said that "the structure of a story should reflect the content of the story. If the story, as in this case, is about a guy who is either schizophrenic or he has these abilities, i.e., he doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not real, then the audience should have the same experience ... my goal with this is to do something whimsical and imaginative and unexpected. Not just because I want to do something different, but because it feels like the right way to tell this story."[33] Elaborating on structuring the series to reflect Haller's point of view, Hawley said, "I love the idea that even when you're in it on the journey, there is this Alice in Wonderland quality to it, of a story within a story." Hawley deliberately chose not to directly adapt any storylines from the comics, feeling that "you're bound to offend somebody, no matter what you do" in that situation. Instead, he wanted to take the character of Legion and basic set-up around him, and "play" with that,[27] which he described in relation to Fargo—"my job was not to remake the movie, to sort of retell a story that had already been told, but to try to tell a different story with the same effect, the same impact."[34]
Concerning the mental illness aspects of the character, Hawley said, "It’s a tragic condition that people have, and so I don’t want to use it for entertainment purposes ... once upon a time he was a little boy who had his whole life ahead of him, and then he began to hear voices and to see things, and ended up institutionalized, and there’s a tragedy, a tragic nature to that. So if we can ground that for the audience, then the idea that he’s fallen in love and that he’s not ill, there’s a hope to that that the audience is gonna grab onto."[34] In January 2017, Hawley explained that he was willing to use different tropes from the superhero genre in the series, such as superhero costumes with capes, if necessary, but did want to avoid "sending a message that all conflict can only be resolved through battle. There is a sense in a lot of these stories that everything always builds to a big fight ... I wanted to find a story that was just as exciting and interesting but doesn’t send the message that in the end that 'might makes right'."[4] Hawley aimed to have the world "fully realized and filled out" during the first episode, so that the second episode could explore Haller in a different way to how he is introduced in the pilot.[14]
Casting
In January 2016, Rachel Keller was cast as the female lead of the series, after her breakout role in Fargo.[35] In early February, Stevens, Aubrey Plaza, and Jean Smart were cast as Haller, his friend Lenny Busker, and therapist Melanie Bird, respectively. Keller's role was revealed to be Syd Barrett.[2][3][13] Later that month, Jeremie Harris was cast in the regular role of Ptonomy Wallace,[15] and Amber Midthunder was cast as the savant Kerry Loudermilk.[16][3] In March, Katie Aselton was cast as Haller's older sister Amy.[17] With the full series order in May 2016, Bill Irwin was added to the cast,[11] in the role of Cary Loudermilk.[3] Hawley announced in October 2016 that Jemaine Clement would be joining the series in what was described as "a multi-episode arc",[20] later revealed to be portraying Bird's husband.[14] David Selby also has a recurring role.[19]
Design
Hawley wanted the series to be highly stylized, describing his vision for it as "a 1964 Terence Stamp movie".[20] It was not feasible to literally translate Bill Sienkiewicz's iconic artwork of the character to the screen, and Hawley wanted the series to have "its own visual aesthetic to it, and part of that is being a story kind of out of time and out of place". He stated that "the design of a show has to have its own internal logic", and compared this sensibility to the series Hannibal, which he said was "a great example of something that had this almost fetishistic beauty to everything that you saw, whether it was food or violence."[34] Hawley elaborated that the design choice of 60s British films came about because "this whole show is not the world, it’s David’s experience of the world. He’s piecing his world together from nostalgia and memory and the world becomes that."[4]
Production designer Michael Wylie, who had previously worked on Marvel Television's Agent Carter, found designing for Legion to have much more flexibility than other series, noting that "a lot of times in TV shows, things have to be in continuity", but not so much for Legion.[18] To try avoid dating the series, elements such as cars are rarely shown,[4] and when they are seen there is a mixture of modern-day cars and vehicles from the 60s. Clothing is also a mixture of present-day and past fashions, emulating a prediction of the future from the 60s or 70s. Wylie explained that "story is being told from an unreliable narrator so we can do whatever we want." Visual inspiration was taken from the works of Stanley Kubrick, including A Clockwork Orange and 2001: A Space Odyssey.[18] Several props from the X-Men films were brought to Vancouver for use in the series, from storage in the US and Montreal, where the films are produced. Wylie said he was free to use these as he wished: "You don’t have to follow any rules. If you come up with something, you can do something because you think it’s cool, or that it’s pretty or it manipulates somebody."[18]
Filming
Kinberg predicted in November 2015 that production on the pilot would start early the next year,[32] and Landgraf revealed in January 2016 that construction on sets had already begun.[29] A month later, filming for the pilot was set to begin in March,[15] in Vancouver,[36] with Hawley directing and Dana Gonzales serving as cinematographer.[33][37] The episode was shot over 21 days, and featured a large amount of in-camera effects rather than just CGI. For instance, Hawley said that one day of filming was "upside-down day, so you're not just setting up a camera with two people talking. We're trying to tell the story with the camera and the visuals ... we're ambitious."[14]
With the series order, the rest of the first season were set to start filming in August 2016, also in Vancouver.[11][38] Hawley admitted that it would be a challenge for the series' directors to maintain the quality of visuals and effects with much less time to film each episode than was allocated for the pilot.[14] On filming in Vancouver, Hawley noted that many US television series are filmed there, and it "offers an amazing array of looks and feels and, obviously, a great crew base and everything." Sets for the series were constructed in a former supermarket warehouse in Burnaby, just southeast of Vancouver, including a "23,000-square-foot set" for the corridors and "vast day room" of the Clockworks Mental Hospital. Wylie called this the most complicated set, and felt "trying to make a hospital feel fun is a perfect challenge." Exteriors for the building were shot at the University of British Columbia "where they have a lot of that sixties and seventies brutalist architecture" that is often seen in government and institutional buildings.[18]
Music
Jeff Russo was revealed to be composing the series' score in October 2016.[9] After screening scenes from the pilot featuring The Who's "Happy Jack" and The Rolling Stones' "She's a Rainbow", Hawley stated that when first meeting with Russo about the series, he told the latter that he wanted the series to sound like Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, explaining "that album more than anything is really the soundscape of mental illness to some degree".[20][9] Russo felt that "the important part is allowing the humanity of these characters to really shine through", and in addition to an orchestra he used "a bunch of old synthesizers" and "a lot of interesting sound design" to represent the "otherworldly" elements of the series.[39]
Shared universe connections
Landgraf stated, in January 2016, that the series would be set in a universe parallel to the X-Men films where "the US government is in the early days of being aware that something called mutants exist but the public is not". He felt it was unlikely that characters would cross over between the show and films, but noted that this could change between then and the premiere of the series.[29] That July, an article on Marvel.com referred to Legion as one of several characters joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), suggesting that Legion would be set in that shared universe like Marvel Television's other series.[40] The next month, Singer said that Legion had actually been designed to fit into the X-Men universe, but also to stand alone, so "you wouldn't have to label" the relationship between the series and the films. He teased plans to have the series "relate to future X-Men movies".[41]
At New York Comic-Con 2016, Donner said that the series is "far from the X-Men movies, but still lives in that universe. The only way for X-Men to keep moving forward is to be original and to surprise. And this is a surprise. It is very, very different." Hawley explained that because the series is depicting the title character's "subjective reality", it would not have to address any connections to the films straight away, noting that Fargo, which is connected to the 1996 film of the same name, at first "had to stand on its own feet" before exploring those connections more; "We have to earn the right to be part of this universe. My hope is we create something so strong that the people in the movie studio call and say they would be foolish enough not to connect these things." He did state that "you can't tell this story without" acknowledging that Legion is the son of Charles Xavier, who appears in the films. In regards to the MCU, Loeb stated that his involvement in the series was a sign that "bridges are being made" between Marvel and Fox, "but I don't want to make any promises ... Marvel heroes at their core are people who are damaged and are trying to figure out who they are in life. It doesn't matter whether or not they're X-Men, Tony Stark, Matt Murdock or Peter Parker ... If you start at a place as strong as David's character is and you have a storyteller like Noah, then it's Marvel. In that way, it is all connected."[3]
Loeb and Donner stated in January 2017 that there were no plans to have Legion be the first in a series of connected shows on FX, like Marvel Televisions's group of interconnected Defenders series on Netflix,[42] and that Legion and the X-Men series being developed for Fox are "not going to get in each other's way."[8] Donner stated that the series was just a chance to bring an X-Men character to the screen who was not going to be used by the films. The producers hoped that audiences would watch the show because of its character-focus and the talents of Hawley and the cast, rather than to "see a Marvel franchise show."[42] Donner also noted that having Hawley focus on Haller's perspective of reality rather than connections to the X-Men films allowed the series to avoid the convoluted continuity of the films, "because we play with so many different timelines, and we rebooted and not really rebooted and all that" throughout the films. Therefore, "the cinematic universe will not worry about Legion. They will not worry about these TV worlds at all. They will just continue in the way that they have been continuing."[8]
Release
Broadcast
Legion premiered on FX on February 8, 2017.[13] In January 2016, Landgraf had said that he anticipated the series "would go on air" later that year,[29] but that May, FX announced that the series would actually debut in early 2017.[11] The next month, Marvel announced that Fox channels in over 125 countries had picked up their respective airing rights for the series, and that it would be aired using a "day-and-date" delivery system so that viewers around the world get the series on the same day. Fox Networks Group's sales division would also handle distribution of the series to third parties.[43]
Marketing
At San Diego Comic-Con 2016, Marvel's Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada debuted the first trailer for Legion at his "Cup O'Joe" panel.[44] Response to the trailer was positive, particularly its unique tone and visuals. Jacob Kastrenakes of The Verge described the trailer as eclectic, while Daniel Kreps of Rolling Stone called it manic.[45][46] Kelly West at Cinema Blend called the trailer "all kinds of weird... in a good way", and positively compared it to a mix of Fight Club, Mr. Robot, and The Matrix.[47] At New York Comic-Con later that year, the series held its own panel. Hawley, Loeb, Donner, and the series' main cast members were present to promote the series and screen the first half of the pilot episode.[3] In response to the footage, Deadline.com's Dominic Patten said "we know three things for sure about Legion, it looks great, has top notch pacing and a killer choice of music."[20] Nick Romano, recapping the panel for Entertainment Weekly, called the footage "just as chaotic as the mind of David Haller" and "almost Kubrickian in nature". "Based on what was screened," Romano added, "Legion already seems to have an erratic, hallucinatory tone and style that we’ve never seen before from a superhero TV series."[12]
The series premiered at a red carpet event on January 26, 2017, in West Hollywood's Pacific Design Center. It was received enthusiastically by the audience, including Legion creator Bill Sienkiewicz.[48] This was followed by an "immersive art exhibit" beginning the next day, named Legion Where?House. Running for three days in a Williamsburg warehouse, the free-to-the-public exhibit features unique artwork from Michael Murphy, Clemens Behr, Kumi Yamashita, and David Flores that looks to "challenge audiences’ minds":[49][50] Murphy's sculpture, Suspension of Disbelief, features "hundreds of colorful utilitarian objects" hung from the ceiling that, when looked at from a specific spot, form the word "Legion"; Behr's installation, Doors, is "the corridor of a hospital that’s been blown apart", allowing visitors to walk "between fragments of rooms and doorways strewn with mirror fragments"; Yamashita created Lovers, silhouettes of David Haller and Syd Barrett that are separated by "thin pieces of board, preventing the figures from clasping hands", which "greets visitors at the show’s entrance"; and Flores' mural Legion, "being used as the key art for the show, depicts a fiery explosion emanating from David’s mind."[50] Limited edition posters inspired by this artwork will be made available at 56 comic book stores across the US. The exhibit also includes a multimedia installation inspired by the series.[49]
Additionally, five augmented reality (AR) murals were displayed as promotion for the series, one each in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Fransisco. Visitors to these sites could use the Blippar AR app to make the artwork "come to life", displaying "the power of David Haller’s mind".[49] In London, the Century Club will host a cocktail bar on February 8 named The Mutant Lounge. Taking place over two, two-hour sessions, the event will be staffed by "mutants with superpowers", will be decorated to "recreate the world depicted in the series", and will be serving themed cocktails and canapes. Visitors will be able to watch the series' premiere before its debut in the UK, and "will also be treated to a number of surprises throughout the evening, with the aim of demonstrating that not everything is as it seems."[51]
Reception
Ratings
No. | Title | Air date | Rating/share (18–49) |
Viewers (millions) |
DVR (18–49) |
DVR viewers (millions) |
Total (18–49) |
Total viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Chapter 1" | February 8, 2017 | 0.7 | 1.62[22] | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
2 | "Chapter 2" | February 15, 2017 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
3 | "Chapter 3" | February 22, 2017 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
4 | "Chapter 4" | March 1, 2017 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
5 | "Chapter 5" | March 8, 2017 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Writing for Screen Rant, J.M. Brandt noted that FX extensively advertised the series, but was debuting the 90 minute (with commercials) premiere at 10pm on a Wednesday night, later than other genre "monster hits" like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. Brandt felt that the series' success would heavily depend on DVR viewing "to bolster what might be a likely smallish live audience".[52] Following the series premiere, Legion's debut ratings were described as "OK, not great", in line with other cable series debuts, but lower than other high-profile FX debuts such as American Crime Story and Hawley's own Fargo.[53]
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 93% approval rating with an average rating of 8.44/10 based on 60 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Bold, intelligent, and visually arresting, Legion is a masterfully surreal and brilliantly daring departure from traditional superhero conceits."[54] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 82 out of 100 based on 40 critics, indicating what the website considers to be "universal acclaim".[55]
References
- ^ a b "FX Networks Orders Pilot for 'Legion'". Marvel.com. October 14, 2014. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "Dan Stevens, Aubrey Plaza & Jean Smart Cast in FX Networks' Pilot for 'Legion'". Marvel.com. February 4, 2016. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Wigler, Josh (October 9, 2016). "'Legion' Premiere Previewed at NYCC: A Look Inside FX's Upcoming 'X-Men' Series". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Hibberd, James (January 10, 2017). "Legion a 'dramatic departure' for Marvel and X-Men". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Holloway, Daniel (January 24, 2017). "'Legion': Creator Noah Hawley on Taking FX Series Beyond X-Men". Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Eley, Julie (January 28, 2017). "Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens returns to TV in Marvel's Legion". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Robinson, Joana (January 16, 2017). "The Cast of Legion Lied to Star Dan Stevens to Make the Show Better". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g Schwartz, Terri (January 16, 2017). "Legion: X-Men Producer on How Professor X Fits in and Future TV Plans". IGN. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Desta, Yohana (October 9, 2016). "The Surprising Connection Between Marvel's Legion and Pink Floyd". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Desta, Yohana (February 8, 2017). "How David Bowie Inspired Aubrey Plaza's Gender-Bending Legion Character". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on February 8, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "FX Networks Picks Up 'Legion' to Series". Marvel.com. May 31, 2016. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Romano, Nick (October 9, 2016). "Why FX's Legion is the Fargo of superhero TV". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f Strom, Marc (December 5, 2016). "The highly-anticipated new drama to premiere in February!". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f Bennett, Tara (January 12, 2017). "Legion aims to be a Marvel show completely different from the pack". SyFyWire. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Goldberg, Leslie (February 18, 2016). "FX's 'X-Men' Drama 'Legion' Adds to Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (February 22, 2016). "'Legion' FX Pilot Casts Amber Midthunder". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Dornbush, Jonathon (March 1, 2016). "The League star Katie Aselton cast in FX's Legion". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Bailey, Ian (January 17, 2017). "Why the production designer of new TV series Legion has a dream job". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Selby, David (February 3, 2017). "Legion". The Official David Selby Blog. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Patten, Dominic (October 9, 2016). "'Legion' Adds Jemaine Clement To FX Marvel Series – NY Comic-Con". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Holloway, Daniel (January 24, 2017). "'Legion' Has to Prove Itself Before Potential X-Men Crossovers, Says Creator Noah Hawley". Variety. Archived from the original on January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Welch, Alex (February 9, 2017). "Wednesday cable ratings: 'Legion' premiere brings in strong numbers, 'The Magicians' holds steady". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "(#102) "Chapter 2"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- ^ "(#103) "Chapter 3"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "(#104) "Chapter 4"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
- ^ "(#105) "Chapter 5"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ a b c Sepinwell, Alan (June 1, 2016). "'Fargo' boss on Ewan McGregor in season 3, 'X-Men' spin-off 'Legion,' and his new hit novel". HitFix. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Ryan, Maureen (February 1, 2017). "TV Review: 'Legion' on FX, Starring Dan Stevens". Variety. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Schwartz, Terri (January 16, 2016). "FX'S Legion Anticipated to Debut in 2016; Series Not Set in X-Men Film Universe". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Patten, Dominic (June 4, 2016). "John Landgraf Talks 'Legion' On FX & Changing Marketplace; Slams Silicon Valley – Produced By". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Bryan Singer On Directing Fox's Upcoming 'X-Men' Pilot & Producing FX's 'Legion'. Access Hollywood. January 27, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
- ^ a b Chitwood, Adam (November 17, 2015). "Simon Kinberg Says the 'Legion' TV Series Will Be the "'Breaking Bad' of Superhero Stories"". Collider.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Robinson, Joanna (May 27, 2016). "Why Everyone Wants a Piece of Noah Hawley". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Goldman, Eric (August 29, 2016). "Legion: Noah Hawley on His Surreal Approach and Casting Dan Stevens for the Marvel Adaptation". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 5, 2016). "'Legion': FX Marvel Pilot Casts 'Fargo's Rachel Keller As Female Lead". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "TV pilot shoots in Vancouver grew nearly 70% since last year". Daily Hive. August 4, 2016. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Giardina, Carolyn (July 8, 2016). "Emmys: Why 'Gotham's' Penguin Is a Favorite Among the Series' Cinematographers". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Maslow, Nick (June 10, 2016). "Legion: Noah Hawley reveals why he chose TV over film for Marvel adaptation". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Newman, Melinda (June 22, 2016). "Tonic's Jeff Russo on Scoring 'American Gothic,' 'Fargo' & Marvel's 'Legion,' Plus the 20th Anniversary of 'Lemon Parade'". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Lovett, Jamie (July 31, 2016). "X-Men's Legion Seemingly Confirmed As Part Of Marvel Cinematic Universe". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Szalai, Georg (August 25, 2016). "Bryan Singer, Peter Rice Talk FX's 'Legion,' Start of 'X-Men' Movie Franchise". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Keene, Allison (January 12, 2017). "'Legion' Cast and Creators on X-Men Connections and If It Will Start an FX Marvel Franchise". Collider.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Morse, Ben (June 8, 2015). "'Legion' Goes Global". Marvel.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Osborn, Alex (July 23, 2016). "Comic-Con 2016: Debut Trailer for X-MEN TV Show Legion Released". IGN. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Kastrenakes, Jacob (July 23, 2016). "Watch the first trailer for FX's X-Men series, Legion". The Verge. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Kreps, Daniel (July 24, 2016). "Watch Manic First Trailer for FX's 'X-Men' Spinoff 'Legion'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ West, Kelly. "Legion Trailer: FX's Superhero Show Could Be Marvel's Weirdest Yet". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Levy, Dani (January 27, 2017). "Noah Hawley on His X-Men Show 'Legion': 'It Feels More Like Real Life to Me'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c Schultz, Cody (January 24, 2017). "FX Launches 'Legion' Limited Art-Inspired Initiative Ahead of Premiere". Fansided. Hidden Remote. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Martinez, Alanna (January 27, 2017). "The Next Big Thing in TV: Immersive Fan Experiences". Observer. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Benjamin, Kim (January 24, 2017). "Fox to host 'Mutant Lounge' for launch of Legion". Event. Archived from the original on January 28, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Brandt, J.M. (February 9, 2017). "Legion: 15 Things We Learned From The Premiere". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 9, 2017). "'Legion' Off To So-So Ratings Start At FX". Deadline.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Legion: Season 1 (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ "Legion : Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
External links
- FX network shows
- 2010s American television series
- 2017 American television series debuts
- Superhero television programs
- Television programs based on Marvel Comics
- Television programs based on films
- English-language television programming
- Marvel Television series
- X-Men television series
- Fictional portrayals of schizophrenia