Unlike many Netflix originals, which are often prone to getting axed if they are a bit too niche for the streaming service’s liking, Steven Knight’s Peaky Blinders proved to be otherwise. Even though the show never had a massive push in terms of marketing after it was acquired by Netflix in 2014, word of mouth was enough to garner more viewers throughout its progression.
As for the upcoming Peaky Blinders movie, which is jam-packed with some of the best acting talent of our generation, Knight confessed that one of his biggest reasons behind crafting this film was the fans.
Steven Knight wants to bring the fans under one roof with the Peaky Blinders movie
Unlike other major Netflix IPs, Peaky Blinders was never exactly promoted to its fullest potential, which contributed to its slow-but-steady climb toward the charts. However, the lack of marketing push didn’t hinder its growth, as throughout the six seasons, the show kept escalating in ratings and viewership, thanks to its cult following.
Not only did writer/creator Steven Knight acknowledge the impact of the fandom’s positive word of mouth on the IP’s success, but the upcoming movie is his way of bringing the fandom together (via The Playlist).
I just wanted to do it. I mean, part of it is, and this is not obviously the prime motivation, although I could pretend it is: I really want the ‘Peaky’ fans who have been a big part of this, the way they found it… I really want them to be watching this all together in one building because the communication has all been virtual, which is fine. But I do want this to be in cinemas so that people can sit there together and watch this thing happen
Although Netflix is infamous for its distaste toward theatrical releases, given Knight’s insistence, the movie is indeed getting a theatrical window, which will aim to bring fans of the Irish mob closer.
Future of Peaky Blinders will depend on the fans
Even though season 6 was marketed as the final installment in the series, with the story of the Shelby family branching into the big screen, Knight hasn’t denounced the prospect of more potential stories in the franchise. With the film already proving to be “mind-blowingly good” in its assembly cuts, the writer/creator stressed they still have a lot more stories to tell, and at the end of the day, the future of the IP will come down to fans’ appetite.
It’s like, ‘Hey, we got plenty more [story] if we want to tell it. We can just keep going; just keep going through time. As long as there’s an appetite for it and people want it and I’ve got stories to tell, then why not?
If the ball continues to roll on more Peaky Blinders productions, Cillian Murphy‘s return would be likely. Similar to Knight, the actor is always down for more Tommy if there is a story worth telling.
Peaky Blinders is available to stream on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
