How Black Mirror's USS Callister Sequel Changed Throughout Development Explained By Creator

Summary Black Mirror creator addresses the development of the "USS Callister" sequel and why he decided to make it now.

Charlie Brooker explained that he had planned on making the sequel due to the episode's ending.

Brooker previously shared that the episode has been filmed, with new and returning characters, although it's not revealed which cast member is coming back.

The road to Black Mirror season 7's "USS Callister" sequel gets a candid explanation from series creator Charlie Brooker. Debuting in 2017, as the first episode of Black Mirror season 4, the story introduces Jesse Plemons as Robert Daly. The unhappy employee of a major tech company, Daly traps his co-workers by creating sentient digital clones of them and trapping them in a game that echoes Star Trek and other sci-fi staples — until one of those co-workers decides to fight back. Written by William Bridges and Brooker, with Andor director Toby Haynes behind the camera, it's been lauded as one of Black Mirror's best episodes.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Brooker opened up about the planned "USS Callister" sequel. He mentioned that the project has been brewing for some time, partly because of how the original episode ends. The creator also spoke about how unusual it is for the sci-fi horror anthology to revisit past characters. Read his response below:

This has been brewing for actually quite a long time. And it’s partly because of the way that it ends. The first one ends like you could just carry that story on and follow where they go now. So it was always like, “Hmm, I’m going to do that.” It was something we were looking at for quite a long time. There were various iterations it went through, various version we wanted to do and were discussing on and off for several years. But there are a lot of schedules to sort out, and then the pandemic got in the way. It was something that looked like it wasn’t going to happen, and so I was delighted when it did. So, it’s been a minute. But even writing the characters is a luxury I don’t often get. I’ve never had it before on Black Mirror, to have a character that survives beyond one episode! So that’s been a lot of fun, and then seeing them all on set has been fantastic.

What Black Mirror's Creator Has Said About The USS Callister Sequel?

It Will Feature A Returning Character.

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Brooker went on to reveal that the "USS Callister" follow-up will also include new characters, and the story will continue from where the episode concluded.

Although specific plot details about the episode remain unknown so far, Brooker has confirmed that the episode will include a returning Black Mirror character. However, it's unclear if that means Cristin Milioti or Plemons will be back in their respective lead roles as Nanette Cole or the villainous Daly. It's also not yet known whether any of the high-profile supporting cast, including Jimmi Simpson, Michaela Coel, and Billy Magnussen, will return.

In his comments about the Black Mirror season 7 episode, Brooker compared the sequel to another project of his, the satirical mockumentary, Cunk On Earth. The series creator noted that the well-reviewed mockumentary originated from a different series altogether. Brooker went on to reveal that the "USS Callister" follow-up will also include new characters, and the story will continue from where the episode concluded.

Read more... Black Mirror: Kirsten Dunst’s Uncredited Cameo Explained In Black Mirror season 4, episode 1, "USS Callister," Kirsten Dunst makes a brief and uncredited cameo - here's why the actor appeared in the episode.

With cameos from Aaron Paul and Kirsten Dust, the at once playful and dark "USS Callister" is considered one of Black Mirror's standouts in terms of writing, style, and performance. There is a risk involved with revisiting the story, but it could also prove to be a worthwhile addition, expanding on the original's world and themes in unexpected ways.

Black Mirror is available to stream on Netflix.

Source: THR