October 25th 2024.
"It was really heartbreaking at one moment," shared the lead actor, as they reflected on the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. These days, it seems like there's a never-ending stream of TV shows being cancelled before they have a chance to find their audience. Recently, shows like Jeff Goldblum's Kaos on Netflix and Star Wars' The Acolyte on Disney Plus were both axed after just one season.
So, when a story surfaces about a show actually being saved, it's definitely a surprise. This was the case for Nautilus, a show that was initially shelved on Disney Plus even after filming had wrapped. Metro recently had the opportunity to speak with Shazad Latif, who plays Captain Nemo in this action-packed series - a retelling of Jules Verne's beloved novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas.
With the immense love for the original book and the excitement surrounding previous adaptations of this swashbuckling tale, fans were eagerly anticipating the show's debut. However, in August 2023, it was announced that the show would no longer move forward on Disney Plus. This was a "heartbreaking" moment for Shazad and sparked fears of cancellation among fans.
Though the Star Trek: Discovery actor briefly worried about the show's future, it was not the end. AMC stepped in to distribute the series in the US, while Amazon Prime Video picked it up for the UK, where it premiered today. "There's a lot of uncertainty in our industry right now, especially with the strike and companies cutting costs," Shazad, 36, shared when asked about the doubts surrounding Nautilus' release. "But I trusted in the quality of the show and knew it would eventually be seen. That's why it was quickly picked up by AMC. Sometimes, the business side can overshadow the creative side."
He continued, "Everyone is trying to cut costs, especially with the advancements in AI that we were fighting for during the strike. But I hope the story will prevail. I'm just happy that people can finally see it." Shazad is the latest actor to take on the iconic role of Captain Nemo, a character who has been portrayed by esteemed actors such as James Mason, Omar Sharif, Michael Caine, and Patrick Stewart over the years.
"It's a huge deal," Shazad expressed about joining the legacy of this role. "You really comprehend it when it's about to come out. While filming, you try not to put too much pressure on yourself and just enjoy the experience." Despite Captain Nemo's widespread recognition, Nautilus offers a fresh take on the character, diving deeper into his origin story than any previous adaptation.
"We've never seen his character like this before. He's always been a mysterious, elusive figure - the one being talked about or narrated about in the book. But we don't know the layers and complexities of him. To explore that over 10 episodes is very exciting," Shazad shared about the show's unique approach. Nautilus is currently being released in various territories one by one, with plans for it to air in more countries in the future.
"It was such a heartbreaking moment," the lead actor shared, recalling the time when the fate of their show hung in the balance. In the world of entertainment, it seems like TV shows are being cancelled left and right, sometimes even before they have a chance to gain a following.
Just recently, two highly anticipated shows, Jeff Goldblum's Kaos on Netflix and The Acolyte on Disney Plus, were axed after only one season. So when a story surfaces about a show being saved, it definitely catches our attention. This was the case for Nautilus, a show that was initially shelved on Disney Plus even though filming had already wrapped.
Metro recently had the opportunity to speak with Shazad Latif, who plays Captain Nemo in the thrilling series based on Jules Verne's classic novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas. Given the popularity of the book and the numerous retellings of the adventurous story over the years, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the show's debut.
However, things took a turn in August 2023 when it was announced that the show would no longer be moving forward on Disney Plus. This news was "heartbreaking" for Shazad and caused panic among fans who feared the show would be cancelled. Despite this initial setback, the Star Trek: Discovery actor remained optimistic and trusted in the quality of the show.
Thankfully, his faith was not in vain as AMC picked up the series for distribution in the US, while Amazon Prime Video acquired the rights for the UK where it premieres today. "I think there's a lot of uncertainty in our industry right now," Shazad explained, referring to the recent writers' strike and budget cuts, "but I knew that the quality of the show was there and I trusted that it would be seen."
He went on to say, "Sometimes, the business side of things may overshadow the creative aspect, but I am just grateful that the show has been given a chance to be seen by audiences." When asked about the possibility of Nautilus never seeing the light of day, Shazad admitted there was a concern, but fortunately, the show was being picked up by different territories one by one.
Captain Nemo is a legendary literary character, first introduced to the world in the 19th century through Verne's novels. He's been portrayed by esteemed actors such as James Mason, Omar Sharif, Michael Caine, and Patrick Stewart. Shazad is now the latest actor to take on this iconic role, one that he describes as a "huge, huge deal."
"It's definitely a lot to take in," he shared, "but it really sinks in when the show is about to be released. During the filming process, I tried not to put too much pressure on myself and just enjoy the experience." While audiences may be familiar with Captain Nemo, Shazad revealed that Nautilus offers a fresh perspective on the character by delving into his origin story in a way that has never been explored before.
"We haven't really seen his character like this before," he explained. "He's always been this enigmatic, mysterious figure, but in this series, we get to see the layers and complexities of his character. It was a very exciting opportunity to explore these depths over the course of 10 episodes."
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