The Netflix Damsel news has been gradually teasing the upcoming fantasy movie that is among the streamer’s most exciting upcoming projects. Taking a new spin on some familiar tales, Damsel will bring Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown back to Netflix with the movie directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (28 Weeks Later) and written by Fast X co-writer Dan Mazeau. The talent behind the fantasy movie looks ready to deliver an action-packed and unique adventure with the Netflix Damsel news preparing audiences for its arrival.
Damsel marks one of several blockbusters that Netflix has on the horizon, with Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon and the Russo Brothers’ The Electric State as other big titles, the latter of which also stars Brown. The movie looks to be a play on the classic “damsel in distress” trope with Brown playing a princess who must rely on herself to defeat an angry vicious dragon. It is a fun setup with a strong cast that makes Damsel an upcoming Netflix movie to keep an eye on.
Damsel: Latest News
Unfortunately, the latest Netflix Damsel news is that they have delayed the movie, meaning subscribers won’t be able to view it as part of the 2023 lineup on the platform. The Damsel release date has been pushed back as Netflix delays multiple release dates to 2024. In total, six Netflix Original Movies meant for release in 2023 have been moved to next year. Though Damsel is the biggest project in the bunch, other delayed movies include Lift with Kevin Hart, A Family Affair with Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman, and Spaceman with Adam Sandler.
Such delays have become quite common in Hollywood recently as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes for fair pay continue on. Though Damsel was initially set for an October 2023 release, its new release date remains unclear and will likely not be set until the strikes are settled.
Damsel: Release Date
The Damsel release date was set for October 13, 2023, however, it has now been delayed until 2024. The new Millie Bobby Brown movie was first announced in March 2020 with director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo and writer Dan Mazeau signed on, and reportedly has a budget of $60-$70 million. No new release date has been announced beyond the promise of a new 2024 debut.
Damsel: Cast
The Netflix Damsel cast will be led by Millie Bobby Brown as the heroic Princess Elodie. The movie continues Brown’s strong relationship with Netflix which began with her performance as Eleven in Stranger Things. Brown also starred and produced the Netflix Enola Holmes movies and will star alongside Chris Pratt in The Electric State for the streamer. Of course, she will also return as Eleven for the upcoming Stranger Things season 5.
Mille Bobby Brown is joined in Damsel by a strong supporting cast for Damsel with Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) as Elodie’s stepmother Lady Bayford, Robin Wright (House of Cards) as Queen Isabelle, Ray Winstone (The Departed) as the King, Nick Robinson (Jurassic World) as Prince Henry, Ricky Guillart as Sir Oded, and Brooke Carter (The Peripheral) as Henry’s younger sister. Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse) also joins the cast in an undisclosed role.
Damsel: Story
The Damsel story plays on the trope of the “damsel in distress” which is common in the medieval fantasy genre. Brown plays the dutiful Elodie who becomes princess when she agrees to the request for her to marry Prince Henry. However, the treacherous royal family has other plans for her as she is trapped in a cave as a sacrifice to pay a debt to a powerful dragon. With no one coming to rescue her, Elodie must become her own brave hero and fight for survival against the fire-breathing beast.
Damsel sets up a clever and fun reversal on the typical story of a helpless princess locked away and guarded by a dragon. Even more interesting is the idea that this is a contained thriller. The medieval fantasy genre is typically reserved for grand epics, but it will be interesting to see what a small-scale and isolated story like this can do in such a world. There is also a certain similarity to the horror-comedy Ready or Not which also focuses on a bride who must fight for survival as her new in-laws attempt to sacrifice her to appease an ancient agreement.
Damsel: Trailer
The full Damsel trailer has not yet been released, but Netflix offered a first glimpse of the movie back in its “Save the Date” sizzle reel for its upcoming 2023 movies. Though Damsel is no longer releasing in 2023, the first footage remains a good teaser as it showcases Millie Bobby Brown’s Prince Elodie make the transition from victim to hero. She is first shown cowering from the fire-breathing dragon then wielding a sword and looking ready for battle. It is a very brief look at the upcoming Netflix movie, but cements Damsel as an exciting project to watch for.
