Why Netflix Canceled Matthew McConaughey’s Agent Elvis

A present about Elvis as a undercover agent from “Archer” author Mike Arnold and singer-screenwriter John Eddie sounds wild sufficient to grow to be a success — or, as a minimum, a cult favourite. Sadly, “Agent Elvis” wasn’t given lengthy sufficient to grow to be both, as Netflix canceled the zany enterprise after its first season. That’s, the streamer axed the animated sequence a number of months after season 1 was made out there, which could appear odd, however 2023 was a tumultuous 12 months that claimed many a present too quickly.

The cancellation of “Agent Elvis” was maybe one of many largest disappointments, if solely as a result of the present had a lot promise and hype previous to its debut. The sequence’ trailer promised an outlandish romp that includes Matthew McConaughey as a undercover agent model of The King, whereas early footage from “Agent Elvis” equally teased a trendy animated present that /Movie’s Rafael Motamayor described as “hanging,” noting that “Elvis has by no means appeared higher.” The truth that the King’s real-life widow, Priscilla Presley, performed herself, with McConaughey voicing the titular icon, solely sweetened the deal.

What might have presumably put an finish to such a present so rapidly? Properly, the same old monetary issues performed an element, however “Agent Elvis” was additionally simply unfortunate by way of its timing.

“Agent Elvis” premiered on March 17, 2023, specializing in the King throughout his comeback interval and starting along with his 1968 Christmas particular — a legendary occasion in Elvis historical past and considered one of one of the best moments from the 2022 “Elvis” film. Quickly after, nonetheless, the present takes a flip for the purely fictional when Elvis is recruited by a mysterious authorities group generally known as TCB. He then finds himself battling nefarious forces whereas attempting to keep up his music profession in a narrative that takes him from Las Vegas to Graceland and in every single place in between.

Including to the present’s enchantment past that ridiculous premise was the spectacular solid of visitor stars and characters, which noticed Fred Armisen enjoying Charles Manson, Simon Pegg portraying Paul McCartney, and Jason Mantzoukas lending his voice to Howard Hughes. “Agent Elvis” even threw in a cameo for followers of Baz Luhrmann’s refulgent Elvin biopic.

All of that ought to have, not less than, made for an Grownup Swim-style cult success for Netflix. As an alternative, the sequence was canceled on November 15, 2023, a mere eight months after it had debuted on the streamer. Deadline reported the information, asserting that “Agent Elvis” had been axed alongside 5 different Netflix exhibits, together with “Shadow And Bone” and “Glamorous.” The primary issue right here seems to have been the Display screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild strikes, which had thrown commissioners, channels, and streamers into disarray, with the outlet reporting that Netflix selected to not renew this explicit raft of sequence every week after the SAG-AFTRA strike ended and a month and a half after the WGA strike got here to a conclusion. Each strikes had resulted in seven months of manufacturing stoppages, which was basically a demise sentence for exhibits nonetheless discovering their toes.

In accordance with Deadline, efficiency versus price performed a giant half in Netflix’s resolution to not renew a number of exhibits on the tail-end of 2023, “Agent Elvis” included. However the strikes had been an additional aspect that made issues notably troublesome, particularly for brand new sequence struggling to ascertain themselves. The WGA strike got here to a conclusion in September of 2023, with union members securing significant positive factors and protections, maybe most notably within the sphere of AI, which continues to loom over Hollywood in the present day. (Though some people, like Ben Affleck, are extremely skeptical that AI will take over motion pictures.) Then, in early November, the historic SAG-AFTRA strike additionally got here to an finish after seemingly establishing equally essential protections towards AI — although many of those have since been known as into query.

Whereas many writers and performers had been rightly celebrating their wins, a number of exhibits had been taking the brunt of the fallout. As Deadline famous, the delays in manufacturing brought on by the strikes had fully upended networks and streamers’ schedules, which evidently created a “pipeline logjam” for late 2024 and 2025. This meant that, had Netflix renewed “Agent Elvis,” viewers must anticipate for much longer than traditional for season 2 to reach. Judging by Netflix’s resolution to cancel the present, the corporate did not suppose the season 1 numbers justified making audiences wait that lengthy. Except your sequence was already well-established, then, 2023 was a tough time to debut.

“Agent Elvis” additionally wasn’t an enormous vital hit, garnering an okay 64% on Rotten Tomatoes plus a 76% Popcorn meter rating. Maybe if it had been acquired barely higher, that may have influenced Netflix’s resolution. For now, nonetheless, Elvis’ undercover agent days look like over.