Netflix seems to go through phases in which it’ll release an incredible amount of content in a certain genre. Currently, the streaming service is going heavy on its historical themes and churning out a vast number of offerings focusing on ancient times. It was recently announced that the next legendary ruler to get a Netflix makeover will be Alexander the Great. It will be a dramatized documentary and is likely to be a hit given the notoriety of the iconic figure and the popularity of the era in the mainstream.
Streaming Service Adding to Wealth of Historical Content
For anyone wanting to soak up some historical knowledge, Netflix is arguably the best place to look. There are countless offerings on the platform now, focusing on different periods. The most recent offering was Queen Cleopatra, a docudrama that centred on one of the most famous rulers of ancient Egypt. It featured historical analysis from experts, along with dramatised depictions of the legendary queen’s life. This approach can please a wide array of viewers. The action will appeal to some people, while the facts and intricate details will appeal to others.
There are plenty of other great Netflix options for people with a thirst for historical knowledge. The Lost Pirate Kingdom gives viewers a taste of what the real-life pirates of the Caribbean were like and features many great re-enactments. There’s also Rise of Empires: Ottoman, which provides an entertaining crash course into one of the greatest civilisations in history. Some other top options include Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb, Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror. There’s clearly a huge market out there for this type of content, which is why Netflix is keen to add to it.
Alexander the Great is one of the most famous figures in history, so it’s no surprise that he’s next in line for a modern makeover on Netflix. The former King of Macedon left an enduring legacy behind, which spanned way beyond his famous military conquests. He founded numerous cities around the world, across a range of continents including Europe and Asia Minor. Across his empire of more than 5.3 million square miles, Alexander the Great also funded a great number of temples, helping to spread religion to his people.
There are few details about how Netflix is set to approach the retelling of Alexander the Great’s life yet, aside from the fact that it will be a docudrama in the same vein as Queen Cleopatra. There are rumours, though, that this will be one of the biggest-scale historical offerings made by the streaming service so far. There have been more than 100 people filming in Morocco for more than a year, and the project is being led by Tony Mitchell and Hugh Ballantyne. There will be six 45-minute episodes, meaning that it is likely to be highly detailed and extensive.
Likely to be a Huge Audience for Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great is a name that most people have heard of, and this is thanks to his enduring presence in mainstream culture. Because he had such an enormous impact on the modern world, films, books, television series, and games often pay tribute to his reign. References to the world-renowned leader date back thousands of years as well, with the Bible and the Qur’an both mentioning him.
Television has been a great platform to find a multitude of references to Alexander the Great. Along with series like The Search for Alexander the Great in 1981 that were dedicated to retelling his story, there have been numerous references to him over the years. For instance, Smallville featured the ruler’s armour, which was notably similar to how Superman’s suit would go on to look. One of the first films about Alexander the Great was the 1941 Indian offering, Sikandar. The best known, however, was the 1956 Alexander the Great, which starred Richard Burton as the military leader.
Gaming is perhaps the best place to find a wealth of content related to Alexander the Great in popular culture. He has featured in many titles over the years, most notably in Canadian developer Relic Entertainment’s Age of Empires. He was also in Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots from Big Huge Games.
Meanwhile, in the online casino industry, there are various ancient Greek-themed games with Alexander the Great at the centre. For example, Alexander the Great: World Conqueror is one of the top titles at Barz Casino, which is currently ranked four in a list of the best new online casinos Canada 2023. Evidently, Alexander the Great’s legacy lives on. Aside from avid historians who dedicate their research to this acclaimed icon, the conqueror’s likeness and reputation being used in the gaming sector has led to the interest of keen gamers.
Could this lead to more Alexander the Great content?
There is a hope that the new Netflix series could lead to more contemporary content based on Alexander the Great. Despite appearing in many games over the years, there have been few films that have focused on his story. It could be the perfect time for a new epic blockbuster about the ruler, as filmmakers now have the capability to do it justice.
The film industry may soon witness a knock-on effect from the release of Gladiator 2 next year. When Ridley Scott’s original Gladiator took the world by storm in 2000, Hollywood studios scrambled to create more content in a similar vein. This led to offerings like Troy in 2004. The sequel to Scott’s ancient Rome-themed epic has been in the pipeline for years, and there’s a lot of anticipation for it. It has the potential to outdo the $503 million that its predecessor earned at the box office.
If this happens, there could be another influx of historical themes in the Western film industry. Alexander the Great would then easily be in contention to inspire a new film.
Netflix’s new Alexander the Great offering is likely to appeal to a wide demographic of people including those who both know about the legend and those who want to learn about him for the first time. It could lead to a wealth of new content based on the iconic ruler in the years ahead.
Also read: Cast of Deadpool 3, Storyline, Release Date and Trailer