Oftentimes than not, visual arts in the form of movies and shows have impacted the wider culture and way of life. Tent-pole franchises such as Star Wars and Star Trek seeded the love for sci-fi that drives today’s comic book movies. Thereafter, movies such as James Cameron’s Titanic and Avatar have brought people together on the themes of romance and environmentalism, respectively. Furthermore, to capture vividly the evolving ethos of the world, Christopher Nolan came forth with Oppenheimer to speak of the ills of war.

Furthering this chain is Shawn Levy directing Netflix’s All the Light We Cannot See. The Deadpool 3 director’s upcoming show hinges on the horrors of World War II and its production as well as release have coincided with world-shaping events.

Shawn Levy speaks on his Netflix show and his faith in humankind

Levy’s All the Light We Cannot See narrates the story of a blind French girl and a German soldier navigating their way together in a twist of fates. The show’s shoot coincided with the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, while its forthcoming release on November 2 comes against the backdrop of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Speaking to Josh Horowitz, the director was “taken back by how timely these themes were.” Furthermore, the show’s production also involved handing out roles of extras to the Ukranian refugees.

Directing the show and having to deal with the current world events unfolding did have its toll on Levy. Labeling it as “from top to bottom just unspeakably horrific,” the Stranger Things producer found his faith in humanity shaking. “How do I not lose hope and any faith in the possibility of goodness and kindness?” While the questions surrounded him, Levy scripted the answers into his Netflix show that he hoped would showcase the real horror of wars to the wider public.

On the other side of the spectrum, apart from the humanitarian crisis underway, his two big projects are currently under the hold of the SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Deadpool 3 and Stranger Things are yet to resume filming

Shawn Levy has associated himself as a producer with the Mille Bobby Brown and Hawkins gang show since its inception. Moreover, he had recently teased a “cinematic storytelling” and upscale production for the same. Yet, months behind schedule, the show’s shooting is yet to see the light of the day. While the WGA green light allowed for some pre-production, the actors are yet to be back on set.

The director also finds himself halfway through Deadpool 3. The Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman mega-crossover spectacle might lose its summer release date schedule. Additionally, with a star-studded cast and massive fan expectations, Levy needs to put in a lot of work to pull off his first-ever Marvel project. Regardless, with the ever-burgeoning cast and rumors of the multiverse coming into play, only time shall tell how the Marvel juggernaut rolls down the way.

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