In a world full of content, uniqueness is what sets one class apart from another. However, to take that leap, there must be faith in what that said content happens to be. In its quest to stay in the lead for streaming, Netflix constantly challenges and pushes its boundaries. The most recent example was One Piece. Looking to chart a similar course is Netflix’s Scott Pilgrim: Takes Off. The anime adaptation is working in reverse order to One Piece but aiming for that same, if not a grander scale of success.

Coming in as a well-rounded, polished piece of content, here is how executive producer, Edgar Wright, managed to bring back the original cast for the eight-episode spectacle.

A trustful and bankable cast is what worked wonders for Netflix and Edgar Wright

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the live-action adaptation of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s comic series, had Michael Cera as the lead in a movie that, although spectacular in every right, failed to deliver at the box office. Nonetheless, the director maintained regular email communications with the cast. Talking to Rolling Stone, director Edgar Wright revealed how one such email sent out in July 2022 with the heading, “Scott Pilgrim: To Be Continued!” was what got the entire cast on board for the Netflix project.

Now serving as a producer for Scott Pilgrim: Takes Off, Wright revealed that “And within three hours, everybody had replied.” The entire cast of the original movie, including Cera, Chris Evans, and Brie Larson, among others, agreed to return to lend their voices. The animation, now directed by Abel Góngora, stands free of the realism of live-action and has the freedom to explore every theme in all comic-accurate glory.

The comic extravaganza, which landed on Netflix today, takes its own take in standing apart from its live-action counterpart.

Here is how Scott Pilgrim: Takes Off is different from the 2010 live-action adaptation

The plot for Scott Pilgrim: Takes Off revolves around the titular character who is a bassist in an Indie band. Losing his heart to Ramona Flowers, Scott Pilgrim must take on her seven evil exes in order to win her. While this was what the live-action followed, the Netflix anime would spin one take of its own by having Scott help Ramona find closure in them rather than defeating them. Additionally, it would also deal with the theme of having to deal with emotional baggage.

In many ways, the anime is more faithful to the comics than the live-action. Additionally, it has fight sequences exactly as depicted in the comics, something which the live-action struggled with. Meanwhile, it also has video game references and 8-bit music featured here and there. In every essence, the Netflix adaptation comes close to a well-thought-out pop culture homage.

What are your thoughts on the cast returning over Wright’s email? Let us know in the comments below.