Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

As a long-time Netflix subscriber and avid fan of both political thrillers and video game adaptations, I must say that it’s quite disheartening to see so many promising projects stuck in production limbo. The case of ‘White Stork,’ or as it’s mysteriously titled on Netflix as ‘Spadehead,’ is particularly intriguing. It’s been years since we’ve heard any updates, and the fact that its title page still exists could mean either hope or despair for this series.


Tom Hiddleston is currently one of the most renowned figures in Hollywood, particularly recognized for his portrayal of Loki. Although he’s not a superhero himself within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he stands out as one of its most prominent stars. Currently, Hiddleston spearheads the Disney+ series “Loki,” which has been widely acclaimed since 2019’s “Endgame” among MCU projects. He has also graced notable productions like “Midnight in Paris,” “War Horse,” “Crimson Peak,” and “Kong: Skull Island.

To bring about some change, the actor made an arrangement with Netflix to feature in a fresh series titled “White Stork”. However, it’s unfortunate that due to multiple setbacks, the project appears to be stalled or perhaps trapped in developmental purgatory – also known as developmental hell.

Tom Hiddleston Is Set to Play an Ambitious Politician

Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in LimboWhy Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in LimboWhy Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

White Stork is a political thriller about James Cooper, a driven British politician on the verge of securing a seat in Parliament. He finds himself working with Asher Millan, an expert in vetting high-profile political candidates. However, Millan unearths skeletons from Cooper’s past that could potentially damage powerful figures and endanger his election bid — or perhaps even his life.

Presently, Tom Hiddleston is the sole cast member officially attached to the production of “White Stork,” where he will portray the lead character James Cooper. There have been whispers online suggesting that Claire Foy, famously known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix’s “The Crown” during its first two seasons, has received an offer to play Asher Millan. However, no official confirmation regarding her involvement has been made public at this time.

White Stork Has Been in Development Since 2017

Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in LimboWhy Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

The TV series titled “White Stork,” formerly known as “Spadehead,” has been in the works since 2017. Initially, it was being developed at AMC, but for unexplained reasons, progress halted there for three years. In 2020, Netflix acquired the show and officially greenlit its production. Now known as “White Stork,” this series was conceived by Chris Dunlop, who is credited on IMDb for penning nine episodes of the program.

As a discerning film critic, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming series, “White Stork,” which shares the same creative minds behind the acclaimed Netflix show, “Sex Education.” Known for their knack for compelling storytelling, they’ve recruited Kristoffer Nyholm, a talented Danish director who brought several episodes of the first season of “Taboo” starring Tom Hardy to life.

The Pandemic Brought Production to a Halt

Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

As expected, the global pandemic in 2020 brought a halt to the filming of White Stork, much like other TV shows and films. However, many of these productions have since either resumed or wrapped up. Interestingly, despite receiving approval from Netflix, the series White Stork has yet to begin filming. Its start date was initially set for January 2021, then moved to March 2021, and now it seems there are no plans for it to start at all. Netflix has been silent about this series for quite some time now.

It appears that some team members who were previously involved no longer seem to be actively working on the show “White Stork”. For instance, Nicole Northridge, a production designer, mentioned online that the production of “White Stork” has been halted due to actor availability. This could potentially refer to Hiddleston, as he might be preoccupied with his role in “Loki” or other projects. Evidently, it seems like “White Stork” is currently experiencing a delay in its production process.

Despite some uncertainty, there remains a sliver of optimism for this political thriller. If you search for it on Netflix using its original title, Spadehead, a series title page does appear. Unfortunately, it provides minimal details, merely indicating that you’re looking at a British TV drama. Netflix hasn’t officially listed the show with its proper name.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but ponder over the fact that the title page of “White Stork” still graces our screens, even after so much time has passed. This could potentially mean that Netflix hasn’t yanked it off their platform and canceled the series just yet. Perhaps it’s slated for production, and they’re working on the finer details. On the other hand, it might suggest that “White Stork” has sunk so low in Netflix’s list of priorities that the streaming giant has either forgotten or lost interest in its existence. In such a case, the future of “White Stork,” including Tom Hiddleston’s role in it, seems to be stuck in a prolonged state of limbo.

Other Notable Netflix Projects Stuck in Limbo

Why Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in LimboWhy Tom Hiddlestons Netflix Political Thriller Is Still Stuck in Limbo

Apart from “White Stork,” another Netflix project that’s facing delays is the “BioShock” film. Announced in 2020, this movie is based on the popular video game series. Similar to “White Stork,” production was halted due to the global pandemic. Furthermore, since 2020, Dan Lin has taken over from Scott Stuber as Netflix’s head of films. Lin has shifted Netflix’s film strategy towards a more conservative approach. Consequently, “BioShock” is reportedly receiving a smaller budget but is still in production.

The movie adaptation of “Dragon’s Lair,” a live-action film derived from another popular video game series, has been stalled since 2020. Initially, Ryan Reynolds was set to star in the lead role, but there have been no recent developments on this project for years. Similarly, a “Mega Man” movie, yet another video game remake, has been under development on Netflix since 2020. The most recent information we’ve had about this film was in 2022 when its writer, Josh Koenigsberg, disclosed that he was revisiting past “Mega Man” games for research purposes.

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2024-09-19 04:31