Here’s an idea to hit you like a lightning bolt: what if Jeff Goldblum was a Greek god? Frankly, it’s a pitch that’s difficult to turn down – which maybe explains why Netflix didn’t. The streaming service has upcoming drama KAOS on its slate, bringing a contemporary take on Greek mythology – and casting none other than Jurassic Park’s Ian Malcolm as Zeus, the King Of The Gods. Yes, the Chaotician is now the leader of KAOS. The series comes from The End Of The F***ing World writer Charlie Covell, and there’s a stylish first teaser that you can watch right here:
From the very first instance of Goldblum saying “mortals” in his none-more-Goldblum voice (while checking his gold watch), it’s clear that there’s mileage in this premise. Not to mention, his Zeus likes to wear striped tracksuits and open-collar shirts, while living in a mansion that a regular human gangster would love to own. But while he’s commanding people to “honour me”, the show looks set to follow Zeus as his grip on his god-crown slips, amid a world also sliding into… well, chaos.
Here’s the official synopsis: “KAOS is a bold, darkly comic, contemporary take on Greek mythology: exploring love, power, and life in the underworld. Having long enjoyed his status as King of The Gods, Zeus’ reign has never been truly threatened. That is until he wakes up one morning and discovers a wrinkle on his forehead. Believing it to be the harbinger of an ancient prophecy which foretells his destruction, neurosis sets in: Zeus becomes convinced his fall is coming. As his paranoia takes hold, the God of Gods – seeing signs everywhere – starts to dangerously self-destruct. And he’s right to be worried. Zeus’ one time friend and now prisoner, Prometheus, is orchestrating a plan to bring him down. The plan involves three disparate humans, all of whom are totally unaware of their cosmic significance or the part they must play in saving the world. No pressure. (Some pressure).”
It sounds like a wild, dark, and witty premise – and beyond Goldblum, there’s some strong casting here. The ensemble also includes David Thewlis, Janet McTeer, Cliff Curtis, Billie Piper and Eddie Izzard. There’s no release date for this one yet, but expect KAOS to stream on Netflix later in 2024. Let the KAOS theories begin.