In a move overflowing with irony, Netflix is bringing its old rival Blockbuster back from the dead in a new workplace comedy. Deadline reports Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of Blockbuster from Universal, a single-camera comedy starring Randall Park, set in the last remaining Blockbuster video store.
The series is coming from Vanessa Ramos, who previously developed workplace comedies Superstore and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Happy Endings creator David Caspe and Superstore's Jackie Clarke are also on board as writers and executive producers. The producers have acquired the rights to Blockbuster and will use the store's iconic logo and uniforms.
We don't know the rest of the cast aside from Park, who is known for his roles in the MCU, Fresh Off the Boat, and Netflix's romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe. The show will focus on a group of coworkers, "with a lot of heart."
Universal TV's head of comedy, Jim Donnelly, noted the irony of Netflix creating a show about Blockbuster, saying he's, "thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Netflix, where we never have to worry about late fees."
Netflix and other streaming services directly contributed to the death of video rental stores like Blockbuster. After the rise of Netflix, Blockbuster went bankrupt in 2010. In 2013, Blockbuster announced it would close all remaining stores.
However, stores operating as licensed franchises were able to keep the Blockbuster name. As of now, the Bend, Oregon Blockbuster store is the only remaining location in existence. Last year, the Bend location started renting out overnight stays through Airbnb.
Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.