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⚠️ Caution: The following narrative may reveal plot points from Volume 4 of “Love, Death + Robots,” currently available on Netflix.

Be aware: This tale might disclose details about the stories found in Volume 4 of “Love, Death + Robots” which can be watched on Netflix now.

The Emmy-award winning Netflix animated series titled “Love, Death + Robots” is returning for its fourth season, and this round of short films promises to be even more audacious than before.

The latest installment of this series, featuring everything from disgruntled electronic devices in a humorous docu-style, to supernatural encounters by surprise in WW2 scenarios and even a Chili Peppers concert with conditions attached, is a unique blend of cutting-edge animation and well-crafted short narratives that will leave you spellbound with its fresh collection of stories.

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This series’ new season offers a diverse range of tales – from a satirical look at frustrated smart devices in a mockumentary style, to an unexpected demon attack on WW2 soldiers and even a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert where deals have been made. The combination of advanced animation and skillfully adapted stories creates an unforgettable experience.

Prior to the release of Volume 4, a group interview was held with key figures involved in the series, including Tim Miller (creator and executive producer), Jennifer Yuh Nelson (supervising director) and Robert Valley (director of “400 Boys”). The interview was conducted by EbMaster.

This volume has two cat-centric episodes, “The Other Large Thing” and “For He Can Creep.” Was that an intentional choice to highlight our feline friends so much this season?

JENNIFER YUH NELSON: It seems to have unfolded that way. Themes emerge later on. Cats play a significant role in it. John Scalzi, the author of “The Three Robots” and known for his humor, has a fondness for cats. Since we both appreciate them, they appear in the narratives!

TIM MILLER: Siobhan Carroll’s tale, “For He Can Creep,” was truly captivating. Interestingly enough, despite my dislike for cats, our project seems to attract them regularly.

NELSON: This season is cats and babies!

Cats, babies and a lot of exploration of faith ideology.

SPEAKER: I don’t have a strong affinity for religion in general, despite our balanced portrayal of it in “How Zeke Got Religion” at an altitude of 20,000 feet.

Speaking about religion, let’s delve into “Golgotha,” one of the few instances where the series ventured into live-action. What made this an appropriate decision for this particular tale?

MILLER: In “Ice Age” during Season 1, we established our foundation with Topher Grace and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. I believed that the tale’s earthy feel was best portrayed through live-action, giving it a sense of authenticity. Interestingly enough, we simply drove up to Malibu, captured it on the beach in just two days. I’m thrilled with how it turned out. The narrative has a charming, self-contained structure that seemed manageable in live action, as if it wouldn’t escape our grasp if handled properly.

One memorable episode is titled “400 Boys.” I had no idea what I was anticipating from The Boys, but massive babies certainly wasn’t it. What made this portrayal appropriate for representing the invaders?

ROBERT VALLEY: The plot and script were carefully designed to lead us in a specific direction. At times, we’re led to expect one thing, only for it to suddenly become something else. As a parent of one child, I could relate to those memories of my mischievous little boy growing up, which the story allowed me to reflect on a bit.

MILLER: I first came across that story around 1982 or ’83. What drew me to it was its warrior spirit, but what made me hold onto it for so long and revisit it now is the presence of giant babies. It was this unique element that elevated a good story into an exceptional one. Marc Laidlaw, the author, mentioned that he had an opening idea he didn’t use for some reason. I suggested, “Let’s go with that!” So, he wrote the opening scene where they psychically load bullets into their guns, which wasn’t in the original story. This is quite remarkable because authors don’t often ask to alter their own stories like this! It was really exciting.

VALLEY: I was wondering where that came from!

I immediately recognized John Boyega’s voice as Slash in that one. Why was he the right pick?

VALLEY: We tried around 20 different actors for our main character, but none of them seemed quite right. Eventually, Tim proposed the idea, “What if we give John Boyega a try?” He auditioned and was perfect for the role. It turned out to be an easy choice in the end.

I didn’t do it! I proposed Ed Skrein, who voices Hilo. Robert chose to use British actors, which was neat. Ed and I were acquainted because he played the villain in “Deadpool.” Ed is quite streetwise, so I shared the script with him and asked, “Take a peek at how they’re bantering. Offer any suggestions on how you would express it.” Ed provided one of my favorite lines: “My man, you look like a blend!

NELSON: John got involved since he’s acquainted with the casting director. When she brought up his name, I thought to myself, “That could be the voice in Robert’s head, perfect for the character.” It was an incredible coincidence.

Let’s discuss “Spider Rose,” since I’ve developed strong feelings for Nosey. He’s become my child, and I’d do anything to protect him.

MILLER: But would you eat him to save your own life?

If it were necessary, I wouldn’t choose to eat him, but I would do as Spider Rose did and allow myself to be eaten, given the circumstances.

NELSON: It’s quite intriguing since the original tale concluded with that twist – she opts for herself instead of the pet. The way it’s portrayed visually can evoke a distinct response. If we had opted for that ending, I believe your satisfaction might have been compromised.

Oh dear, it was indeed a selfless act, providing the creature with purpose in her last moments. I must say, I’m intrigued by your decision on Nosey’s appearance – he’s undeniably cute, yet there’s an undercurrent of something somewhat eerie about him.

NELSON: I appreciate your statement, “He’s my son now,” as it conveyed the sentiment I aimed for. However, I dislike overly cute things because they can be excessively sweet. To create a balance, we need to contrast the ugly with the cute. For instance, consider creatures like tardigrades – these microscopic organisms resemble tiny bear-like pods with short legs and circular mouths, which is quite unappealing. They’re also incredibly tough. We also examined animals such as wide-eyed Japanese frogs and French bulldogs, the latter being Jerome de Jean’s pet, who is a supervising creative director for our show. Sunshine is adorable, but she has breathing issues. Initially, we combined these elements in our design for the first phase, then in the second phase, we made him appear more mammal-like, using bush babies as inspiration because they resemble primates but seem slightly alien. Finally, we distorted Rose’s image through the same filter, giving her wide-set eyes to create an unsettling effect.

It survives in much the same way as a baby does by being adorable, making it hard for us to consider harming it, even when we might feel inclined to do so.

NELSON: Something my mom said is that they make babies cute so we don’t eat them.

MILLER: They would be delicious!

VALLEY: Tender meat.

Additionally, let’s delve into “The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur,” where MrBeast takes on the role as the host of a ruthless contest designed for nobles. What led to his participation in this event?

MILLER: “Isn’t he the supreme ruler of game shows? To be honest, even before his Amazon series ‘Beast Games,’ I had a feeling he would excel. However, the main reason is his deep-rooted affection for the show. I visited him in North Carolina and found his home adorned with posters from our show. He’s a fan, and he yearned to be involved. This role seemed tailor-made for him. I believe his presence will attract a new audience we might not typically reach, making it an excellent addition to the anthology. Moreover, I found him quite alluring in this part – with a hint of menace.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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2025-05-23 21:21