The Right Stuff (franchise)

Last updated
The Right Stuff
The Right Stuff franchise logo.jpg
Official franchise logo
Based on The Right Stuff
by Tom Wolfe
StarringVarious
(See list below)
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures,
Disney+
Release date
1983–present
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$27,000,000
(Cumulative of 1 theatrical film)
Box office$21,713,000
(Cumulative of 1 theatrical film)

The Right Stuff franchise consists of American historical drama installments, including film and television mediums. Each installment details the aeronautical research at Edwards Air Force Base in California, United States, which lead to the Mercury Seven where seven military pilots were selected to be astronauts for Project Mercury; the first human spaceflight by the United States. Pilots were chosen from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force. A television series was developed by Warner Bros. for National Geographic, and upon being acquired by The Walt Disney Company, the studio also green-lit a documentary feature film; both were released as streaming exclusives available on Disney+.

Contents

The original film was met with critical and box office success, and was nominated for various Academy Awards; [1] winning a number of those nominations. [2] In contrast to these accolades, the movie was a disappointment financially at the box office. [3] Conversely the television series adaptation, was met with negative reviews from critics and viewers alike who compared it as inferior to the original. [4] [5] [6] The accompanying documentary movie was met with a mixed response with praise given to its director for the use of archival recordings and lack of modern-day narration, [7] [8] but complaints calling it "boring". [9] [10] Despite this reception and its cancellation on Disney+, the television show was actively being shopped around to other networks and streaming services at that time. [11]

Film

FilmU.S.
release date		DirectorWriterProducers
The Right Stuff October 21, 1983 Philip Kaufman Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff
The Real Right StuffNovember 20, 2020Tom JenningsRob Kirk and Chris Morcom

The Right Stuff (1983)

The non-fiction account of the first fifteen years of America's space program are explored, detailing the experiences of the lives of test pilots who became known as the Mercury Seven, including: Chuck Yeager, Virgil Grissom, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Alan Shepard, Walter Schirra, and Donald Slayton. Explored in detail are the dangers and pitfalls that transpired during NASA's earliest attempts, failures, and achievements. During a time of national political turmoil and a race to become the dominant power in space travel, each of their familial trials are depicted with personal crises they endured resulting in great technological innovation and advancements as well. [2] [12] [13] [14] [15]

The Real Right Stuff (2020)

Released as a documentary feature film created through a compilation of archival footage, photographs, and audio; the film details the events that transpired in the space race during the Cold War. The events detailed include America's technological advancements in space exploration, and the original Mercury Seven astronauts who played a role in completing these missions. The Real Right Stuff shows how these historical events inspired the future, including modern-day scientific studies of outer space. [16] [10] [9] [8] [7]

Television

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedShowrunnerWritersExecutive producers
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
The Right Stuff18October 9, 2020 (2020-10-09)November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20) Disney+ Mark LaffertyMark Lafferty, Will Staples, Lizzie Mickery, Howard Korder, Vinnie Wilhelm, Ameni Rozsa, Danielle RoderickMark Lafferty, Will Staples, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, Lizzie Mickery, Howard Korder


In July 2017, a television series adaptation of the 1983 film was announced as being in development. [17] By February 2019, the project was ordered to series and was created and written by Will Staples, with Mark Lafferty serving as showrunner. The show centered around the same factual events that were depicted in the original movie, though expanded upon with additional detail given the long-form storytelling format. The project was a joint-venture production between National Geographic Studios, Appian Way Productions, Warner Bros. Television Studios, Warner Horizon Scripted Television, and Disney+ Originals; while National Geographic handled distribution through its parent company The Walt Disney Company, exclusively via their Disney+ streaming service. [18] [19]

The Right Stuff debuted on October 9, 2020 and lasted until November 20, 2020; including a total of eight episodes. The series was met with mixed critical reception overall, being declared inferior to the feature film. [5] [6] [20] By April 2021, the television show was canceled at Disney+ and not renewed for a second season despite earlier plans to do so. [21] The series was being shopped around to other networks for a renewal at that point in time, and as the series was created by Warner Bros. Television and developed for National Geographic prior to the latter's acquisition by The Walt Disney Company, HBO Max and Turner Network Television are frontrunners in the acquiring series move. Though the cast's contracts were pending termination, the associated studios are working to negotiate for a second season. [11] [22]

Main cast and characters

CharacterFilmTelevision
The Right Stuff The Real Right Stuff
Charles "Chuck" Yeager Sam Shepard Charles "Chuck" YeagerReferenced
Virgil "Gus" Grissom Fred Ward Virgil "Gus" GrissomMichael Trotter
Gordon "Gordo" Cooper Dennis Quaid Gordon "Gordo" Cooper Colin O'Donoghue
John Glenn Ed Harris John Glenn Patrick J. Adams
Alan Shepard Scott Glenn Alan Shepard Jake McDorman
Walter "Wally" Schirra Lance Henriksen Walter "Wally" Schirra Aaron Staton
Donald "Deke" Slayton Scott Paulin Donald "Deke" Slayton Micah Stock
Scott Carpenter Charles Frank Scott Carpenter James Lafferty

Additional crew and production details

TitleCrew/Detail
Composer(s)Cinematographer(s)Editor(s)Production
companies		Distributing
company		Running time
The Right Stuff Bill Conti Caleb Deschanel Glenn Farr, Lisa Fruchtman, Stephen A. Rotter, Douglas Stewart & Tom Rolf The Ladd Company Warner Bros. Pictures 3 hrs 12 mins
The Real Right StuffJames Everingham, [23] and Hans Zimmer [8] Archival recordings
and materials compiled by:
Tom Jennings		David Tillman Walt Disney Television,
1985 Films,
National Geographic Original Documentaries 		Disney+ 2 hrs
The Right Stuff
(TV series)		 Adam Taylor Evans Brown, Christopher Norr, Peter Menzies Jr., and Adam SuschitzkyMatt Barber, Paul Karasick, Pattye Rogers, Matthew Colona & Luyen VuWalt Disney Television,
Appian Way Productions,
Warner Horizon Television Studios,
National Geographic Original Series 		6 hrs
(45 mins episodes)

Reception

Box office and financial performance

TitleBox office grossBox office rankingBudgetWorldwide
Total loss		Ref.
North AmericaOther territoriesWorldwideAll time
North America		All time
worldwide
The Right Stuff $21,500,000$213$21,713,000#3,488#22,238$27,000,000-$5,287,000 [3]

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Right Stuff 96% (50 reviews) [1] 91/100 (16 reviews) [24]
The Real Right Stuff— (4 reviews) [25] —
The Right Stuff (TV series)55% (31 reviews) [4] 61/100 (22 reviews) [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Berlanti</span> American television writer and producer

Gregory Berlanti is an American screenwriter, producer and director of film and television. He is known for his work on the television series Dawson's Creek, Brothers & Sisters, Everwood, Political Animals, Riverdale, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and You, in addition to his contributions to DC Comics on film and television productions, including The CW's Arrowverse, Titans, and the Doom Patrol. In 2000, Berlanti founded the production company Berlanti Productions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Bros. Television Studios</span> Television production arm of Warner Bros. Entertainment

Warner Bros. Television Studios is an American television production and distribution studio of the Warner Bros. Television Group division of Warner Bros.. Since 2006, it is one of the two companies that serve as television production arms of The CW, alongside Paramount Global's subsidiary CBS Studios; it also serves as a television production arm of DC Comics and distribution arm of HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. Warner Bros. Television Studios also produces shows for other networks & streaming services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imagine Entertainment</span> American film and television production company

Imagine Entertainment, also known simply as Imagine, is an American film and television production company founded in November 1985 by producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R. J. Cutler</span> American film director

R. J. Cutler is an American filmmaker, documentarian, television producer and theater director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Reeves</span> American filmmaker (born 1966)

Matt Reeves is an American filmmaker who first gained recognition for the WB drama series Felicity (1998–2002), which he co-created with J. J. Abrams. Reeves came to widespread attention for directing the hit monster film Cloverfield (2008). He also directed the vampire drama Let Me In (2010), and the critically acclaimed science fiction sequels Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017). He directed the superhero film The Batman (2022), which stars Robert Pattinson as the title character.

<i>The Right Stuff</i> (book) Book by Tom Wolfe

The Right Stuff is a 1979 book by Tom Wolfe about the pilots engaged in U.S. postwar research with experimental rocket-powered, high-speed aircraft as well as documenting the stories of the first astronauts selected for the NASA's Project Mercury program. The Right Stuff is based on extensive research by Wolfe, who interviewed test pilots, the astronauts and their wives, among others. The story contrasts the Mercury Seven and their families with other test pilots such as Chuck Yeager, who was never selected as an astronaut.

Micah Stock is an American actor best known for his roles in the Sundance breakout Brittany Runs a Marathon, as Doug in Netflix’s Bonding and as Kevin in the FX original series Kindred.

Yes, Norman Productions is an American film and television production company founded on October 27, 2017 by actress and producer Kaley Cuoco. It is known for producing the television series Harley Quinn (2019–present) and The Flight Attendant (2020–present).

Avenue 5 is a science fiction comedy television series created by Armando Iannucci that premiered on HBO in the United States on 19 January 2020. It stars Hugh Laurie and Josh Gad in lead roles as captain and owner of a fictional interplanetary cruise ship Avenue 5. HBO produced the series in the United States and Sky UK in the United Kingdom. In February 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic led to worldwide lockdowns, the series was renewed for a second season; filming moved forward in late 2021, with a release date of 10 October 2022. In February 2023, the series was cancelled after two seasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brownstone Productions</span> American film and television production company

Brownstone Productions is an American film and television production company founded by actress, director and producer Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman. It is known for producing films in the Pitch Perfect franchise, Charlie's Angels (2019) and Cocaine Bear (2023).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Very Good Production</span> American film and television production company founded by Ellen DeGeneres

A Very Good Production is an American film and television production company founded by comedian, television host, actress Ellen DeGeneres and Warner Bros. Television's Telepictures in 2003. It is known for producing the series The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The logo contains Ellen saying "Anyway..." while crossing her legs.

<i>The Right Stuff</i> (TV series) American drama limited-run series

The Right Stuff is an American historical drama limited-run series, loosely based on the 1979 book of the same name by Tom Wolfe and its 1983 film adaptation, that premiered on October 9, 2020, on Disney+. It is the third installment in the titular franchise. It explores the origins and growth of the United States' space program. On April 3, 2021, Disney+ canceled the series due to a redesign in the NatGeo channel's focus. Show financier Warner Bros. Television is looking to shop the series to other networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Searchlight Television</span> American television production company

Searchlight Television is an American television production company that is a division of Searchlight Pictures, part of The Walt Disney Company. Founded in April 2018, broadening the variety of projects produced under the namesake Searchlight Pictures film banner. It is headed by David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Entertainment</span> Production company

Fox Entertainment is an American film and television production company owned by Fox Corporation. The company was formed in 2019 after The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Fox Entertainment programming is created for the Fox Broadcasting Company, MyNetworkTV, and Tubi; Fox First Run serves as the syndication arm of the former, as well as a television distribution company for Fox Television Stations.

Will Staples is an American screenwriter, producer, and novelist. He is best known for his work on the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, the films Without Remorse and Sweet Girl, the television series The Right Stuff, and his novel, Animals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berlanti Productions</span> American film and television production company

Berlanti Productions is an American film and television production company founded by screenwriter, producer and filmmaker Greg Berlanti and producer Mickey Liddell.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Right Stuff (1983)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Knight, Arthur (October 21, 2016). "'The Right Stuff': THR's 1983 Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "The Right Stuff". The Numbers . Nash Information Services LLC. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "The Right Stuff (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Framke, Caroline (October 9, 2020). "'The Right Stuff' Is a Solid, Unremarkable Version of Space Stories Past: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Sepinwall, Alan (October 8, 2020). "'The Right Stuff': An Iconic Space Story That Never Takes Flight". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Carney, Emily (November 19, 2023). "'The Real Right Stuff' Illuminates Mercury Program, Debuts Rare Material". National Space Society. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Bradley, Tony (November 19, 2020). "'The Real Right Stuff' Reveals Rare And Unseen Material To Tell The Story Of The First Americans In Space". Forbes. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  9. 1 2 Serba, John (November 21, 2020). "Stream It Or Skip It: 'The Real Right Stuff' on Disney+, a Stiff and Draggy Documentary About the Mercury Seven Astronauts". Decider. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Nicholson, Amy (November 20, 2020). "'The Real Right Stuff' Review: A Movie Still Waiting for Liftoff". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (April 2, 2021). "'The Right Stuff' Canceled By Disney+ After One Season, Shopped By Warner Bros. TV". Deadline. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  12. ↑ Fraser, Rob (January 1, 2000). "The Right Stuff Review". Empire. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ Canby, Vincent (October 12, 1983). "FILM: 'Right Stuff', on Astronauts". The New York Times. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ Benson, Sheila (December 8, 2016). "From the Archives: Our original film review of 'The Right Stuff' holds clues for John Glenn's path to senator". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  15. ↑ "The Right Stuff". RogerEbert.com. May 16, 2002. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ Bui, Hoai-Tran (October 14, 2020). "National Geographic's 'The Real Right Stuff' Documentary to Premiere on Disney+ this November". Slash Film. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  17. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (July 25, 2017). "Nat Geo Teams With Leonardo DiCaprio To Adapt 'The Right Stuff' As Scripted Series". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ White, Peter (February 10, 2019). "Nat Geo Hands Series Order To Adaptation Of Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff' From Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  19. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (August 20, 2020). "'The Right Stuff': Nat Geo's Mercury 7 Drama Series Gets Fall Premiere Date On Disney+ – Update". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  20. ↑ Saraiya, Sonia (October 9, 2020). "The Right Stuff Wants to Be Mad Men in Space, But Fizzles". Vanity Fair. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  21. ↑ Low, Elaine (April 2, 2021). "Disney Plus' 'The Right Stuff' Canceled After One Season But Warner Bros. TV Shopping Series Around". Variety. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  22. ↑ Leishman, Rachel (April 3, 2021). "'The Right Stuff' Is Officially the First Scripted Series Not Renewed by Disney+". Collider. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  23. ↑ Film Music Reporter (October 17, 2020). "National Geographic's 'The Real Right Stuff' to Feature Original Score by James Everingham". Film Music Reporter. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  24. ↑ "The Right Stuff". Metacritic. Red Ventures . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  25. ↑ "The Real Right Stuff". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango . Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  26. ↑ "The Right Stuff". Metacritic. Red Ventures . Retrieved June 26, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.