The Hollywood Reporter has broken the news that Shawn Mendes and his musical partner, Andrew Gertler, are to join the Life Is Strange adaptation as Executive Producers, in order to oversee the musical choices used within the show. It’s an interesting decision, one that could help create a unique feel and vibe to the show. But in addition to this, The Hollywood Reporter also broke the news that Anonymous Content, the banner behind such shows as 13 Reasons Why, has also joined the project with members of staff on hand to executive produce the show. And that’s an utterly terrifying idea, given how badly received 13 Reasons Why is in almost every single aspect of its storytelling and character depictions.
The first Life is Strange game is a game that truly captures lightning in a bolt. It’s a game that accurately captures teenage angst while still trying something new, and it never strays too far into the territory of being unbelievable, which is ironic for a game about a time-travelling teenage girl. 13 Reasons Why however constantly goes too far. It tries to reflect teenage angst while also being something more and fails on both counts, while attempting to exploit the trauma of the characters for the personal gain of the show itself. If the Life is Strange adaptation is to succeed, it would do best to completely ignore any and all lessons from 13 Reasons Why, and try something completely different.
I have faith in the Life is Strange IP and creators that this won’t turn out to be something completely unwatchable and overly simpering towards a teenage audience that doesn’t exist (ala every CW show that thinks they’re appealing to teenagers who actually don’t care at all). What I don’t have faith in is that the 13 Reasons Why producers won’t find a way to interfere and make things difficult for the show down the line. Still, as always inLife Is Strange, only time will tell.
If you’re interested in Life Is Strange, why not take a look at our content highlighting Life Is Strange: True Colours among other titles?
