How Deadpool Test Footage Laid The Foundation For Prime’s Video Game Anthology Series Secret Level

Secret Level‘s executive producers recall how the infamous Deadpool test footage led the way for their new adult animated anthology series. Coming to Prime Video on December 10, Secret Level tells 15 original stories set in the worlds of beloved video games. The series was created by Deadpool director Tim Miller (who also created Love, Death & Robots), with Dave Wilson (Bloodshot) serving as supervising director and producer.

In an interview with Screen Rant‘s Liam Crowley, Miller and Wilson were asked if the Deadpool test footage felt like a “spiritual pilot” for Secret Level. The Deadpool footage was created as a way to preview a potential movie centered on the character, and, when it was mysteriously leaked online in 2014, played a big part in getting the Ryan Reynolds movie made. Miller confirmed the test footage gave him and Wilson some experience they were eventually able to bring to Secret Level, with the two explaining:

Tim Miller:
Well, I actually feel like the studio’s work doing Game Sit Matters and trailers was a spiritual precursor of Deadpool. It gave us, Dave and I both, a lot of experience in packing a lot of story in a short amount of time, which is a unique kind of creative exercise.

Dave Wilson:
But mostly I think that test in particular, it’s not just the story. It’s can you encapsulate the tone in five minutes? Can you spiritually get the audience to understand what these characters are and that world feels like? I think that’s what that test did. That test was created all by Blur, the same artists that make all the game trailers and cinematics that Blur made over the last 30 years are the same artists who made that trailer. Yes. We spent way more money than we were actually given.

What This Means For Secret Level

Secret Level Has The Best Team Behind Its Creation

Not only will the new anthology series feature many fan-favorite video game characters, but Secret Level also has a strong team behind its creation. Blur Studios has been in business for more than two decades, deep in both the movie and video game worlds. Besides the Deadpool test footage, the studio is also responsible for creating the trailers of Sonic the Hedgehog, Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War, True Crime: Hong Kong, Prey 2, and many more.

Since its announcement, Secret Level has been one of the most talked-about shows among video game fans, and that’s partially due to its visuals. The Secret Level trailer revealed tantalizing peeks at a number of games and beautifully defined worlds, and it sounds like the creative team from Blur has only improved their quality over the years through the various projects they have worked on, including the hit Deadpool footage. Though not much information has been revealed, the series will feature games including Armored Core, Dungeons & Dragons, Mega Man, Pac-Man, Sifu, and Warhammer 400K: Space Marine 2.

Our Take On Secret Level

Secret Level Is An Ambitious Project

Deadpool expanded the anti-hero’s impact beyond the comic book community by introducing him to a wider audience. By incorporating successful elements from the Deadpool test footage into the new video game series, Secret Level is aiming at a bigger audience beyond the established gamer community. Both Wilson, Miller, and Blur Studios are behind the success of Love, Death & Robots. With the same creative minds working on the new series, it is very possible that the new video game adaptation will be a record breaker.

The official trailer of Secret Level teases several thrilling arcs, including an emotional and epic story set in a gritty Mega Man reboot world that looks hyperrealistic. Wilson’s comments also reveal that they spared no expense in making the series, which means that Secret Level was created to be the best. The trailer gives fans a sneak peek at the high-quality visual effects and the weight of the storytelling that are at the top in today’s standards.