Love, Death + Robots’ Tim Miller & Director on Working With David Fincher, MrBeast | Interview

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Brandon Schreur, Senior Editor at ComingSoon, had an engaging conversation with Tim Miller, creator of Love, Death + Robots, and Jennifer Yuh Nelson, the show’s supervising director. They delved into their experiences working on a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert episode under the guidance of David Fincher, shared insights about casting MrBeast, and discussed other exciting aspects of the latest episodes in the Netflix anthology series.

Dueling dinosaurs, spiritual felines, marionette pop stars – it’s all about Love, Death, and Robots! This time around, Tim Miller (Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate) and David Fincher (Mindhunter, The Killer) are back as producers. Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2, Kill Team Kill) reprises her role as supervising director for ten more mind-blowing episodes that continue the series’ acclaimed blend of cutting-edge animation, horror, sci-fi, and comedy. Hang on tight!

Love, Death + Robots Volume IV will be released on Netflix on May 15, 2025.

Brandon Schreur inquires: Both of you have started this latest series of Love, Death + Robots with a concert film by Red Hot Chili Peppers, directed by David Fincher, featuring puppets. It seems almost unbelievable to say aloud, but I found it incredibly enjoyable. Could you share some insights into the process behind its creation and the reasoning for choosing this as the opener for the season?

Tim Miller: Sure. Jennifer, you tell it, this time. I usually tell that one.

Jennifer Yuh Nelson: As Fincher spoke to you personally, it’s like getting information straight from the source. You could say it’s as authentic as something told to you face-to-face.

As a dedicated fan, I felt we could use an extra dash of stardust this season. So, I picked up the phone and reached out to David, suggesting, “You’ve got to be part of it!” He asked what he should do, and I proposed, “I want you to create a music video.” The reasons behind that were twofold: A) He’s the mastermind behind music videos; he essentially pioneered the art form. And B) By setting a time limit, we can keep him within specific boundaries regarding running time. In a way, it’s like putting David in a creative box, which can be beneficial!

With the idea of transforming the Red Hot Chili Peppers into puppets simmering in his mind for quite some time, he was fully committed. Without hesitation, he declared, “I’m going to create the Red Hot Chili Peppers as Team America-style puppets!” I responded with enthusiasm, “That sounds fantastic!” And so, we embarked on this exciting journey. Given his vast network of musical friends, all he needed to do was pick up the phone and ask for their collaboration, and they were more than happy to help, saying, “Sure, sounds amazing!

I’m thoroughly impressed! The entire production left me speechless, almost in disbelief at its brilliance. Specifically, Jennifer’s segment, “Spider Rose,” really resonated with me, especially as a fellow dog owner. The pet-related aspects were particularly poignant and emotional. This piece is an adaptation of a short story by Bruce Sterling. What about the story captivated you and led to its transformation into a Love, Death + Robots episode?

Jennifer Yuh Nelson explained that the latest episode, ‘Spider Rose,’ served as a continuation on a global scale from Tim’s storyline last season titled ‘Swarm.’ Given the vastness of Bruce Sterling’s universe, we can only explore small parts of it at a time due to the intricate details and careful planning. ‘Spider Rose’ was essentially a means to revisit this world.

This piece is incredibly moving. As you pointed out, the emotions are intense here – it’s almost overwhelming. The bond between the protagonist and the creature she discovers is powerful, and the narrative delves deeply into themes of grief. What makes this even more captivating is the stunning computer-generated visuals, reminiscent of what Blur can deliver, all set against a backdrop of weightlessness. This was always a story we were eager to tell, but we wanted to ensure it was done justice. In this instance, I had the opportunity to work with some adorable yet peculiar little creatures as pets. All in all, it’s an exceptional project.

Sure. I immediately want one after seeing that.

Jennifer Yuh Nelson: That’s good!

Tim Miller: It seems there’s a recurring pattern in Jennifer’s creative pieces, as she often integrates adorable elements only for them to face tragic or disturbing situations. I can’t quite pinpoint the reason behind this, but it might be connected to some experiences from her childhood. Regardless, this appears to be a consistent theme in her work.

* You’re right, you’re right. Tim, I noticed that you directed two episodes of the latest season. The first one I saw this morning was Golgotha with Dolphin-Jesus. It really blew my mind! It’s quite unusual to have a live-action episode in Love, Death + Robots. Can you tell me why you chose to tell this story through live-action rather than animation?

Tim Miller: Occasionally, I enjoy working on a live-action project to underscore the fact that we can. The tale appealed to me, and I appreciated its compactness – it seemed complete from start to finish, which isn’t always the case in short stories. It was a perfect fit. Given the story’s nature, I felt it was ideal for live-action, keeping things realistic and uncomplicated. It was straightforward to execute because we could simply drive to Malibu to film it. While animation can be the most economical and artistically superior choice at times, in this case, the live-action format suited the story best for me.

You too found it working well, I presume? I must admit, the storyline took me by surprise, but it was an enjoyable ride. On another note, the episode titled “The Screaming of the Tyrannosaur” that you created, Tim, was a blast! It had this unique blend of Squid Game, Jurassic Park, and Star Wars elements, making it quite captivating. You even had MrBeast voice the announcer in that episode. I’m curious to know how that partnership came about? What made you believe he would be suitable for the role?

Initially, let me clarify that Tim Miller is a big admirer of the show. During my visit to his home in North Carolina, I noticed posters adorning his rooms and various other show-related items, which clearly demonstrated his affection for it. Consequently, I’ve been brainstorming ways to incorporate him into an episode, and this one seemed ideal due to his exceptional talent as a performer. In essence, he embodies the character he plays on the show, albeit perhaps slightly less malevolent. This role perfectly suited him. So, I proposed the idea to him, and he eagerly agreed. The subsequent steps involved capturing his performance and integrating it into the episode.

I’m equally eager that his participation will attract a fresh group of viewers to our show. The larger the viewership, the better for us. It seems that he has ties to an audience who might find our show appealing if they were aware of it, doesn’t it? Thus, I’m hoping he can help spread the word about our production.

Thanks to Tim Miller and Jennifer Yuh Nelson for discussing Love, Death + Robots Volume IV.

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2025-05-15 00:40