Netflix buys Brad Pitt's War Machine
Army satire is based on bestselling book about US commanding general Stanley McChrystal
Netflix has acquired its biggest film so far with its purchase of the satirical comedy War Machine. Brad Pitt is set to star in the movie as General Stanley McChrystal.
Netflix announced the acquisition Monday. It adds a major dose of star power to the streaming service's growing stable of original films. Netflix will produce the film, to be directed by Australian filmmaker David Michôd.
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Shooting is set to begin in August, with the movie being released in theatres and on Netflix in 2016.
War Machine is based on Michael Hastings' book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan, based on weeks of nearly unfettered access in 2010 to McChrystal. Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix, called the film "a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision makers."
Netflix promises to upend movie business
The global streaming service has steadily made inroads into the movie business, promising to upend its traditional theatrical window system and more quickly debut movies to its 60-million-plus subscribers, following a limited release in theatres.
We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience.- Statement from actor Brad Pitt
Last year, the company announced it is producing a sequel to the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. For that film, it also plans to forgo a traditional theatrical premiere. It will simultaneously release it online and in some Imax theatres.
Netflix also signed a deal with Adam Sandler for the comedian to produce and star in four feature films that would stream exclusively on the internet network.
Netflix has also inked deals with the Weinstein Co. for a new Pee-wee Herman movie with Judd Apatow. Other plans include a movie with Ricky Gervais, a documentary deal with Leonardo DiCapiro and a four-picture deal with Mark and Jay Duplass.
With sometimes splashy acquisition prices, Netflix also has picked up Cary Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation at the Sundance Film Festival and Richie Smyth's Jadotville at the Berlin Film Festival.
Two Netflix-distributed documentaries — Virunga and The Square — have earned the company its first two Oscar nominations. Now, with the pedigrees of Michod and Pitt, it could be aiming for Oscars in the fiction film categories too.
"We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience," Pitt said in a statement.
with files from CBC News