Netflix is a gamechanger. The online streaming giant is at the forefront of changing the way people have media delivered to them, and how they consume it. They’ve already been muscling their way into the TV industry, producing original series like Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and others that have not only proven to be wildly popular, but critically beloved as well.
So in that sense it seemed like it would be a mere matter of time before they turned their attentions to feature films. We know they’ve already lined up a whole bunch of big names to bring new films exclusively to Netflix for their global premieres. Today adds another big name to that ever-growing list.
Ricky Gervais will be bringing his upcoming war satire film “Special Correspondents” exclusively to Netflix, which will serve as the platform for the film’s premiere and initial distribution – there will be no wider theatrical release for it.
Gervais signed on to write, direct and star in the film – a remake of the 2009 French film Envoyés très Spéciaux – late last year, with ‘Straya’s own Eric Bana on board to co-star alongside him.
The film will see Bana take on the role of a formerly popular radio journalist who gets assigned to cover a political uprising in Ecuador. Gervais will play the role of Bana’s technician. The pair fake being kidnapped by rebels and field continual reports back to America. But unbeknownst to everyone, they’re really hiding out in their New York City apartment and “covering” the story from there.
Speaking to Variety, Gervais stated “Having shaken up the TV industry, Netflix is about to do the same to Hollywood. It’s great to be part of the changing future.“
Special Correspondents will debut on Netflix in 2016.
Photo: Justin Tallis via Getty Images.
via Variety.
