Special Correspondents to get Netflix release
- Ricky Gervais' film is another example of the shake-up in the traditional distribution models
The inexorable march of Netflix into traditional distribution models, famously in television with House of Cards, continues in the world of cinema with British comedian Ricky Gervais’ Special Correspondents. “Special Correspondents, a new original feature film written and directed by Ricky Gervais and starring Eric Bana and Gervais, will debut worldwide on Netflix next year,” according to a statement from Netflix. Netflix already has several film distribution deals on its platform including Beasts of No Nation, Jadotville (read news) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend.
A remake of Frédéric Auburtin’s eponymous 2009 French film, Special Correspondents [+see also:
trailer
film profile] is a comedy in which Bana plays a struggling New York based radio journalist, who with his job on the line fakes frontline war reports from his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in Manhattan.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said, “Special Correspondents is classic Ricky Gervais: smart social satire with heart. It’s the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore, one that’s perfect for Netflix members around the world.”
Gervais said, “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. Ted Sarandos is the new Godfather of entertainment and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.”
The film is a co-production between Canada’s Bron Studios and the UK’s Unanimous Entertainment. Ricky Gervais, Unanimous’ Chris Coen, and Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Manuel Munz and Larry Sanitsky are producing.
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