By Netflix’s venture into original series production (House of Cards, Orange is the New Black) has been a huge success for the streaming service, and late last year they seemed intent on making a name for themselves with movie production as well, with a four-film deal with Adam Sandler (the horror!). Beasts of No Nation is luckily no Sandler movie, and it’s nice to see them pursue projects like this as well.
Netflix has reportedly purchased the distribution rights to the adaptation of Uzodinma Iweala novel, Beasts of No Nation, for $12 million. The movie is currently in post-production, and stars Idris Elba as a merciless warlord who recruits child soldiers for his rebel force. Written and directed by Cary Fukunaga, the movie becomes an immediate interest point for me. Mr. Fukunaga, for those who may not be aware, directed every episode in the first season of True Detective, and everyone who’s seen it, should be able to recognise his relentless talent (I mean, did you see episode 4?!).
As Netflix paid $12 million for worldwide distribution rights, it will be very interesting to see how they decide to handle it. Whether it gets a simultaneous release in theatres and Video on Demand, or it will premiere one place before the other. I’m all for a more accessible VOD market, but at the same time the best movie experiences are always in a dark and roomy theatre. Either way, should Netflix become a huge player in movie distribution, they could bring big changes to the industry. For better or worse.
(via: TheVerge)