When Steven Soderbergh and Magnolia gave the experimental film Bubble a simultaneous VOD and theatrical release in 2005, some predicted it to be the beginning of the end of the movie theater experience. Since then we've seen the practiced used more frequently, theatrical release windows shortened, and the expansion of movies exclusive to the digital medium. After the extremely successful VOD release of Snowpiercer earlier this year, Harvey Weinstein is ready to take the next step by making an exclusive deal with Netflix for the release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend.
Netflix announced today that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend would be the pay network's first original feature. It will premiere on August 28th 2015, and as part of the announcement Netflix has also debuted a couple of images featuring the returning Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu-Lien and Donnie Yen as Silent Wolf. Yuen Woo-Ping (Tai Chi Master) is directing with a script by John Fusco, the film is loosely based on Iron Knight, Silver Vase, the fifth book in Wang Dulu's Crane-Iron series. Harry Shum Jr., Jason Scott Lee, Roger Yuan, Eugenia Yuan, and Natasha Liu Bordizzo co-star with Peter Berg and Morten Tyldum (The Imitation Game) producing.
Given the effect Netflix has had on TV with high-profile series like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, it was only a matter of time before they made the move to features, and this is a big initial move grabbing a movie like this. That said, if you're aching to see it on the big screen it will be made available on the same day in select IMAX theaters around the world. You can bet there are a few Hollywood execs who are looking at this as another blow struck against traditional distribution methods, but in truth it's not that much different than a pay network like HBO releasing their own original movies to lure in subscribers. Whether this plan works for Netflix remains to be seen and there will be plenty of eyes watching to see how it plays out.
