There can no longer be any doubt that Netflix and other streaming services are major players around Hollywood, not just for series TV but for feature films. In particular, Netflix has been snatching up a number of projects that would command big dollars in theaters, and they've just scored another one, this time with Brad Pitt and Animal Kingdom director, David Michod.
Last year we learned Michod would be writing and directing an adaptation of Michael Hastings' book, The Operators, which took a devastating look at the rise and fall of General Stanley McChrystal, the commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan. Pitt was on board to produce at the time, but now Deadline confirms he will star, as well. The film has been titled War Machine and is being planned as a satirical comedy which Netflix will distribute.
With Netflix making this move, they've now landed a possible awards-contending film with an A-list star in Brad Pitt. In fact, they're planning an award season run next year, but there will likely be resistance from exhibitors. The major theater chains have been vocal in their disapproval of the Netflix model, recently railing against Netflix's upcoming release of Cary Fukunaga's Beasts of No Nation. So we'll see how this whole thing shakes out.
