Netflix isn't holding back in their effort to be a major force throughout Hollywood, and their upcoming slate of films shows the diversity the streaming network is aiming for. Today Netflix has revealed release dates for their original film projects, and as expected they are looking to be major players in the awards season this year.
Fist up is Beasts of No Nation, written and directed by True Detective's Cary Fukunaga with Idris Elba starring. The film will open in limited release and on Netflix on October 16th, putting it right in the awards season race. Based on Uzodinma Iweala's novel, the film centers on a young African boy who is forced to become a child soldier, with Elba playing the warlord who teaches him the ways of war. There have been rumblings from some major distributors about Netflix's release structure, and it will interesting to see how many theaters agree to show the film.
Capping off 2015 will be Adam Sandler's controversial comedy-western, The Ridiculous Six, the first of an exclusive four-picture deal he made with the streaming service. The film will hit Netflix on December 11th and stars Terry Crews, Jorge Garcia, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Luke Wilson, Vanilla Ice, and Nick Nolte, with plenty of offensive jokes about beavers and tee-pees apparently.
Early 2016 will see the arrival of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, which will hit Netflix and theaters in China. Nope, no stateside theatrical release for this one. Directed by acclaimed choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, the film will see Michelle Yeoh reprise her role as Yu Shu-Lien with Donnie Yen joining the cast as Silent Wolf.
And finally, the Judd Apatow-produced Pee-Wee's Big Holiday will premiere in March 2016. Pee-Wee Herman goes on an epic quest of friendship and destiny that will also include Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike XXL) as his best friend.
