Netflix has recently acquired distribution rights to "War Machine," which will star Brad Pitt as a U.S. military general set in a satirical tone.
This venture will be the biggest investment Netflix has made in terms of producing movies in the $30 million range. After its success with Oscar Best Picture winner "12 Years A Slave" and Best Picture nominee "Selma," Netflix has potential to struck gold again by gaining a global A-list movie star in its roster.
"We are so excited," Pitt said in a statement, "to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience."
"War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America's ambitions," said Chief Content Officer of Netflix Ted Sarandos. "Brad and David (Michod) are a perfect team to make this timely, compelling and entertaining film."
Michod added, "I'm humbled to be making a big, bold movie about the whole sprawling, complex, cumbersome and crazy machinery of modern war and the many lives it touches."
The "World War Z" and "Troy" actor will play a character patterned after Gen. Stanley McChrystal during his time as the commanding general of international and U.S. forces in Afghanistan. The satirical film, inspired by the book "The Operators: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story Of America's War In Afghanistan," will be produced by Pitt and his Plan B team Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, along with Ian Bryce.
Deadline.com reported that because of the sophisticated content not patented as a popcorn film, Pitt and his advisers decided to experiment with its theme in order to make it more palatable for the general audience.
Aside from "War Machine" as its ventured feature film, Netflix is set to release a sequel to the 2000 blockbuster "Crouching Tiger, Dragon" in theaters and online on August 28, 2015.
