Netflix Is Partnering With Spielberg’s Amblin For Film Productions
This has to be one of the biggest shocks since I started Amblin Road… Steven Spielberg & Netflix are joining forces on film productions!?!?
The shock comes from the fact that Spielberg has been critical of the Netflix model, quite vocally, in recent years. It seems though that his skepticism will not alter him working with the steaming giant. The signed deal is with Spielberg’s Amblin Partners.
I am really excited to see what comes from this. Would this be a way to revive Amblin properties like The Goonies or even Back to the Future? It feels like these projects may be ones Spielberg deems suitable for a non theatrical release, but I am just speculating. I think Netflix’s Stranger Things, which was heavily influenced by Amblin & Spielberg, is definitely a major reason why Amblin has had a sort of resurgence in popularity in recent years. What comes from this historic partnership will definitely be interesting.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
"At Amblin, storytelling will forever be at the center of everything we do, and from the minute Ted [Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO and chief content officer] and I started discussing a partnership, it was abundantly clear that we had an amazing opportunity to tell new stories together and reach audiences in new ways," said Spielberg in a statement announcing the deal. "This new avenue for our films, alongside the stories we continue to tell with our longtime family at Universal and our other partners, will be incredibly fulfilling for me personally since we get to embark on it together with Ted, and I can’t wait to get started with him, Scott, and the entire Netflix team."
Enthused Sarandos: "Steven is a creative visionary and leader and, like so many others around the world, my growing up was shaped by his memorable characters and stories that have been enduring, inspiring and awakening. We cannot wait to get to work with the Amblin team and we are honored and thrilled to be part of this chapter of Steven’s cinematic history."
Which projects fall under the Netflix pact is unclear. Amblin has been quite active in recent months and has several movies wrapping up or about to go. Spielberg is prepping to shoot his semiautobiographical feature starring Paul Dano and Michelle Williams this summer, with that drama expected to go to Universal.
But other projects remain unclear. Easter Sunday, a comedy starring Jo Koy, is near wrapping its shoot. And horror project The Last Voyage of the Demeter is prepping for a summer shoot in Europe.
Also wrapped is The Good House, a comedy-drama starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver, and Distant, a sci-fi project with Anthony Ramos and Naomi Scott.
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