Lately, you wouldn’t be wrong if you thought that 90% of the original films that Netflix distributes are rom-coms. The streaming service has certainly found a niche in the low-to-mid-budget rom-com space. But Netflix has its sights set on some big budget fare, as well. And yesterday, it was announced that the streamer has decided to purchase the rights to one of the most anticipated action/thriller films in development right now, “The Division.”
At E3 (the big annual video game event) yesterday (via Collider), it was announced that Netflix has purchased the rights to the upcoming film “The Division,” which is based on the game franchise of the same name. What makes “The Division” such a huge film isn’t just the storyline, which features a group of civilians that are activated to help save lives after a pandemic virus is spread through paper money on Black Friday, but instead on the caliber of talent involved.
“The Division” is set to star Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain, who will both serve as producers, as well, and “Deadpool 2” director David Leitch is attached to helm the film. The filmmaker is best known for the aforementioned superhero film, but he is also the director who brought audiences “Atomic Blonde” and is an uncredited director on the first “John Wick.” In addition, he’s currently putting the finishing touches on the first ‘Fast & Furious’ spin-off film “Hobbs & Shaw.”
Gyllenhaal and Chastain are the latest major stars to land a Netflix action film. Earlier this year, J.C. Chandor’s “Triple Frontier” saw Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Isaac, and Pedro Pascal star. Later this year, or early next year, Michael Bay teams up with Ryan Reynolds for “Six Underground,” alongside actors Mélanie Laurent and Dave Franco. Clearly, Netflix is making a big attempt to have its own slate of blockbusters.
No word on when we might expect “The Division.” The film is still relatively early in development, with all the primary cast and crew working on other projects at the moment. But hopefully, Netflix is able to bring us a quality action that will break the dreaded video game curse.