Remember last week when I said that it was being reported that Netflix was going to back down from spending large sums of money to fund massive films because the return-on-investment didn’t work on in its favor? Yeah, well apparently the streaming service is still going to write big checks, but you better have three of the world’s biggest stars signed on. And that’s exactly the case with the upcoming “Red Notice.”
According to Deadline, Netflix has spent a handsome amount of money to finance and distribute the upcoming globe-trotting heist film titled “Red Notice.” The film is set to star some of the highest-profile stars in the world today with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot attached. “Red Notice” also has blockbuster pedigree behind the camera with Rawson Marshall Thurber (“Central Intelligence,” “Skyscraper“) signed on to helm the film.
We last heard about “Red Notice” last summer when it was reported that Gadot and The Rock would star. However, at the time, the film was set up at Universal, with the idea of a traditional theatrical rollout. Now, the streaming service saved the film after the deal with Universal fell apart and Reynolds was added to the fold. And boy, Netflix is shelling out some huge cash.
Unlike traditional studios, who can sign these massive stars to contracts that include back-end, profit-sharing deals (which limits the upfront costs), Netflix doesn’t have that option. That means the streaming service is set to pay The Rock a reported $20 million to star in the film, with Gadot and Reynolds getting impressive paychecks as well. All told, “Red Notice” is expected to cost a reported $130 million, which would be one of the largest budgets ever given to a Netflix film.
With a deal like this, you can’t be surprised that Johnson was far from quiet, and had a lengthy statement about the huge news:
“With ‘Red Notice,’ our goal at Seven Bucks Productions was to break down traditional barriers and create a true global event for the audience. Netflix has illustrated that they are the perfect partners to accomplish this goal. I admire the ambition of Netflix to become one of the biggest movie studios in the world. Their original content generates critical acclaim and invites full collaboration on every level of production. Their unbridled enthusiasm for ‘Red Notice’ is equally matched by their commitment to entertaining audiences on an international scale.
“As the landscape of movies, distribution and audience consumption continues to evolve, our Seven Bucks focus is to continue to find the best platform and partners to thrive in this ever changing environment. Director/writer Rawson Thurber has delivered a dynamic script that me and my co-stars and partners-in-heist, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds, can’t wait to shoot.
“The fun we’re gonna have making ‘Red Notice,’ but more importantly — the fun the worldwide audience will have watching it in 190+ countries — all at the same moment.”
No release date is set, but production is set to begin on “Red Notice” next year.