Remember that time when it was being reported that Netflix was going to be a bit more cautious with its big spending? Ha, yeah right.
Deadline is announcing that the streaming service has outbid six other major studios (including Sony Pictures) for the rights to finance and distribute the upcoming film “Pyros” starring Reese Witherspoon and produced by none other than Simon Kinberg. Yep, “Dark Phoenix” filmmaker Simon Kinberg.
We had already reported about this film coming together a week or so ago, but at the time, no studio was attached. Apparently, with Witherspoon and Kinberg on board, studios were bidding on this project with gusto, but Netflix had the best offer. It would appear that the streaming service is making a habit with picking up these high-profile, A-lister-starring projects over the last year or so. Perhaps the idea is to spend money on “sure-things” like Witherspoon and a fun premise versus that critically-acclaimed festival hit or unique TV drama (RIP “The OA”).
“Pyros” is based on Thomas Pierce’s short story “Tardy Man.” Pierce is attached to adapt his own script and tell the story of a group of people that are enhanced with fireproof suits that are fused to their bodies. They’re hired by wealthy clients to help recover items from burning buildings, but things get thrown for a loop when one of the people breaks protocol to rescue a person instead.
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There’s no word on when we might see “Pyros” arrive on Netflix. One has to assume that the film will join a variety of other big projects at the streaming service that will get a proper theatrical release combined with streaming. We’ll just have to wait and see.