Netflix are certainly getting aggressive this week. First the company announced a day and date release of the “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” sequel, and this evening the streaming video company announced another bold move with with respect to original movie programming: a four-picture deal with Adam Sandler. Sandler will star and produce four untitled movies for Netflix exclusively.
“People love Adam’s films on Netflix and often watch them again and again. His appeal spans across viewers of all ages —everybody has a favorite movie, everyone has a favorite line— not just in the U.S. but all over the world,” Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said in a press release.
“When these fine people came to me with an offer to make four movies for them, I immediately said yes for one reason and one reason only….Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks,” said Sandler. “Let the streaming begin!” Classy, right?
Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions will develop the four films alongside Netflix; each will be premiered exclusively to subscribers in the nearly 50 countries in the company operates. Sandler’s current studio film commitments are not affected by this deal.
Sandler’s movies have grossed more than $3 billion worldwide, although his latest movie "Blended" grossed only $46 million domestically, and 2012’s "That’s My Boy" is his lowest grossing Happy Madison production since "Little Nicky" in 2000.
In related news, David O. Russell made a two picture deal with Annapurna Pictures, the Megan Ellison-run company that produced “American Hustle.”