While many predicted that this year’s Cannes market would see Netflix ramp up their visibility as a film studio, there was a distinct lack of big purchases. But just a few weeks after the festival ended, the company has bought the rights to Brad Pitt’s army satire War Machine, according to Deadline.
The film is set to be directed by David Michôd, best known for Animal Kingdom and The Rover, and will star Pitt as a commanding general whose cocky reputation lands him in trouble. It’s based on the bestselling book The Operators, a satirical comedy from journalist Michael Hastings, who followed former US commanding general Stanley McChrystal around Afghanistan in 2010 for a Rolling Stone article.
McChrystal’s bad mouthing of both the White House and the war led to his resignation. Pitt’s character will be a loose take on him. The actor will also produce the film with the same team behind Selma and 12 Years a Slave.
“War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America’s ambitions,” said Netflix’s Ted Sarandos. “Brad and David are a perfect team to make this timely, compelling and entertaining film.”
It will join a forthcoming Netflix slate that features Cary Fukanaga’s Beasts of No Nation, starring Idris Elba, and Adam Sandler’s controversial comedy The Ridiculous Six.
