Netflix has announced a new collaboration with Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow for an upcoming thriller film. The streaming giant has given the green light to a project that will focus on a group of White House officials facing a time-sensitive crisis involving an imminent missile attack on the United States.
Sources reveal that the film will unfold in real-time, echoing the tense atmosphere of Bigelow's acclaimed 2012 film, Zero Dark Thirty, which chronicled the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the subsequent Navy Seal operation to eliminate the terrorist leader.
While specific details about the project remain under wraps, Netflix confirmed the untitled Bigelow movie during a recent presentation to advertisers in New York City. This film, along with the announcement of a sequel to Happy Gilmore, marks the first project approved by Netflix's new film division head, Dan Lin.
The development of the film began under the leadership of Scott Stuber, the previous head of Netflix's film division, who had long pursued a collaboration with Bigelow. The director conceived the core concept of the film before enlisting the talents of Noah Oppenheim, a seasoned writer and former president of NBC News, known for his work on the critically acclaimed biopic Jackie.
Securing the project faced challenges during negotiations, with Lin expressing concerns about the budget and shooting schedule. Following discussions with Bigelow, adjustments were made to align with the streamer's cost-conscious approach.
This upcoming film signals Bigelow's return to the military thriller genre, following her success with Zero Dark Thirty and the groundbreaking war drama The Hurt Locker, which earned her the distinction of being the first woman to win an Oscar for Best Director. Bigelow's diverse filmography includes notable works such as the 1987 vampire thriller Near Dark, the iconic action film Point Break from 1991, and the sci-fi thriller Strange Days, produced by James Cameron. Her most recent directorial effort was the 2017 historical drama Detroit.
