Netflix Sued for $105 Million for Allegedly Losing "Master Copy" of Unreleased Nicolas Cage Movie
The producers say the theft of an unencrypted master has hurt sale prospects and forced them to pause distribution talks.
- On Wednesday, Swiss producer Simon Afram sued Netflix for at least $105 million in California federal court, alleging the streamer lost an unencrypted master copy of his unreleased World War II film, Fortitude.
- Associate producer Daniel Haido delivered the digital cinema package to Netflix in June for screening, but the company became unresponsive before disclosing in an email on June 25 that the drive was stolen from an office desk.
- Afram spent seven years and $45 million producing Fortitude, a spy thriller starring Nicolas Cage and Sir Ben Kingsley, with the lawsuit claiming Netflix's loss "destroyed that exclusivity and materially...impaired the film's marketability."
- Netflix disputes liability, arguing the film was delivered without industry-standard safeguards, and accused Afram's law firm of a "hostile attempt to extort money" by demanding $165 million rather than working in good faith.
- While Netflix investigates the theft and monitors piracy sites for unauthorized distribution, the streamer maintains it bears no responsibility for the loss, complicating the film's commercial prospects and potential sale to interested distributors.
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BTNetflix had a hard drive containing the film "Fortitude" stolen from its office. Producer believes the film's value has been destroyed.
Filmmakers Sue Netflix Over Alleged Theft of Hard Drive Carrying Unreleased Nicolas Cage Film
The theft of a hard drive containing a copy of an as-yet unreleased Nicolas Cage movie has sparked a $105 million lawsuit against Netflix by Los Angeles filmmakers who allege the future sale of the project is in jeopardy, according to court papers obtained Thursday. The complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angles federal court by writer-producer Simon Afram and his company, Op-Fortitude, contends that Netflix compromised the sale of the World War II…
Producer Sues Netflix Over Theft Of Hard Drive Of 'Fortitude'
The producer behind the World War II spy thriller Fortitude has filed suit against Netflix, claiming that it bears responsibility for the theft of the hard drive of the upcoming film after it was delivered to the streamer’s headquarters for screening and possible purchase. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles […]
Stolen Cinema: Film Producer Sues Netflix for $105 Million
A producer is suing Netflix for $105 million after claiming a copy of his unreleased movie 'Fortitude' was stolen from Netflix's studios. The film is believed to be devalued due to potential piracy. Netflix denies liability, stating the film was delivered without standard security measures.
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