Netflix is facing a major lawsuit involving an unreleased Nicolas Cage thriller. The film’s billionaire producer claimed the movie’s master copy went missing. The legal dispute could threaten the film’s future release and distribution.
The lawsuit alleges Netflix lost an unreleased Nicolas Cage film after requesting a review copy
The movie, titled “Fortitude,” took seven years to complete, as per a Page Six report. The thriller starred Nicolas Cage and was directed by Simon West. Swiss billionaire Simon Afram reportedly personally financed the $45 million production.
The film is reportedly centered on Dusko Popov, a World War II spy and playboy. The real-life figure reportedly inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. The movie also featured Ben Kingsley, Ron Perlman, and several other notable actors.
According to the lawsuit, Netflix requested a digital cinema package to review the movie. An unencrypted master copy was reportedly hand-delivered to Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters. Netflix executives reportedly screened the film one day after receiving it.
However, the lawsuit claimed someone stole the digital cinema package from Netflix. The company’s film director, Sean Berney, reportedly acknowledged the theft in a June 25 email. “Someone stole a good amount of drives from our office desks this past week,” Berney reportedly wrote.
Netflix reportedly offered to create a new digital cinema package or reimburse the filmmakers. The lawsuit claimed the company had potentially known about the theft for an entire week. It also alleged Netflix failed to immediately notify the filmmakers about the missing copy.
Afram is now suing Netflix for $105 million over the alleged mishandling of the movie. The lawsuit claimed the incident jeopardized his investment and the film’s potential value. It also argued the cast and crew lost an opportunity for recognition through a worldwide release.
Netflix disputed the claims and defended its handling of the situation. The company said it “takes content security seriously” and conducted a thorough investigation. Netflix claimed the filmmakers demanded $165 million. The lawsuit has placed the future of Nicolas Cage’s unreleased thriller in uncertainty.
TELL US – WOULD YOU WATCH NICOLAS CAGE’S “FORTITUDE” IF IT FINALLY RECEIVED A WORLDWIDE RELEASE?
