Netflix are bound to up their already impressive streaming game as they’ve just penned a deal with critically acclaimed director Steven Spielberg so that he can produce films for them.
Jurassic Park, Jaws, Indiana Jones…. You name it, he’s directed them all. In fact, Spielberg was previously somewhat against streaming services when he said “I’m a firm believer that movie theatres need to be around forever… There’s nothing like going to a big, dark theatre with people you’ve never met before and having the experience wash over you. That’s something all truly believe in.
While we completely agree with that statement, the comfort of being able to watch movies in pajamas on the couch without having to drive to the cinema is also a luxury. Netflix responded to Spielberg at the time by tweeting:
“We love cinema. Here are some things we also love: access for people who can’t always afford, or live in towns without, theatres; letting everyone, everywhere enjoy releases at the same time; giving filmmakers more ways to share art. These things are not mutually exclusive.”
Speaking about the new deal, Spielberg stated “At Amblin, Storytelling will forever be at the centre of everything we do, and from the minute Ted (Sarandos, co-chief executive of Netflix) and I started discussing a partnership, kit was abundantly clear that we had an amazing opportunity to tell new stories together and reach audiences in new ways”.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spielberg does not direct all of the films Amblin produces, in fact his company have been partnering with Matt and Ross Duffer of Stranger Things to create a Netflix adaptation of Stephen King’s horror fantasy book The Talisman.
Planning to release over 70 films this year, Netflix certainly have their hands full and the addition of Steven Spielberg will further bolster their storytelling.
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