Massively popular online streaming service Netflix has announced (via their official blog) that, come the end of September, they will NOT be renewing their contract with cable network Epix. So, what does this mean for US customers? Well, it means that US members will be losing a number of high-profile films, including Transformers: Age of Extinction, World War Z, and Hunger Games: Catching Fire. So, if any of those films strike your fancy and are in your Netflix queue, it might be a good idea to watch them sooner rather than later.
The rather unexpected move by the popular service is actually intended to help better the movie and TV show provider, who intends to bring out a whole slate of new original films and series that will release around the world at the same time globally, and, "in some cases, simultaneously with theatres". And, following the success of series such as Bloodlines, House of Cards, Orange Is The New Black, and Marvel's Daredevil, you can see why. The service has a continuing license to produce original content with Marvel, including a second season to the hit Daredevil, and upcoming shows including Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and, eventually, The Defenders. As is with Marvel, the company's deal with Disney also allows for films and TV series from Lucasfilm and Pixar to be released on the service, including the upcoming Star Wars films.
In the official post, Netflix explain that it will take some time to build a larger library of original films and series, but they are already hard at work on various projects with talented stars such as Adam Sandler, Judd Apatow, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sofia Coppola and Ricky Gervais. They also highlighted what releases you can expect to see in the next few months, which are listed below:
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In October - Beasts of No Nation, an unflinching war drama from Emmy Award winning director, Cary Fukunaga, director of True Detective, and Golden Globe winner, Idris Elba, star of Luther and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.
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In December - Ridiculous Six, the first of four new comedies from Adam Sandler, will debut with an all star cast including Terry Crews, Taylor Lautner, Rob Schneider, Jorge Garcia, Luke Wilson, Steve Buscemi, Nick Nolte, Whitney Cummings, Will Forte, Steve Zahn, David Spade, John Turturro and Harvey Keitel.
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Also in December - Sofia Coppola directs Bill Murray in a form-bending holiday classic-to-be A Very Murray Christmas.
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In early 2016 - the sweeping action thriller Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Green Legend produced by Harvey Weinstein and the latest adventure of the much adored Pee-wee Herman in Pee-wee’s Big Holiday produced by Judd Apatow.
You can read the full statement here.
So, what do you guys think of Netflix's actions to push original content? Do you think this could be the beginning of the downfall of the popular streaming service, or do you think the decision will benefit them in the future? Are you excited for any of the content they have planned? Be sure to sound off in the comments below, and don't forget to share and hit that like button!
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