As the streaming competition gets tighter, Netflix now has the renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg in its arsenal. The streaming giant has inked a multi-year deal with the acclaimed director under its studio, Amblin Partners.
Amblin will produce a number of new movies for Netflix. Though it already has a deal with Universal Pictures, where the studio is based, it will not affect its new agreement.
In fact, according to Deadline, the two deals will "co-exist side by side," as Spielberg will do movies for the two firms. Variety also noted it might produce two films per year for Netflix, though it remains to be seen how long.
Some of them may even be directed by Spielberg himself, while the production company provides the funds for some productions. However, his upcoming film with Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams may not be part of it. Instead, it may be out for Universal.
Netflix's new deal is seen as its move to remain on the top of its game. It is still the most popular streaming service in the business with over 200 million subscribers worldwide, The Wall Street Journal reported.
But it cannot be denied that its competitors are now growing in numbers.
Walt Disney's Disney+ is now slowly making a name--not just in the U.S. but also abroad. Amazon, in addition, has now acquired the MGM movie and TV studio for $8.45 billion - including debt.
This just means it now holds the right to the "James Bond" franchise. Elsewhere, HBO Max is also making its way to the hearts of the audience with its new and acquired content, like the much-talked-about "Friends: Reunion."
Anyhow, this move is also seen surprising as Spielberg seems to be a little skeptical when it comes to Netflix movies. In 2019, the commercially successful director appeared to urge the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to exclude streaming movies from being eligible for Oscars.
However, sources close to the award-winning director stressed there was no truth to this claim--Spielberg never barred Netflix from being eligible to any award-giving bodies. The producer himself addressed the issue and even showed his support for this new form of entertainment.
"I want people to find their entertainment in any form or fashion that suits them," he says in a statement to The New York Times. "Big screen, small screen - what really matters to me is a great story and everyone should have access to great stories."
