Brad Pitt to produce and lead in a Netflix original movie WAR MACHINE

No Marvel fans, not that War Machine. Instead War Daddy is giving birth to War Machine, a satirical take on America’s War on Terror™ in Afghanistan, with Pitt performing double duty as lead in the movie while co-producing alongside Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Ian Bryce all of whom previously worked with Pitt on World War Z; David Michôd (Animal Kingdom) will direct and, it’s coming to Netflix.

The full press release announcing the movie (via Screenrant) is as follows:

Beverly Hills, June 8, 2015—The Netflix original film, War Machine, a provocative satirical comedy from David Michôd with Brad Pitt set to star in the leading role, will be exclusively available to members of the leading Internet TV service globally and in select theaters next year.

Inspired by the best-selling book The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America’s War in Afghanistan by the late Michael Hastings, War Machine concerns a four star, “rock star” general whose lethal reputation and impeccable track record vaults him to command the American war in Afghanistan.

Determined to win the “impossible” war once and for all with a radical new approach, the general and his motley staff of commanders and press advisers race across the globe navigating delicate international alliances and troop requests, the charged battlefield of Washington politics, the voracious appetite of the media, and the day-to-day management of the war itself – all the while struggling to stay connected to the lives of men and women out in the field.

Pitt said upon the announcement:

We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience.

Netflix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos said with a bit more obvious enthusiasm:

War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America’s ambitions. Brad and David are a perfect team to make this timely, compelling and entertaining film.

I generally (hah!) enjoy Pitt’s work and the subject matter truly interests me. That combined with Netflix’s penchant for allowing its content creators greater creative freedom than the traditional Hollywood studios do makes me quite interested in this project.

And did anyone else notice “in select theaters”? I’m curious to see if any of the big cinema chains will screen the movie following their much-publicised hissy fits over previous Netflix-produced movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Legend of the Green Blade and Beasts of No Nation that basically boiled down to “we don’t like competition”. Brad Pitt’s name has a much bigger box office pull than Adam Sandler’s, who entered into an exclusive deal with Netflix, so will they stick to their previously-stated principles or follow the money?

This, along with more original movies, might just be enough to make me pick up a Netflix subscription once they officially launch in South Africa; my home-made popcorn is cheaper too. How about you?

Last Updated: June 9, 2015