Netflix sued for $105m over theft of Nicolas Cage war thriller
Netflix is facing a $105 million lawsuit after a hard drive containing an unreleased Nicolas Cage World War II spy thriller was stolen from its office, jeopardizing the film's release.
Netflix has been hit with a $105 million lawsuit following the theft of several hard drives from its Los Angeles office, one of which contained a copy of the unreleased World War II spy thriller 'Fortitude'. The film's producers, who invested $45 million in the project, are now taking legal action against the streaming giant over the loss.
A Netflix spokesperson stated that the company disputes claims it bears responsibility for a film delivered without proper security measures. They added that Netflix conducted a thorough investigation and offered to monitor known piracy sites for any unauthorized distribution.
According to reports, Netflix received a copy of the film in June after expressing interest in promotional materials. A digital copy was sent for internal screening, and producers instructed Netflix to delete the files afterward. However, the theft compromised the film.
Sean Berney, head of Netflix film acquisitions, wrote in an email that this was a first for the company regarding such a theft. He noted that security teams had no luck and that piracy teams were on high alert.
The lawsuit alleges that Netflix failed to disclose whether a police report was initially filed and later declined a request to involve the LAPD. As a result, the film's international release and awards campaign have been halted.
'Fortitude' is a London-set spy thriller about British intelligence operatives during World War II. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Matthew Goode, Michael Sheen, and Ben Kingsley, and is directed by Simon West, known for 'Tomb Raider' and 'The General's Daughter'.
