Well this is one hell of a package:The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert ForddirectorAndrew Dominikhelming a true story Navy SEAL adventure calledWar Party, starringTom Hardy, produced byRidley Scott. That’s what was on the table for buyers, and as you can imagine, a bidding war broke out amongst studios like Amazon, Universal, and Lionsgate. In the end Netflix secured the rights (surprise surprise) for seven figures, and this film is now well on its way towards becoming a reality.
Details are being kept under lock and key, butTHRreports that film is described as an adventure project and is based on true events, centering on real life Navy SEALS—life rights were part of the deal. Dominik is co-writing the script with newcomerHarrison Query, while Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Films will produce.
Dominik is a fantastically ambitious director, so we can rest assured this won’t be your typical war drama. He recently helmed the divisive dramaKilling Them Softly, which starredBrad Pittand was sold as a hitman story, but in actuality was a scathing critique of American capitalism. Dominik’s work is incisive, from his debut filmChopperto the poeticAssassination of Jesse James, and he most recently directed theNick CavedocumentaryOnce More with Feeling. He’s been developing aMarilyn Monroefilm calledBlondefor a few years now, but withWar Partypicking up traction it sounds like that’s getting pushed back once again.
Hardy, meanwhile, is fresh off his FX drama seriesTaboowhich he stars in and co-created with his fatherChips Hardy. The show was recently renewed for a second season, so he has to fit that into his schedule, and he’s next gearing up to shootFonzo, the next film fromFantastic FourdirectorJosh Trankin which Hardy playsAl Capone. He’s also set to co-star in the international thrillerTriple Frontier, so that’s a full plate indeed.
Regardless, Netflix has been making serious moves on the feature film front lately. Not content to simply be a leader in original TV series, the streaming service recently hired former Universal Pictures presidentScott Stuberto oversee their original film slate.War Partyis merely the latest in a series of big projects Netflix has greenlit, including the upcoming fantasy blockbusterBrightand the Pitt-fronted satireWar Machine.
