Netflix Makes Deal For New 'Shaft' Film Reboot With Samuel L. Jackson
Netflix has reportedly undergone gone talks to acquire the rights to the Shaft reboot featuring Samuel L. Jackson. The 70's action-crime film franchise released its fourth installment back in 2001 with Jackson also playing the titular character.
According to Deadline, in order for Netflix to acquire the international rights to the film, they must front over half of the film's $30 million budget. This will allow them to stream the new film outside of the US just two weeks after it hits cinemas.
New Line Cinema and Netflix have yet to comment on the alleged deal but sources say that it has been in the works for several weeks. The deal will not affect the film's release in the United States though, as the film will follow a traditional domestic roll out from theatrical to Subscription Video on Demand and DVD through Warner Bros.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The "Shaft" reboot was announced back in 2015 with New Line collaborating with producer John Davis of Davis Entertainment. The film was to be written by Kenya Barris and Alex Barnow with Tim Story at the helm instead of the previously rumored duo of Richard Brener and Samuel J. Brown. The film was to take on a more comedic theme while at the same time, retaining its action roots which made it so popular.
"It's drama, but it's going to be drama with a lot of fun moments," Davis told Collider at the Television Critics Association. "A lot of lighter moments."
The arrangement could be a new template for similar films in the future it grants Story a larger budget to create the movie. Netflix would also be able to market the title to areas which would have had to wait for the film to be released in their territories.
There is currently no set release date for the yet untitled "Shaft" reboot. However, it has been confirmed that a number of the sequel's cast will be included in the movie.
