Netflix has made a significant deal acquiring Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man” for a reported $20 million, according to TheWrap. This follows their recent $11 million purchase of Anna Kendrick’s “Woman of the Hour” at the Venice and Toronto film festivals. The film, which is both a comedy and drama, has garnered acclaim and attention.
“Hit Man” is a star vehicle for its lead actor, Powell, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Linklater. The inspiration for the film came from a “Texas Monthly” article written Skip Hollandsworth. Ben Croll, writing for TheWrap, described it as a highly entertaining movie that harkens back to old-school crowd-pleasers, featuring a comic persona and showcasing the range of a talented performer.
In a season that sees the release of several hitman movies, including David Fincher’s “The Killer” and Michael Keaton’s “Knox Goes Away,” early reviews suggest that “Hit Man” may be the standout. The film revolves around a master assassin who secretly works for the police, adding an intriguing twist to the genre.
Netflix’s $20 million investment in “Hit Man” marks one of the largest payouts during the festival season, demonstrating the streaming giant’s commitment to bringing high-quality content to its platform. This year alone, they also purchased Chloe Domont’s financial sector-set romantic drama, “Fair Play,” for the same amount.
One advantage that Netflix enjoys is that its films do not require intense pre-release promotion from writers and actors. Instead, the film’s thumbnail on the platform’s front page on the day of release serves as the most effective marketing tool.
As reported Deadline, this acquisition is another sign of Netflix’s continued dominance in the industry.
Sources:
– TheWrap: [title of source article]
– Deadline: [title of source article]
