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Steven Spielberg, the man behind classics like E.T., Jurassic Park, and Jaws, signed an exclusive deal with Netflix. His company Amblin Partners will create several movies for the streaming platform each year.
Steven Spielberg and Netflix
Netflix
That's right! After once decrying streaming services entirely, legendary director and producer Steven Spielberg will team up with Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos! "It was abundantly clear that we had an amazing opportunity to tell new stories together and reach audiences in new ways," the famed director said. "This new avenue for our films, alongside the stories we continue to tell with our longtime family at Universal and our other partners, will be incredibly fulfilling for me personally since we get to embark on it together with Ted, and I can't wait to get started with him, Scott, and the entire Netflix team."
Amblin Pictures and Netflix will team up on multiple new films and television shows every year. As you might imagine, Sarandos feels thrilled as well, calling Spielberg a "creative visionary and leader." All around the world, the Netflix CEO said, people were shaped "by [Spielberg's] memorable characters and stories that have been enduring, inspiring and awakening," he added. In the past, Amblin has been behind some of the biggest movies ever, including Almost Famous and American Beauty, as well as most of Spielberg's movies. One can only imagine what hits the company will produce for Netflix?
So when can you expect the new movies? Believe it or not, sooner than you might think!
What The Deal Means
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Usually, it takes years for a film to come to cinemas. However, Spielberg and Netflix have already started working on Maestro! The film tells the story of famous Leonard Bernstein, with Bradley Cooper heading the project. He not only wrote and directed it, but he'll also play Bernstein. However, don't think that Netflix will receive the best Amblin movies. In fact, industry experts think the opposite. "The notion that Amblin will be sending its most prestigious movies—let alone the ones that Spielberg himself directs—to Netflix is questionable," Fast Company Magazine explained.
Why do they think that? Well, Spielberg has made it clear in the past that he's not a lover of the steaming service - or any streaming service, for that matter. "I want people to find their entertainment in any form or fashion that suits them," he said in an email to The New York Times. "Big screen, small screen — what really matters to me is a great story and everyone should have access to great stories." However, it's clear that Spielberg has changed his mind. Still, it does mean Spielberg will continue directing for the big screen. For now, at least.
Only time will tell if Spielberg will ever direct a movie for Netflix. However, we're sure that Amblin's Netflix movies will turn out great!
Sources: CBS News, Screen Rant
