Netflix Announces Movie Featuring Brad Pitt

Netflix, Inc. NFLX announced on Monday that it would be teaming up with Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment to produce a feature length film slated for release in 2016. The movie, titled War Machine, will be a satire starring Pitt as a "rock star" general in Afghanistan trying to juggle his military duties, politics, and the press. It is based on the late Michael Hastings' best-selling book, The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan. The film will only screen in a limited number of theaters but will be available to Netflix users for online streaming. It is reportedly the biggest investment that the company has made in a feature film, at about $30 million. The project could represent the next big step for Netflix, which is trying to revolutionize the way that movies are consumed. The media giant has already entered the serial television space with force, stamping its name on such blockbuster successes as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and, most recently, the Marvel-inspired Daredevil. And while Pitt may be the biggest name that Netflix has landed, he is certainly not the only A-list star they've recruited. The company has also closed a deal with Adam Sandler that will have the comedian producing and starring in four movies to available exclusively on its streaming platform. In April, the online network also announced plans for a new comedy written by and starring British funnyman Ricky Gervais. "We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience," said Pitt in a press release. Netflix's stock stock was relatively flat following the announcement of War Machine but has nevertheless enjoyed a good year, up 48 percent year-to-date.