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Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Partners inks deal to make movies for Netflix

By Arghyadeep on Jun 22, 2021 | 03:32 AM IST

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Steven Spielberg, the acclaimed filmmaker, signed a multi-year deal to make films for Netflix Inc, a huge leap for the streaming giant as it faces increased competition from deep-pocketed rivals.

Netflix announced on Monday Amblin Partners, the studio led by Spielberg will produce multiple new films every year over the course of the agreement.

Last year, Amblin produced Academy Award-nominated “The Trial of the Chicago 7” for Netflix and the biopic of Leonard Bernstein “Maestro” is in preproduction.

Neither Netflix nor Amblin has disclosed the terms of the deal.

The deal with Netflix will not affect Spielberg’s long-term relationship with Comcast Corp’s Universal Pictures.

“Steven is a creative visionary and leader and, like so many others around the world, my growing up was shaped by his memorable characters and stories that have been enduring, inspiring and awakening,” Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in the statement.

“We cannot wait to get to work with the Amblin team, and we are honored and thrilled to be part of this chapter of Steven’s cinematic history.”

Netflix is expected to make 60 movies in 2021, which will further bolster its already prolific movie-production pipeline with the help of content from Spielberg, who created blockbuster films like Jurassic Park, E.T., and Saving Private Ryan.

Although Netflix is the dominant streaming service worldwide in terms of market share, it is trying to provide more hits on the platform to attract subscribers and help it stand out in a crowded market with rivals like Walt Disney Co, AT&T Inc’s WarnerMedia, Comcast Corp’s NBCUniversal, Amazon.com Inc.

The deal carries a symbolic weight in Hollywood, as in 2019, Spielberg had weighed in over whether films from streaming services should be considered for Academy Awards and said, “if it’s a good show, deserve an Emmy, but not an Oscar.”

Netflix’s “Roma” was the front-runner to win the Oscar for best picture that year, but Amblin Partner’s “Green Book” took the prize instead.

But later, a New York Times story said the director didn’t lobby for Oscar changes, and Spielberg emphasized his support for the theatrical experience while expressed  frustration with cinema owners that had banned Netflix movies.

“Big screen, small screen -- what really matters to me is a great story, and everyone should have access to great stories,” he said.

Picture Credit: New York Post

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