Multiple storage devices were reportedly stolen from the Netflix office in Los Angeles back in June. This apparently included a master copy of the as-yet-unreleased film "Fortitude" starring Nicolas Cage (62). One of the producers behind the project has now sued the streaming service, according to reports from the US trade publications "The Hollywood Reporter" and "Entertainment Weekly".
The film has already been completed but is still looking for a distribution home. The cast includes Cage as well as Ed Skrein (43), Alice Eve (44), and Matthew Goode (48), among others.
The film was not encrypted
Simon Afram, screenwriter and producer of "Fortitude", has reportedly filed a lawsuit in a California court. Afram and his company accuse Netflix of compromising the sale of the World War II thriller. According to the lawsuit, potential buyers who could release the film would have to be informed that a copy of the film was stolen. This would not only create insurance problems but could also reduce the purchase price of the film.
In the lawsuit, Afram claims that the film took seven years to make and cost him more than $45 million. He is demanding at least $105 million from Netflix. Streaming service employees were reportedly informed that the master copy was stored unencrypted on the storage device and should be deleted after Netflix had viewed the film.
The other stolen storage devices were reportedly empty, according to an anonymous Netflix source speaking to "The Hollywood Reporter". In a statement provided to the trade publication, the streaming service denies that it "bears the risk of loss for a film that was delivered without industry-standard security precautions." The company does not own the rights to "Fortitude" but takes content security seriously. The company has "taken additional measures to support the filmmaker and his team." This includes conducting investigations and offering to monitor known piracy websites to prevent distribution or sale through those channels.
Law firm allegedly demanded $165 million
The filmmakers claim that Netflix refused to disclose whether the theft was reported to police. Additionally, the company allegedly declined a request to involve the Los Angeles Police Department after Afram's side submitted a report to the police department.
Netflix, in turn, has stated that it does not want to share details of an ongoing investigation after Afram's lawyers made a "hostile attempt at extortion" instead of working constructively with the company. The law firm reportedly demanded a payment of $165 million.
