The Rock’s Red Notice jumps from Universal to Netflix
July 9, 2019
By Nik Roseveare
Netflix has lined up arguably its most ambitious movie to date, having acquired action-thriller Red Notice. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson will front the action-thriller, supported by Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot.
The film was originally set to be released by Universal Pictures, but Netflix has now taken over the production of the film after winning a bidding war. The filmmakers – including Johnson – felt that Universal were hesitant about taking it on, even though a release date was already reportedly set for November 2020.
Johnson commented: “With Red Notice, our goal at Seven Bucks Productions was to break down traditional barriers and create a true global event for the audience. Netflix has illustrated that they are the perfect partners to accomplish this goal. I admire the ambition of Netflix to become one of the biggest movie studios in the world. Their original content generates critical acclaim and invites full collaboration on every level of production. Their unbridled enthusiasm for Red Notice is equally matched by their commitment to entertaining audiences on an international scale. As the landscape of movies, distribution and audience consumption continues to evolve, our Seven Bucks focus is to continue to find the best platform and partners to thrive in this ever changing environment. ”
“Director/writer Rawson Thurber has delivered a dynamic script that me and my co-stars and partners-in-heist, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds, can’t wait to shoot. The fun we’re gonna have making Red Notice, but more importantly – the fun the worldwide audience will have watching it in 190+ countries – all at the same moment,” he added.
Scott Stuber, head of Netflix Film, added: “Rawson wrote a spectacular globetrotting action-adventure film. We can’t wait to bring this story and this Dream Team of movie stars, Dwayne, Ryan and Gal, to audiences around the world.”
Red Notice is set to begin principal photography in various locations in 2020, with a budget of around $130 million.