The confidence Netflix is showing in their original film BRIGHT is astounding, from the fact that they spent $3 million just to acquire the script written by Max Landis to them putting a total of $90 million into the production and release of the film.
A blending of the fantasy and buddy cop action genres that stars Will Smith as a Los Angeles police officer and Joel Edgerton as his orc partner, BRIGHT won't even be available for viewing through the streaming service until tomorrow, December 22nd, but before any subscribers have decided to check it out the company has already ordered a sequel.
This information comes from an article on Bloomberg, which said
“Bright” is (Netflix's) first attempt at a big-budget Hollywood production, bringing together a bona fide movie star in a fantasy, buddy-cop tale that could have come from any studio playbook. Directed by David Ayer, who also made “Suicide Squad,” it’s a warning shot to studios and theater owners that Netflix is targeting a big chunk of the $38.6 billion global box office. To underscore the commitment, the company has already ordered a sequel with Smith signed on.
I hope this first BRIGHT goes over well with viewers then.
BRIGHT is set in an
alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time. Ward, a human (Smith), and Jakoby, an orc (Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.
Smith and Edgerton's co-stars include Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry, Edgar Ramirez, Ike Barinholtz, Enrique Murciano, Jay Hernandez, Andrea Navedo, Veronica Ngo, Alex Meraz, Margaret Cho, Brad William Henke, Dawn Olivieri, and Kenneth Choi.
We'll find out if Netflix is right to be all-in on this idea when BRIGHT starts streaming this weekend.