UPDATE: Netflix just picked up a big slate of Disney movies and shows, and a Paramount insider says “Netflix is in big trouble” with the merger approved.
David Fincher is not renewing his deal with Netflix, according to Bloomberg.
The Fight Club and The Social Network director signed an exclusive deal with the streamer back in 2020. It expires next year, and Fincher has decided to let it run out.
Bloomberg reports Fincher is not jumping to a rival studio, and his next movie could still end up at Netflix. He just does not want a big overall deal with any company right now.
An overall deal basically pays a filmmaker to work exclusively for one studio and covers the cost of running their production company.
Fincher is walking away from that arrangement, not necessarily from Netflix itself.
Fincher Follows Levy, The Duffer Brothers, And Baumbach
The news lands the same week Shawn Levy announced he is taking his television business to Disney. Levy produces Stranger Things and had been in a deal at Netflix since 2017.
Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers already left for their own deal at Paramount.
And a few weeks ago, Marriage Story director Noah Baumbach signed with Warner Bros. Discovery after making his last four movies at Netflix.
Per Bloomberg, Fincher is the latest in a string of long-term Netflix partners walking away.
What Fincher Made At Netflix
Fincher has been at Netflix longer than just about anyone. He directed and executive produced House of Cards, the 2013 series that launched Netflix originals.
His last three movies were all made there: Mank, The Killer, and the upcoming The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth, starring Brad Pitt.
Fincher also produced Mindhunter and Love, Death & Robots for the streamer.
Cliff Booth, a sequel to Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, opens in a large number of theaters in October. Bloomberg notes that kind of wide theatrical release is rare for Netflix and is aimed at keeping filmmakers happy who want their movies on the big screen.
A Rough Year For Netflix
The departures come with Netflix in a rough stretch. The company lost out on its bid for Warner Bros., which is going to Paramount instead.
Bloomberg reports Wall Street is questioning whether Netflix has a real growth strategy, and the streamer has struggled to put out as many hits as usual in recent months.
Netflix stock is down more than 20% this year. Shares have lost more than 40% over the last 12 months.
And now the director who helped launch Netflix originals is done with his deal.
