LAPD probes disappearance of Nicolas Cage thriller from Netflix amid $105M lawsuit
The Los Angeles Police Department is examining the alleged theft of the unreleased film “Fortitude” after screenwriter Simon Afram filed a police report, while Afram sues Netflix for $105 million.
Los Angeles police are investigating the alleged disappearance of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude” after screenwriter, producer and financier Simon Afram submitted a police report. Afram alleges that an unencrypted master copy of the $45 million WWII thriller was removed from a desk at Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters, prompting a $105 million lawsuit that includes a claim of defamation over Netflix’s characterization of the case.
An internal Netflix email to two producers labeled the incident a “breach” and noted that drives had been stolen from office desks. Netflix maintains it is running its own investigation, refuses to disclose details, and disputes responsibility for the loss. The filmmakers say Netflix has not filed a police report, involved insurance, or cooperated with the LAPD. Their production insurer has begun its own inquiry, also reporting a lack of response from Netflix.
Why it matters
The case highlights security and liability issues for streaming platforms handling unreleased high-budget films.
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