Netflix faces $105 million lawsuit after unreleased Nicolas Cage thriller disappears
A Swiss billionaire who financed the unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude” is suing Netflix for $105 million, alleging the movie’s master copy was stolen from Netflix’s offices.
Swiss billionaire producer Simon Afram handed a digital cinema package of his unreleased Nicolas Cage thriller “Fortitude” to Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters on June 15 for review. After a single screening on June 16, Netflix director Sean Berney notified staff that several drives had been stolen from the office, a loss detailed in a federal complaint filed in the Central District of California. Afram’s suit seeks $105 million, arguing Netflix knew of the theft for up to a week without warning him, jeopardizing his $45 million investment and the film’s market potential.
Netflix counters that it does not hold the film’s rights and has taken steps to monitor piracy, while refusing to share investigation details. The lawsuit cites the film’s high test-screen scores and anticipated revenue of more than twice its budget. “Fortitude,” featuring a cast that includes Ben Kingsley and Ron Perlman, remains on the market for sale despite the dispute. The case underscores the risks of handling valuable digital masters in the streaming industry.
Why it matters
The dispute raises questions about how streaming platforms protect high-value unreleased content and their contractual responsibilities.
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