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Any doubts about whether Netflix has effectively established itself as part of the Hollywood community vanish immediately upon stepping into the company’s Los Angeles offices. Two cases full of Emmys greet visitors just inside the lobby of the 14-story tower, situated near eight Netflix-controlled sound stages on the Sunset Bronson Studios lot. In one corner sits the Bluth family banana stand from Arrested Development, while an elaborate projection art piece takes up an entire wall, simulating screens from phones, tablets, televisions, and any other device the service runs on. On the other end, there’s a discreet coffee bar, where bearded creatives discuss the fine art of pitching studio executives. And splashed across a massive video wall is the promotional artwork for what the company hopes will be its next great success: the Will Smith fantasy-action film Bright.
While Netflix has undoubtedly cracked the code when it comes to making quality television, movies have been more elusive. The company gobbles up acquisitions at film festivals like Sundance and Toronto, but its insistence on debuting new films on the streaming service and in theaters simultaneously have made theater chains reluctant to screen Netflix films. But that isn’t hampering Netflix’s blockbuster ambitions. The company ponied up more than $90 million to make Bright, which will debut on December 22nd. Directed by Suicide Squad’s David Ayer, it’s the story of a LAPD cop (Smith) who lives in an fantastical world where fairies and magical creatures are commonplace. He’s partnered with an orc cop named Jakoby (Joel Edgerton), who is rejected both by humans and his own kind. When the two stumble upon an elf with a magic wand (Lucy Fry) they have to try to stay alive while figuring out who they can trust.
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