Netflix Sued by Billionaire Over Missing Nicolas Cage Movie

An unencrypted master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage thriller Fortitude was stolen from a desk at Netflix’s Hollywood headquarters after being hand-delivered for a studio screening, according to a federal lawsuit filed in California’s Central District. Producer Simon Afram is suing the streaming giant for $105 million for breach of contract, alleging that Netflix executives knew about the theft of the digital cinema package for a full week before notifying the filmmakers.

The Delivery and the Heist at Netflix Headquarters

The security breach unfolded days after an industry-standard transfer of the film materials. According to the court filing, an unencrypted master copy of Fortitude was delivered to Netflix’s Hollywood offices on June 15 at the streamer’s request. Studios routinely require a digital cinema package, or DCP, to properly review films suitable for commercial theatre projection during a sales process. Netflix executives screened the film the following day on June 16.

Nine days after the screening, Netflix Original Film director Sean Berney acknowledged the theft in an email to two parties involved with the project. According to the filing, Berney wrote that someone stole a good amount of drives from office desks over the course of the week. “We’ve been working through this with our security teams to no luck,” Berney stated in the June 25 email. The message suggested the thieves were likely just selling the drives for scrap because the files required a key delivery message to open, while offering to create a new DCP or reimburse the missing drive.

Disputed Claims Over Missing Content and Valuation

The lawsuit states that Netflix failed to advise plaintiffs that the DCP had been stolen right off an office desk for potentially a full week. While the complaint does not specify whether the master copy was the sole existing version of the movie, a Netflix source asserted that the additional missing drives were empty and contained no content. Afram’s legal team, represented by attorneys Caroline Mankey and Christopher McAndrew at Akerman along with Neville Johnson and Hyura Choi at Johnson and Johnson, argues that the incident compromised the $45 million production personally financed by the Swiss billionaire producer.

Netflix pushed back against liability in a statement provided to the media. “Netflix disputes any claim that it bears the risk of loss for a film delivered without the proper industry-standard safeguards,” the company stated, adding that it takes content security seriously and offered to monitor piracy sites. Furthermore, Netflix declined to share ongoing investigation details with Afram’s law firm, citing what it described as hostile attempts to extort money by immediately demanding $165 million rather than working in good faith.

Production Background and Financial Stakes

Fortitude represents a seven-year development journey that initially attracted major Hollywood players. The screenplay by Simon Afram centers on Dusko Popov, a real-life World War II spy and playboy who inspired Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. At an earlier stage, Martin Scorsese considered directing the project as a vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio. Instead, the film came together with Oscar winner Nicolas Cage reuniting with his Con Air director, Simon West. The feature boasts an ensemble cast including Ben Kingsley, Ron Perlman, Matthew Goode, Michael Sheen, Art Malik, Jordi Mollà, Lukas Haas, Ed Skrein, Alice Eve, Paul Anderson, and Emilio Sakraya.

The complaint describes the movie tonally as resembling Ocean’s Eleven mixed with Inglourious Basterds. Plaintiffs calculated the $105 million damage figure based on early studio interest, high consumer test scores, feedback from sales agents, and industry standards where successful films break even by generating at least 2.5 times their production budget. “I spent seven years of my life bringing this incredible true story to the screen,” Afram said in a statement, emphasizing that the project belongs to the cast and creators who earned the right to bring their work to market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is suing Netflix over the missing movie?

Producer Simon Afram is suing Netflix for $105 million following the theft of the digital cinema package for the movie Fortitude.

What is the film Fortitude about?

The thriller centers on Dusko Popov, a real-life World War II spy and playboy who served as the inspiration for Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels.

How did Netflix respond to the lawsuit?

Netflix disputed bearing the risk of loss for a film delivered without proper safeguards, criticized the filmmakers’ legal representation for demanding $165 million, and noted it offered to monitor known piracy sites for unauthorized distribution.

Who stars in the film?

The movie stars Nicolas Cage, Ben Kingsley, and Ron Perlman, alongside a supporting cast that includes Matthew Goode, Michael Sheen, and Alice Eve.