Netflix Scores The Office Movie Spin-Off

BEVERLY HILLS: Netflix has acquired U.S. and select international rights for Ricky Gervais’s upcoming film David Brent: Life on the Road, a spin-off of his hit comedy series The Office.

The film will premiere on the streaming site in 2017. Netflix’s rights exclude the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Entertainment One (eOne) will launch a theatrical run of the movie in those territories.

The feature-length film sees a documentary crew catching up with Gervais’s character David Brent 12 years after the events of the original show. Brent is now a traveling salesman, chasing his dream of rock stardom by self-financing a U.K. tour with his band, Foregone Conclusion.

“We are thrilled to welcome the iconic character of David Brent back to Netflix, as we were the home to the first digital deal for The Office, starring Ricky Gervais,” said Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer. “Our existing collaborations across series, for Derek, and in film, with Special Correspondents, have been fruitful, and it’s only fitting for us to have Ricky’s upcoming feature film available to as many of our viewers as possible.”

“I’m so glad the mighty Netflix has once again outbid all competitors in North America to show my movie exclusively,” said Gervais. “It is the perfect platform for me, giving complete creative freedom and also millions of instant viewers who can watch again and again. I can’t wait for David Brent to follow it up with his U.S. live tour!”

“We are thrilled that Netflix has come on board to help us bring this beloved character to audiences,” said Steve Bertram, the president of Global Film Group at Entertainment One. “We’re only a couple of months away from our event theatrical releases in the U.K. and Australian markets, and alongside David Brent’s many fans, we’re counting down the days for his exciting debut on the big screen.”