Nu Image/Millennium Films to Stream First-Run Features on Netflix

LOS ANGELES: Netflix has entered into a long-term agreement with Nu Image/Millennium Films for first-run theatrical features to be streamed over the Internet to subscribers during the traditional pay-TV window.

Nu Image and Millennium Films are best known for big-budget action thrillers such as The Expendables, John Rambo, Brooklyn’s Finest, Righteous Kill, 16 Blocks and Black Dahlia. Among the first films to be covered under the new Netflix deal is Dito Monteil’s 2011 release Son of No One, starring Channing Tatum, Al Pacino and Katie Holmes. Also slated for Netflix is 2011’s Elephant Wife, starring Djimon Hounsou and Kevin Bacon. Historically these films have been licensed to premium TV channels, but will head to Netflix for streaming first.

We are delighted to be in business with Netflix," said Avi Lerner, co-chairman of Nu Image/Millennium. "This is a groundbreaking deal for our new releases and library titles. It will allow us to be more aggressive with theatrical releases and will clearly impact our distribution model. We will be producing more great films for Netflix."

"Avi Lerner and Nu Image have a remarkable track record of producing crowd pleasing and profitable films," added Ted Sarandos, the chief content officer for Netflix. "Their ability to work across multiple studios and maintain a consistent output of diverse and successful films makes Avi and his company perfect Netflix partners for theatrical features in the pay-TV window."