Marriage Story Director Noah Baumbach Signs Exclusive Deal With Netflix

[Nergal]

 

Acclaimed filmmaker Noah Baumbach has signed an exclusive deal with Netflix. The indie auteur emerged in 1995 with his feature debut Kicking and Screaming and broke out with his semi-autobiographical drama The Squid and the Whale a decade later. Baumbach’s first film with Netflix was The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) and then was followed by Marriage Story. The latter film was met with gushing reviews and six Academy Award nominations, including for its two stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, but it was Laura Dern who took home Oscar gold for her supporting role as divorce lawyer Nora Fanshaw.

Following the success of his previous Netflix films, Noah Baumbach has inked a deal to write and direct films exclusively for the streaming giant over the next several years, Netflix announced. Baumbach says he has been trying to find a home since he began his career in the film industry 25 years ago. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to be making movies with Ted (Sarandos) and Scott (Stuber) and everyone at Netflix.” Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer, also said he was “thrilled” about the deal and lauded Baumbach, “For more than two decades, Noah has been writing and directing some of the most personal and influential films in American cinema.”

Baumbach’s first film with Netflix as part of their new deal will be White Noise, an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s breakout novel of the same name. It has been rumored that Driver and Greta Gerwig will star in the lead roles, both of whom are frequent collaborators with Baumbach. Gerwig and Baumbach, who have been a romantic couple for roughly 8 years, have previously worked together on Mistress America, Greenberg, and the black-and-white mumblecore film Frances Ha. White Noise is expected to begin shooting in 2021.

While some filmmakers, such as Christopher Nolan, have rejected the concept of releasing feature films straight to streaming services, Baumbach seems to be fully embracing the new trend, along with other auteurs such as David Fincher who also signed an exclusive deal with Netflix. Judging based on Baumbach’s previous Netflix films, the streaming service appears completely willing to hand over the reins to filmmakers and give them complete creative control.

[FuturePast1010]

Don DeLillo’s  White Noise is a masterpiece. Casting Driver and Gerwig for the leading roles would be amazing. But I'm not sure Baumbach is the right director for this kind of story. Just my opinion, of course.