Netflix acquires Brad Pitt's War Machine as streaming service shoots for Oscars

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Pitt, 51, will play a 'rock-star' general in satirical comedy War Machine
The actor said he was 'so excited' to be joining forces with Netflix
Pitt's character is based on four-star general Stanley McChrystal who led US war effort in Afghanistan before resigning in 2010 for criticizing White House
Shooting is set to begin in August, release scheduled for 2016
Netflix is producing more original content following the successes of series like House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black
By releasing a film in limited theatrical release and online distribution, Netflix's movies can qualify for Academy Award consideration

Published: 13:13 EST, 8 June 2015 | Updated: 19:13 EST, 8 June 2015

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Netflix has acquired the distribution rights to Brad Pitt's next big project War Machine, the streaming service announced on Monday.

Pitt, 51, who will play a four-star 'rock star' general in the satirical comedy, said in a press release he's thrilled to be joining forces with Netflix.

'We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience,' he said.

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Brad Pitt is teaming with Netflix to produce and star in a potential Academy Award-worthy film that will be released via the company's streaming service and in a limited number of movie theaters

The movie will be produced by Pitt's production company Plan B and directed by David Michôd, who made gritty Australian crime thriller, Animal Kingdom.

Shooting is set to begin in August, with the movie scheduled for release on Netflix sometime next year.

FROM MAIL-ORDER DVDS TO WORLD DOMINATION: THE SUCCESS OF NETFLIX

Netflix launched in the U.S. in 2007 as a mail-order DVD company which sent movies to your door in red envelope.

Under the guidance of CEO Reed Hastings, the company transformed itself into a $38 billion-dollar streaming empire which reaches more than 50 countries worldwide.

The company announced earlier this month that it plans to reach some 200 countries worldwide within two years.

Netflix has more than 60 million subscribers globally.

It has won a host of Emmys for original shows like House of Cards and Orange Is The New Black, along with being nominated for Oscars for documentaries, Virunga and The Square.

The move is a clear sign that Netflix, which is worth $38 billion, is determined to become a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

Netflix has steadily made inroads into the movie business, promising to upend its traditional theatrical window system and more quickly debut movies to its 60 million-plus subscribers, following a limited release in theaters.

And the company likely wants to repeat the awards success it has had with original series such as the Emmy-winning House Of Cards at the movie level.

By releasing a film in limited theatrical release almost simultaneously with a wider online distribution, Netflix's movies can qualify for Academy Award consideration.

Two Netflix-distributed documentaries - Virunga and The Square - have earned the company its first two Oscar nominations.

It's also believed that Brad and his production partners anticipate that the film, because of its subject matter, is likely to reach a wider audience through international streaming rather than through a traditional theaters-only initial release.

War Machine is a fictionalized story based on the 2012 best-selling book by the late journalist Michael Hastings called The Operators: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story Of America’s War In Afghanistan.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at 2015 AFI Awards luncheon

Pitt will play a character based on Gen. Stanley McChrystal (right), who led the U.S. war effort in Afghanistan before resigning in 2010. War Machine is based on book, The Operators, by late journalist Michael Hastings (left). Hastings shadowed McChrystal in 2010 and published an article The Runaway General in Rolling Stone which led to McChrystal's resignation after his remarks criticized the White House's handling of the war

'War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America’s ambitions,' said Ted Sarandos, the chief content officer of Netflix.

He added that Pitt is the perfect choice for what he calls a 'timely, compelling and entertaining film'

Brad's character, who leads the U.S. war efforts in Afghanistan, is loosely based on Gen. Stanley McChrystal whom Hastings followed around Europe and Afghanistan for a month.

McChrystal resigned his command after Hastings wrote an article The Runaway General, published in Rolling Stone in 2010, in which he quoted McChrystal bad-mouthing the White House and its handling of the war.

Hastings died in a car crash in Los Angeles in June 2013.

Monday's announcement comes hot on the heels of Netflix's decision at the Cannes Film Festival to acquire the worldwide rights to Kevin James' new comedy 'The True Memoirs of an International Assassin.'

In March, the company acquired the rights to Beasts Of No Nation, a drama about West African child soldiers starring actor Idris Elba after it appeared at the Sundance Film Festival.

The film, written and directed by True Detective's Cary Fukunaga, is also considered a possible contender for Oscars glory in 2016.

Netflix has inked deals with the Weinstein Co. for a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel, a new Pee-wee Herman movie with Judd Apatow, and a series of comedies with Adam Sandler.

Other plans include a movie with Ricky Gervais, a documentary deal with Leonardo DiCaprio and a four-picture deal with Mark and Jay Duplass.

Going for gold? Netflix's acquisition of War Machine follows the company's decision to but the worldwide distribution rights to Beasts Of No Nation starring Idris Elba. The drama about African child soldiers is widely tipped to be a contender at the 2016 Oscars