Aussie actor Eric Bana looks set to return to his comedy roots, signing on to co-star in Ricky Gervais‘ new film, exclusive to Netflix.
Gervais and Netflix announced the project, entitled Special Correspondents, will be exclusive to the streaming service, and will not have a theatrical release.
In a statement, Gervais said, “Having shaken up the TV industry, Netflix is about to do the same to Hollywood. It’s great to be part of the changing future. [Netflix chief content officer] Ted Sarandos is the new Godfather of entertainment and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Netflix has become synonymous with high-quality television, having brought us House of Cards, Orange Is The New Black and the new comedy Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, but is increasingly moving into film. Special Correspondents is the latest in a number of movie projects that Netflix have announced, including African war drama Beasts of No Nation.
Special Correspondents is based on the 2009 French war satire Envoyés très Spéciaux, and will star Bana as a struggling New York radio journalist who is sent to cover an uprising in Ecuador, but ends up faking the entire thing from above a Spanish restaurant in Manhattan. In addition to writing and directing, Gervais will also star as the journo’s technician.
Related: Beasts Of No Nation Might Be A Little Difficult To See In Theatres
Bana was last on our screens in Deliver Us From Evil, and is currently filming The Finest Hours for Disney. Special Correspondents is a return to comedy for Bana, who started out in stand-up and as a cast member of the hit sketch comedy show Full Frontal in the 1990s.
