Netflix and Producer Scott Stuber Officially Tie the Knot, Signaling Big Things to Come

Netflix has officially hired veteran producer Scott Stuber to run the streaming service’s budding film division, where he’ll oversee development, production and acquisitions.

Netflix is a great fit for Stuber, as the company’s deep pockets give him the ability to experiment with content. In that sense, it’s even better than the Paramount job that Stuber recently met with Viacom CEO Bob Bakish to discuss, as Netflix offers the longtime executive more creative freedom.

Stuber comes to Netflix with deep ties to the creative community, having recently produced the Mark Wahlberg comedy Ted, the Kevin Hart-Dwayne Johnson action-comedy Central Intelligence and the Denzel Washington-Ryan Reynolds thriller Safe House.

As the former vice chairman of worldwide production at Universal, he was responsible for the Fast and the Furious franchise, A Beautiful Mind, Seabiscuit, Cinderella Man, Jarhead, 8 Mile, the Jason Bourne franchise and the Meet the Parents franchise. More than 20 of the films he supervised have grossed over $100 million at the U.S. box office — which hints at the kinds of movies Netflix wants Stuber to produce for its global audience of more than 93 million customers.

Stuber will transition his Universal-based production company Bluegrass Films to partner Dylan Clark and the company will continue its TV partnership with Jamie Tarses.

“Scott is well known and respected in the film industry. His innovative work and strong talent relationships should help accelerate the Netflix original film initiative as we enter into a new phase of big global productions with some of the greatest directors, actors and writers in the film business,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “This is an unprecedented time of change and opportunity and we look forward to having Scott lead the way as we help evolve the way films are made, distributed and celebrated around the world.”

“Netflix is at the forefront in changing the way entertainment is enjoyed throughout the world, bringing a greater variety of stories to more people than ever before,” said Stuber. “It’s an incredible opportunity to work with a company with such reach and that stands for such diverse quality content for global audiences. I look forward to expanding the foundation and brand Netflix has built with visionary and commercial storytellers.”

Among the Netflix Original Films premiering this year that Stuber will oversee are

• Okja, from director Bong Joon Ho, starring Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Dano, Lily Collins, Steven Yeun, Shirley Henderson and newcomer Seo Hyun An

• Sandy Wexler from director Steve Brill, starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Hudson, Kevin James, Terry Crews, Nick Swardson and Jane Seymour

• War Machine, from writer-director David Michod, starring Brad Pitt, Meg Tilly, Tilda Swinton, Topher Grace, Lakeith Stanfield and Sir Ben Kingsley

• Mute, from director Duncan Jones, starring Alexander Skarsgaard, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux and newcomer Seyneb Saleh

• First They Killed My Father, the adaptation of Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung’s gripping memoir from director Angelina Jolie, and starring newcomer Srey Moch Sareum

• Death Note from director Adam Wingard, starring Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield and Margaret Qualley

• Our Souls at Night from director Ritesh Batra, starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Bruce Dern, Judy Greer, Matthias Schoenaerts and newcomer Ian Armitage

• Bright from director David Ayer, starring Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry and Edgar Ramirez

• Mudbound from director Dee Rees, starring Jason Clarke, Carey Mulligan, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell and Mary J. Blige

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief