Netflix will be adding a brand new title to its slate of original film initiatives. The streaming platform will debut the war thriller Jadotville starring Jamie Dornan (of 50 Shades of Grey fame) across all Netflix territories in 2016.
Helmed by music video director Richie Smyth, Jadotville tells the story of Commander Patrick Quinlan (Dornan), the leader of an Irish UN battalion of 150 men who are under siege by 3,000 Congolese troops. Belgian and French mercenaries hired by mining companies lead the attack, with one French commander (played by Guillaume Canet of Blood Ties) particularly determined to defeat Quinlan’s outranked battalion.
Netflix acquired Jadotville at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival. The Irish war thriller, penned by Kevin Brodbin (Constantine), will film in Ireland and South Africa. Alan Moloney of Parallel Films (Albert Nobbs, Byzantium) is set to produce.
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“The story of how Pat Quinlan led his troops against an overwhelming force without losing a single man is one of the great stories of the 20th century, and we are proud to be working with such a talented and committed team to bring it to life,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a release. “This film will be an amazing addition to our global original films initiative.”
“As filmmakers, we are constantly looking for new ways to bring a movie to the largest possible audience. Netflix has already reinvented the TV market and is now moving front and center into the film business. We are proud and excited to be part of their story and innovation,” added Moloney.
Jadotville starts production in April 2015. No specific release date has been announced for the film as of yet.
