One of the most popular Japanese manga and anime series of the last few years, Death Note was all set for a live action American adaption, having being set up at Warner Bros. with You’re Next and The Guest’s Adam Wingard in line to direct a script from Jeremy Slater (Fantastic Four, The Lazarus Effect). Everything was moving forward nicely with project, casting had begun with Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns) and Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers, the upcoming The Nice Guys) both landing major roles, and filing was due to begin later this year for a 2017 release date. Then the studio dropped the project, part of a rumoured desire to focus release fewer movies not related to their big franchises, leading to quite a number of studios to bid on the project (if there is ever a crossover hit to bridge the anime fans and mainstream audiences it is Death Note). In the end, as reported by the Wrap, Netflix seems to have won out, entering negotiations to acquire the project, which could lead to a possible series of movies if it proves popular.
Fo those not in the know, Death Note follows a genius student (Wolff) who happens upon a supernatural note book that kills anyone whose name is written in it. While he uses it ostensibly for good, ridding the world of criminals and ‘evil’ people, he is soon subject of a massive police investigation, entering into an cat and mouse game with a reclusive, wunderkind detective. If Death Note does indeed hitch its wagon to Netflix, Wingard, Wolff, and Qualley will remain attached, with the streaming service said to have entered exclusive negotiations with the director, ensuring no other studio would steal the project away while negotiations are ongoing. If they do indeed land the project, Netflix intends to cast Keith Stanfield, star of their Brad Pitt produced War Machine, though he does not have an official offer at this time.
While some fans of the property may be disappointed that the movie is going to Netflix, what is there really to worry about? Most of their original content has being second to none, and they have proven on multiple occasions that they can handle more adult fare, which Death Note certainly is. This turn of events could lead to one their most high profile original films to date, which spells nothing but good things for both the franchise and streaming service.
Fo those not in the know, Death Note follows a genius student (Wolff) who happens upon a supernatural note book that kills anyone whose name is written in it. While he uses it ostensibly for good, ridding the world of criminals and ‘evil’ people, he is soon subject of a massive police investigation, entering into an cat and mouse game with a reclusive, wunderkind detective. If Death Note does indeed hitch its wagon to Netflix, Wingard, Wolff, and Qualley will remain attached, with the streaming service said to have entered exclusive negotiations with the director, ensuring no other studio would steal the project away while negotiations are ongoing. If they do indeed land the project, Netflix intends to cast Keith Stanfield, star of their Brad Pitt produced War Machine, though he does not have an official offer at this time.
While some fans of the property may be disappointed that the movie is going to Netflix, what is there really to worry about? Most of their original content has being second to none, and they have proven on multiple occasions that they can handle more adult fare, which Death Note certainly is. This turn of events could lead to one their most high profile original films to date, which spells nothing but good things for both the franchise and streaming service.
