Game of Thrones creators, David Benioff and Dan Weiss have signed a multi-year film and TV deal with movie streaming giant Netflix. The deal would see them create and develop new projects exclusively for the streaming giants.
Netflix outbid Amazon and Disney, to sign the Game of Thrones creators. The Hollywood Reporter says the multi-year film and TV deal with Netflix is worth about $200 million.
The signed deal ends Benioff and Weiss time producing shows for HBO, where they were showrunners and writers on Game of Thrones. However, the creators will still fulfil their existing commitment to an ongoing multi-film deal with Disney for the Star Wars franchise.
Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, told THR that Netflix was thrilled to welcome such great storytellers.
We are thrilled to welcome master storytellers David Benioff and Dan Weiss to Netflix. They are a creative force and have delighted audiences worldwide with their epic storytelling. We can’t wait to see what their imaginations will bring to our members.
Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s chief content officer
In a joint statement, Benioff and Weiss appreciated HBO for the beautiful run they had together for over a decade.
“We’ve had a beautiful run with HBO for more than a decade and we’re grateful to everyone there for always making us feel at home. Over the past few months, we’ve spent many hours talking to Cindy Holland and Peter Friedlander, as well as Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber. We remember the same shots from the same ’80s movies; we love the same books; we’re excited about the same storytelling possibilities. Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honoured they invited us to join them.”
David Benioff and Dan Weiss, Game of Thrones creators
Regardless of the controversial finale to Game of Thrones, the record number of Emmys the series won gave them the opportunity to command such a high exclusive deal. They join creators like American Horror Story creator Ryan Murphy and Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes who has signed deals with Netflix
The Benioff and Weiss deal is an expensive one nonetheless. Netflix is currently trimming shows – most recently the animated comedy series Tuca & Bertie and off-the-wall sci-fi drama The OA – to cut costs and reign in spending.
Netflix may face lower-than-expected subscriber growth, due to price increases to its subscription plans and poor performance of expensive original content over the past few quarters.
However, the experience and expertise the duo has with working on a show as large and complicated as Game of Thrones will be a great addition to the Netflix team as they will be capable of producing record winning TV shows and films for Netflix. If they are currently working on any singular show, details are not yet available to the public.
Netflix solid investment in the Game of Thrones creators has the potential to make up for its shortcomings and loss of popular shows like The Office.
The priority of the duo is to hatch up record-breaking series, this time for Netflix. And we are certain that the expectations of their fan base are high.
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