Scott Stuber to leave Netflix
David Farnor | On 24, Jan 2024
Scott Stuber is leaving Netflix this year, seven years after he became head of the streamer’s original films.
Stuber was named Chairman of Netflix Film in January 2023. Prior to Netflix, Scott founded and ran Bluegrass Films and served as Vice Chairman of Worldwide Production at Universal Studios. He is on the board and active with several organizstions, including the National Film Preservation Foundation, British Film Institute, American Cinematheque, Charlotte + Gwenyth Gray Foundation, Baby2Baby and Chrysalis.
Stuber brought huge clout to Netflix’s then-fledgling film operation. Since joining the company in 2017, hes overseen the development, production and acquisition of the Netflix film slate, including Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, All Quiet on the Western Front, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, The Adam Project, The Gray Man, The Power of the Dog, Don’t Look Up, Martin Scorseses The Irishman, Academy Award® winner Marriage Story, Red Notice and Roma.
In that time, there have been notable successes, including Roma winning three Oscars, with films such as All the Quiet on the Western Front, Marriage Story and Pinocchio winning awards. Stuber has also helped Netflix foster ties with filmmakers such as Guillermo del Toro, Jane Campion, Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Greta Gerwig and Alfonso Cuarón. He has also driven Netflix to spend big on a number of titles, including $200 million-plus budgets for Red Notice and The Grey Man plus a $400 million-plus deal for Rian Johnson’s Knives Out franchise.
Nonetheless, he and Netflix are now parting ways, in what Deadline reports is a move that’s been a long time coming. Deadline cites rumours that he and Netflix had differing views on film releases, as Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime have leaned into cinema windows for movies before they stream online but Netflix remains focused on streaming as its primary goal.
Indeed, as Netflix faces growing competition and headwinds such as the cost of living crisis impact consumer wallets and willingness to subscriber to multiple platforms, the company has been making a series of strategic shifts to counter a dip in members and shore up its revenue. These have included a crackdown on password sharing by users, but also an increasingly tough line on renewals and cancellations.
In March, Stuber will depart to start his own media company, helping with the transition period for Netflix before Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria oversees things until a permanent replacement is hired.
“Seven years ago, Reed and Ted offered me the amazing opportunity to join Netflix and create a new home for original movies,” Stuber said in a statement. “I am proud of what we accomplished and am so grateful to all the filmmakers and talent who trusted us to help tell their stories. Thank you to Ted, Reed, Greg, Bela and the entire team, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO, added: “Scott has helped lead the new paradigm of how movies are made, distributed and watched. He attracted unbelievable creative talent to Netflix, making us a premiere film studio. Under his leadership, we’ve become the most nominated studio for three years in a row at the Academy Awards – including eight Best Picture nominations, two Best International Feature Oscars, two Best Documentary Feature Oscars and our first Best Animated Feature Oscar. Scott, thank you for your leadership and friendship and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Bela commented: “What Scott has accomplished in seven years is nothing short of amazing. He created a world-class film studio, not only by working with established filmmakers, but also finding and supporting first time creators. He’s been such a trusted partner and friend to me and many others, and I hope to find new ways to continue to work together.”
Scott Stuber to head Netflix’s original film arm
15th March 2017
Scott Scuber is Netflix’s new head of feature films.
The streaming giant is stepping up its feature film production arm significantly with Stuber’s high-profile signing. Indeed, the former Universal exec was once courted to head up Paramount’s film division, notes THR, but he instead opted to join the online company.
Netflix is certainly making no secret of its ambitious movie plans. This year, the streaming service won its first Oscar for short documentary The White Helmets and it is already building on that success, with original films set to premiere this year including Brad Pitt’s War Machine and David Ayer’s Bright, starring Will Smith. The site is also currently in the middle of attempting to buy Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, starring Robert De Niro. These are huge deals for the company, often involving hefty premiums and salary payouts – at the time, the agreement for Bright was pegged at around $90 million. Indeed, to date, the service has largely focused on snapping up buzzy titles at festivals, such as Sundance – this year, that included a not inconsiderate $12.5 million for Mudbound, which is already being touted as an Oscar contender.
Stuber, then, marks something of a change in gear: with his own production company Bluegrass Films on his CV, he’s been behind projects such as Cinderella Man, 8 Mile and the Bourne and Fast & Furious franchises. While Netflix has primarily based its feature-length output on acquiring films that are ready to go into production, Stuber has sizeable experience in developing projects from the ground up. He will lead development, production and acquisition for original films, using his existing relationships with talent and agents. If Netflix can also continue its efforts to get films into limited theatrical releases, appeasing filmmakers and qualifying for awards, Stuber can position Netflix as a legitimate studio rival – one with a built-in audience of 93 million in 190 countries around the world.
“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 Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos in a statement.
“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,” added 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.”