Netflix has signed a huge multi-year deal with the creators of HBO’s globally popular show Game of Thrones. According to Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch has reported that the deal is worth $200 million and will see television writer-producers David Benioff and D.B.Weiss create movies and series for the streaming company.
It’s not just Netflix who have snapped up the duo, as Disney has also given them a contract to write and produce a Star Wars movie trilogy. There will be a few years to wait for these, as the first one isn’t scheduled to be released until 2022.
In the past, Netflix has signed contracts with Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes for original content. The Game of Thrones writers differ from these high profile names in that their reputation is based entirely on this show. However, clearly both Netflix and Disney see enough potential in the two to draft them in as part of their efforts to maintain a key role in the streaming wars.
Netflix chief officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement: “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.”
Benioff and Weiss made a joint statement, saying: “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.
“Netflix has built something astounding and unprecedented, and we’re honored they invited us to join them.”
By going to work with Netflix and Disney, the move has killed off plans for their next HBO series, controversial title Confederate. The premise was an alternate reality which would show the impact of a Confederate victory during the American Civil War, portraying a version of America where slavery hadn’t been abolished.
