Netflix Acquires Halle Berry’s Directorial Debut Film for $20 Million

After a fantastic career on screen, the Oscar winner makes her directorial debut with a mixed martial arts drama Bruised and received a knockout deal with Netflix, reported by multiple reports.

What We Know:

  • This is a profile of Berry’s ambition as a director and her passion for the film, which is about her playing a comeback MMA fighter while trying to repair her broken relationship with her son. However, it was also part of the sales and hype strategy.
  • The streaming service had a sneak-peek of the work-in-progress for Bruised before it premiered and obtained the film’s distribution rights for quite a chunk of change estimated to be around $20 million, according to Variety. Bruised had a world premiere at the virtual Toronto Film Festival this past weekend.
  • Netflix has not commented yet on the reported offer, but a super happy and grateful Berry took to Twitter to show and state her excitement over the deal. She tweeted on Friday, how grateful she was and thankful to Netflix for believing in her vision.

I am speechless. Thank you @netflix for believing in my vision, cannot wait for y’all to finally see #BruisedTheMovie.♥️ https://t.co/t2Ieg3Jpxv via @variety

— Halle Berry (@halleberry) September 11, 2020

  • During production, Berry even suffered a minor injury, breaking two ribs as she trained extensively. This resulted in the production almost being stopped for a few days. Berry will play the lead role of Jackie Justice.
  • After her injury, she kept going; she did not want to stop. Berry stated that she prepared and rehearsed so much and that she was ready. Berry also mentions she had come too far and acted as if her injury was not hurting, she pushed herself, and she made it.
  • She waited and worked hard to get the role, which Blake Lively was initially considered before Berry replaced her. Although she never imagined directing the film until her producing partner mentioned the idea.

Other producers in the film include Basil Iwanyk, Brad Feinstein, Guymon Casady, Erica Lee, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, Terry Dougas, Linda Gottlieb Gillian Hormel. Congratulations!