The Richard Linklater-directed film, Hit Man, co-written by and starring Glen Powell, has found a home on Netflix after generating interest from multiple buyers. Netflix secured the film in a $20 million deal.
Hit Man tells the story of a psychology professor who poses as an undercover hitman for the New Orleans police but finds himself tangled in a web of deception and romance when he breaks protocol to help a woman in need.
The film is based on a true crime article and received positive reviews at the Venice Film Festival. Linklater and Powell have previously collaborated on projects such as Everybody Wants Some and Netflix’s Apollo 10 12.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Linklater praised Powell’s creativity and intelligence, expressing:
“Glen was a great creative partner. He’s a f****** smart guy and he’s so curious about stuff. We could just talk for hours and really dig into the story and details.”
The film was produced by Mike Blizzard, Linklater, Powell, Jason Bateman, and Michael Costigan, with several executive producers involved.
Notably, Hit Man did not have a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement, which allowed streamers to acquire the film without being bound to certain terms. This made it an attractive prospect for Netflix and other streaming platforms.
Despite the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, Hit Man secured a lucrative deal due to its star power, renowned director, positive reviews, and intriguing plot.
