Scott Stuber, the chairman of Netflix film since 2017, will be departing from the streaming giant in March to start his own media company. This move has been anticipated for some time, as rumors circulated about Stuber’s differing philosophy compared to Netflix’s focus on streaming and making premium movies. While other streaming platforms have embraced a theatrical first window for their big-budget films, Netflix’s business plan revolves around global streaming without the need for extensive marketing and distribution expenses.
Stuber, who grew up at Universal and has a background in producing, will be launching his own company that is likely to follow a more traditional format, starting with theatrical releases. With his experience and industry connections, Stuber has been instrumental in transforming Netflix’s film slate. He has overseen the acquisition, development, or production of some of the streamer’s biggest movies, including “Red Notice,” “Bird Box,” “Hustle,” “The Adam Project,” and “The Irishman.”
One of Stuber’s notable achievements at Netflix has been his ability to attract top filmmakers to collaborate with the streaming platform. Directors such as Alfonso Cuarón, Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, and Greta Gerwig have worked with Netflix under Stuber’s leadership. The platform’s bets on star-driven films have also grown larger, with movies like “Red Notice” and “The Gray Man” reaching budgets of over $200 million.
During Stuber’s tenure, Netflix became the most nominated studio at the Academy Awards for three consecutive years. Although they have yet to win Best Picture, Netflix remains a strong contender in the race with films like Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro.” Apple recently became the first streaming platform to win Best Picture with “CODA,” but Netflix continues to make significant strides in the industry.
Before joining Netflix, Stuber had an impressive track record in the film industry. He produced successful movies like “Ted,” “Central Intelligence,” and “Safe House” while at Bluegrass Films. Prior to that, he served as the vice chairman of worldwide production at Universal Studios, where he was responsible for acclaimed films such as “A Beautiful Mind,” “Seabiscuit,” and the “Fast and Furious” franchise.
In a statement, Stuber expressed gratitude for the opportunity to create a new home for original movies at Netflix. He thanked the filmmakers and talent who trusted him to tell their stories and expressed excitement about continuing to work with the Netflix team in the future. Ted Sarandos, Netflix co-CEO, praised Stuber for his leadership in revolutionizing the movie industry and attracting exceptional creative talent to the platform. Bela Bajaria, Netflix Chief Content Officer, also commended Stuber’s accomplishments and expressed a desire to find new ways to collaborate in the future.
Scott Stuber’s departure from Netflix marks the end of an era for the streaming giant’s film division. As he embarks on his own media company, industry insiders will be watching closely to see how Stuber’s traditional approach to filmmaking will fare in an increasingly digital landscape. With his experience and success in producing commercially successful and critically acclaimed films, Stuber is poised to make a significant impact on the industry once again.