Producer sues Netflix for US$105m over stolen Nicolas Cage war film

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 1, 2026

Producer Simon Afram has sued Netflix for $105 million, claiming the theft of an unencrypted master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film *Fortitude* from Netflix’s studios damaged its commercial prospects. The lawsuit underscores rising concerns over content security and could influence how streaming services and studios are held accountable for protecting unreleased media.

A film producer has filed a lawsuit against Netflix seeking US$105 million in damages after an unreleased Nicolas Cage movie was reportedly stolen from the streaming service’s Hollywood studios. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in California by producer Simon Afram, alleges that an unencrypted master copy of the film, titled *Fortitude*, was taken from Netflix’s possession, compromising the film’s value and distribution prospects.

According to the complaint, the stolen copy threatens to undermine the commercial viability of the movie, as distributors are unlikely to invest in a film that might be readily available on piracy websites. Afram’s legal team contends that Netflix failed to adequately secure the hard drive containing the master copy, despite substantial investments made in acquiring and marketing the film. The suit emphasizes that it would be unreasonable for parties to risk significant financial commitments if the film could be leaked online at any time.

Netflix issued a statement disputing the allegations, asserting that it does not assume risk for content delivered without standard industry safeguards. The company noted that, although it does not hold distribution rights to *Fortitude*, it takes content security seriously and has implemented additional measures to aid the filmmakers. Netflix further stated it is actively investigating the theft and monitoring piracy platforms to prevent unauthorized distribution.

The streaming giant also criticized Afram’s legal approach, accusing his representatives of attempting to extort money through the lawsuit rather than collaborating in good faith. As a result, Netflix declined to share details from its ongoing investigation with Afram’s legal team.

The case highlights ongoing challenges related to content security in the digital distribution era, raising questions about responsibility and liability when unreleased media is compromised. The outcome of the lawsuit could set significant precedents for how studios and streaming platforms manage and safeguard high-value productions in the future.

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