Netflix has reportedly dropped Kathryn Bigelow’s upcoming project based on David Koepp’s 2022 novel Aurora. The project was initially announced ahead of Koepp’s book release with Bigelow making her directorial return after the 2017 crime drama Detroit. The filmmaker is celebrated for her work on movies like The Hurt Locker and Zero Dark Thirty and has also been the first woman to win a Best Directing Oscar.
However, recent reports have revealed that the streaming giant has decided not to move forward with the film following Bigelow’s exit, as it shifts its focus toward projects aimed at capturing a vast audience.
Netflix Is No Longer Moving Forward With Kathryn Bigelow’s Aurora Adaptation
A new report from The New York Times has revealed that the streaming giant Netflix has abandoned the film based on David Koepp’s 2022 novel Aurora. The film was reportedly set to mark the acclaimed filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow’s directorial return.
Aurora follows the story of a divorced mother who must protect her teenage daughter and estranged brother during a solar storm that disrupts humanity’s power grids. While not many details surrounding the adaptation have been revealed, previous reports have stated that the project was eyeing an estimated budget of $100 million.
However, two years after announcing the film, the streamer decided to pull back. The New York Times also revealed that the Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow had already departed from the project several months earlier, although the reasons for her exit were not provided.
While it does not state a particular reason for its cancelation, the outlet highlighted the changes instigated by the new film chief, Dan Lin. He has reportedly reorganized the film department by genre and focused on diversifying movie offerings to appeal to its vast subscriber base.
Dan Lin is Reportedly Reorganizing the Film Department at Netflix
Since assuming the role of Netflix’s new film chief on April 1, 2024, Dan Lin has implemented several changes at the streaming giant. Earlier reports hinted at potential layoffs and a restructuring of the film department.
At The New York Times, the streamer has reorganized the film department based on genre rather than budget level, with a focus on enhancing film quality over relying solely on big-budget action films. The film chief is reportedly focused on expanding the range of films, catering to the diverse tastes of their 260 million subscribers.
Additionally, the streaming platform is moving away from offering substantial upfront deals to talent, leveraging its established dominance in the streaming market to attract renowned filmmakers without the need for excessive payouts.
Lin has a history of collaboration with Netflix, having worked together on projects like The Two Popes and the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series. He is renowned for his work as a producer on successful ventures such as the Lego movie franchise.
