Netflix and The Weinstein Co. (TWC) have signed a deal to release "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend," the sequel to Ang Lee's 2000 Oscar-winning martial arts film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," simultaneously on Netflix and in select Imax theaters around the world, The Hollywood Reporter reported.
The sequel will be available on Aug. 28, 2015 at no additional fee to Netflix subscribers, and will be the first of several major films to be given a day-and-date release on Netflix and in some Imax theaters, according to The New York Times.
"The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement," said TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein in a statement. "We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story."
As Netflix's chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a keynote last year at the Film Independent Forum in Los Angeles, the streaming service has long been eyeing day-and-date releases of movies, Variety reported.
"Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty," Sarandos said in the same statement. "We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with Imax, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film."
Greg Foster, senior vice-president of Imax Corp. and CEO of Imax Entertainment, hopes that the sequel will perform well in China, where Netflix isn't available. "In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way," Foster added in the statement.
Michelle Yeoh will reprise her role as Yu Shu-Lien, along with Donnie Yen as Silent Wolf, in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend." Other cast includes Harry Shum Jr., Jason Scott Lee, Roger Yuan, Eugenia Yuan and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
The flick, which is based on the "Iron Knight, Silver Vase" novel by Wang Dulu, is directed by martial-arts choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping from a script penned by John Fusco.
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend" is produced by Harvey Weinstein and Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey. Morten Tyldum, Ralph Winter, Anthony Wong and Bey Logan are executive producing.