Netflix is facing a $105 million lawsuit after the reported disappearance of a master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film Fortitude. The lawsuit, filed in California federal court by writer and producer Simon Afram and his production company Op-Fortitude, alleges that the streaming company failed to safeguard the film after it was delivered for distribution consideration.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the master copy was hand-delivered to Netflix’s Sunset Bronson Studios office on June 15, 2026, after the company expressed interest in acquiring the movie’s distribution rights.
Netflix Confirmed Drives Were Stolen
The lawsuit cites an email from Netflix’s Head of Film Acquisitions, Sean Berney, sent on June 25, confirming that multiple storage drives had been stolen from the company’s office.
Berney wrote:
“This is a first for us… Unfortunately, someone stole a good amount of drives from our office desks this past week.”
He added that Netflix’s security and piracy teams were investigating the incident and monitoring for potential leaks.
According to the complaint, Netflix declined to involve the Los Angeles Police Department during its internal investigation. The plaintiffs argue that losing the master copy could significantly affect the film’s ability to secure another distribution deal.
Netflix has not publicly commented on the allegations. However, attorneys representing the company reportedly described the lawsuit as a “hostile attempt to extort money.”
As of publication, Fortitude has no confirmed release date, and The Hollywood Reporter noted that the missing master copy has not surfaced on piracy websites.
