Paramount to Release JJ Abrams’ ‘Overlord’ Despite Shuffling ‘Cloverfield Paradox’ to Netflix

Deal between Paramount and Netflix was a one-off, insider says

Cloverfield Paradox
Netflix

Paramount Pictures still plans to release future installments in producer J.J. Abrams’ “Cloverfield” series despite offloading “The Cloverfield Paradox” to Netflix for digital release, individuals with knowledge of the series told TheWrap.

That includes the studio’s upcoming WWII-set “Overlord,” which the studio has set for theatrical release on October 26 and that one insider confirmed will be the fourth installment of the sci-fi horror series.

The deal between Netflix and Paramount for “The Cloverfield Paradox” was a one-off “that makes the film immediately profitable,” according to another individual, a welcome injection of cash for a studio that has performed weakly at the box office of late.

The insider added that the studio also thought that a surprise streaming release on the night of the Super Bowl would be in keeping with the sense of mystery that has surrounded every aspect of the “Cloverfield” series from its very first trailer for the original film in 2007, which depicted a decapitated Statue of Liberty and did not include a title.

Of course, the studio may also have been aware of the film’s shortcomings if given a traditional release — particularly in light of the critical reception.

Unlike 2016’s “10 Cloverfield Lane,” critics have panned “Paradox,” giving it a 21 percent Rotten Tomatoes score compared to 90 percent for “10 Cloverfield Lane.”

A spokesperson for Paramount and Abrams declined to comment on this story.

“Overlord,” which is now in postproduction, follows Allied paratroopers in WWII who are shot down behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day and discover that the Nazis are using supernatural forces against them.

Julius Avery directed from a script by Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith. The cast includes Jovan Adepo (“Fences”), Jacob Anderson (“Game of Thrones”), and Wyatt Russell (“Black Mirror: Playtest”).

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