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Producer Sues Netflix Over Theft Of Hard Drive Of World War II Espionage Pic ‘Fortitude’
The producer of the World War II espionage film Fortitude has sued Netflix, alleging that the streamer was responsible for the theft of an unencrypted hard drive containing the film after it was delivered for a screening and possible acquisition. The case matters because the missing drive could expose an expensive unreleased film to copying or piracy, although Netflix disputes that it bears the risk of loss.
Producer, writer and financier Simon Afram and production company Op-Fortitude Limited are seeking at least $105 million in damages in a Los Angeles federal court. They say the drive, containing a film that cost more than $45 million to make, was stolen from Netflix’s offices around June 2026; Netflix allegedly informed them on 25 June after a week of thefts. Fortitude, directed by Simon West, stars Nicolas Cage, Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley, Ron Perlman and Michael Sheen.
In short
- Fortitude’s producer alleges Netflix lost an unencrypted film drive.
- The lawsuit seeks at least $105 million.
- Netflix disputes responsibility for the alleged loss.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The producer’s case is that Netflix received the drive for screening and possible acquisition, so it had a duty to safeguard a valuable, unreleased film and should bear responsibility if it was stolen while in its offices. Because the drive was unencrypted, its loss may expose the film to copying or piracy, potentially causing substantial harm that the producer says warrants significant damages.
The case against
Netflix’s position is that it does not bear the risk of loss, and the reported account does not establish that it was legally responsible for the theft. The producer’s claimed losses and requested damages would also need to be supported by evidence; the fact that a costly film was on the drive does not by itself establish the amount of harm caused.
Explained simply
Fortitude is an unreleased World War II espionage film that cost more than $45 million to produce. Its producer and financier, Simon Afram, and the production company Op-Fortitude Limited are suing Netflix after an unencrypted hard drive containing the film was allegedly stolen from Netflix's offices in June 2026.
The filmmakers are seeking at least $105 million in damages in Los Angeles federal court. They claim Netflix failed to protect the hard drive after they delivered it for a possible screening and acquisition deal.
An unreleased film on an unsecured drive poses a significant risk of piracy, which could damage the filmmakers' ability to recoup their investment. Netflix disputes that it bears responsibility for the loss of the drive, creating a dispute over who should absorb the financial consequences of the theft.
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