Streaming stars: The stellar names working with Netflix and Amazon (pictures)
Streaming services are putting their money into backing the next films and TV shows from a galaxy of big names.
Richard Trenholm Aug. 13, 2015 7:18 a.m. PT
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The story goes that Kevin Spacey bought a Netflix subscription for the "Manhattan" and "Annie Hall" director so he could watch Spacey's Netflix show "House of Cards". It's a bit of a coup then that Amazon has secured Allen's first ever TV series. "I don't know how I got into this. I have no ideas and I'm not sure where to begin," said the writer, actor, director and jazz musician.
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The creator of "The Office" and "Extras" will direct and star in "Special Correspondents" for Netflix. Eric Bana's in it too.
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Angelina Jolie Pitt
The Oscar-winning actor will direct for Netflix an adaptation of "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers", a memoir by Cambodian author and human rights activist Loung Ung about her struggles under the Khmer Rouge regime.
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Sophia Coppola will direct the deadpan former "Saturday Night Live" icon and an all-star cast in "A Very Murray Christmas" for Netflix, guests including George Clooney, Amy Poehler, Chris Rock and Miley Cyrus.
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The "Wolf of Wall Street" star will produce a series of environmental documentaries for Netflix.
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The "Do the Right Thing" director's next feature, the Chicago-set "Chi-raq", is backed by Amazon.
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Having left long-running and globally-beloved BBC motoring show "Top Gear" after a fracas over a sandwich, Clarkson (centre) has signed for Amazon with his sidekicks James May (left) and Richard Hammond (right).
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Having apparently retired from directing movies, the "Out of Sight" auteur is producing '80s-set "Red Oaks" for Amazon, starring Craig Roberts and helmed by David Gordon Green.
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Action star Yeoh returns to the role that brought her to the attention of western audiences 15 years ago in Netflix's first ever feature, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" sequel "The Green Legend".
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The "Fight Club" star will play an army general in "War Machine", directed by "Animal Kingdom" helmer David Michôd. The film is based on the best-selling book "The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan" by Michael Hastings.
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Baz Luhrman
The "Moulin Rouge" director is working with "The Shield" creator Shawn Ryan on "The Get Down" for Netflix, a drama exploring the music of New York in the early days of hip-hop.
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The "Alien" and "Blade Runner" director is producing visually-stunning Philip K Dick adaptation "The Man in the High Castle" for Amazon.
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The "Arrested Development" star, who also voices the main character in Netflix original show "Bojack Horseman", will write and star in "Flaked" for the same service.
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Bob Odenkirk and David Cross
After appearing in "Breaking Bad" and "Arrested Development" respectively, the "Attack of the Show" pair return to sketch comedy in Netflix show "With Bob and David".
Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson
The loveable scamps from "That '70s Show" play brothers in comedy "The Ranch" for Netflix, also starring Sam Elliot.
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The "Heathers" star will appear in supernatural drama "Montauk" on Netflix. With "Show Me a Hero" on HBO and "Beetlejuice 2" on the cards, is this the start of the #Winonaissance?
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Cary Fukunaga
The director of the first series of "True Detective" will give the orders to Idris Elba in "Beasts of No Nation" on Netflix.
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The "Fifty Shades of Grey" star will play a soldier in '60s-set war drama "Jadotville" for Netflix.
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The "12 Monkeys" director has infamously struggled to secure Hollywood backing for his stunning, off-kilter visions in the past, but now he has found a home at Amazon.
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The irascible Boston comic writes and lends his vowels to animated sitcom "F is for Family", also starring the voices of Laura Dern and Justin Long.
Christopher Guest
The comic genius behind "Spinal Tap" and "Best in Show" will next explore the world of "Mascots" in a Netflix show.
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Gerard Depardieu
Depardieu plays politics in "Marseille", the first French-language original show from Netflix. French novelist and screenwriter Dan Franck is in charge.
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The stand-up comic and "Parks and Recreation" star appears in sitcom "Master of None" in November 2015.
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Former "Doctor Who" star Smith will appear in the first British production from Netflix, royal history drama "The Crown". American actor John Lithgow will play Winston Churchill.
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Four episode documentary series "Chelsea Does" will tackle marriage, racism, technology and drugs, before Handler launches a talk show for Netflix in 2016.
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The "Knocked Up" director has created "Love" with Lesley Arfin. Netflix has ordered two series, which will feature "Community" star Leslie Jacobs.
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"The Wedding Singer" star's next four movies will be exclusively available on Netflix.
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The indie auteur has signed a deal with Amazon.