# Lawsuit against Netflix over stolen film

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lawsuit-against-netflix-over-stolen-film
> Updated: 2026-08-21T21:27:12.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Producer Simon Afram and his company, Op-Fortitude, filed a $105 million federal lawsuit in California against Netflix following the theft of hard drives from the company’s Hollywood headquarters. The stolen drives contained an unencrypted Digital Cinema Package (DCP) of the unreleased World War II thriller ‘Fortitude,’ starring Nicolas Cage and Ben Kingsley.

The plaintiffs allege that Netflix’s negligent handling of the unencrypted material compromised the film’s exclusivity and commercial value. They claim the file was delivered for an internal screening with instructions for its subsequent deletion, but the loss was not reported to the crew until ten days after a theft occurred. The lawsuit includes claims of breach of contract and defamation after Netflix characterized Afram’s demands as ‘extortionist.’

Netflix has denied liability, arguing that the delivery of an unencrypted copy did not meet industry standards and that it disputes bearing risk for films delivered without ‘industry-standard safeguards.’ While the company acknowledged the theft of several hard drives in an email to the filmmakers, it maintains it is not responsible for the loss. 

The Los Angeles Police Department is currently investigating the disappearance of the film, which reportedly cost $45 million to produce. The theft allegedly occurred between mid-June and late June, with an unencrypted master copy reportedly taken from an office desk.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: Netflix faces $105M lawsuit over missing Nicolas Cage film

The LAPD is investigating the disappearance of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film ‘Fortitude’ from Netflix offices. Producer Simon Afram is seeking $105 million in damages following the alleged theft.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-faces-105m-lawsuit-over-missing-nicolas-cage-film

### 2026-08-09: Netflix sued for $105M over lost Nicolas Cage film

Netflix faces a $105 million lawsuit after a hard drive containing the unreleased Nicolas Cage film

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-sued-for-105m-over-lost-nicolas-cage-film

### 2026-08-06: Netflix sued over theft of unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude”

Netflix faces a $105 million lawsuit after an unencrypted copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude” was stolen from its Los Angeles office.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-sued-over-theft-of-unreleased-nicolas-cage-film-fortitude

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