# Netflix lawsuit over stolen Fortitude film

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/netflix-lawsuit-over-stolen-fortitude-film
> Updated: 2026-08-03T20:22:39.000Z. Sources: 130. Developments: 3.

In late July 2026 Swiss producer Simon Afram and his company Op‑Fortitude filed a civil suit in a California federal court seeking at least $105 million in damages from Netflix. The complaint alleges that an unencrypted digital cinema package (DCP) of the unreleased World War II thriller Fortitude—starring Nicolas Cage, Ben Kingsley and based on the real double‑agent Duško Popov—was hand‑delivered to Netflix’s Los Angeles office on 15 June 2026 and that several hard‑drives, including the master copy, were stolen nine days later, as confirmed in an email from Netflix’s head of film acquisitions, Sean Berney. The producers argue the loss destroys the film’s commercial value, halts distributor negotiations, and could set a precedent for distributor responsibility. They also contend Netflix failed to delete or securely store the copy after review.

Netflix maintains it does not own the rights, that the material was supplied without industry‑standard encryption, and that no unauthorized copy has appeared on piracy sites. The company has launched an internal investigation, involved its security teams, and is monitoring piracy sites, while declining to involve the Los Angeles Police Department. The film, produced over seven years at a cost of roughly $45 million, has yet to secure a distributor, and the case remains pending.

## Claims

- Netflix is being sued for $105 million. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The lawsuit alleges that Netflix lost an unencrypted master copy of the film “Fortitude”. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- “Fortitude” stars Nicolas Cage and Ben Kingsley, among others. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The film cost about $45 million and took seven years to produce. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The DCP was hand‑delivered to Netflix’s Los Angeles office in mid‑June 2026. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Netflix says the copy was unencrypted and that it follows industry‑standard security practices. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- No unauthorized copy of the film has been found on piracy sites. (corroborated by 10 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Netflix faces $105 million lawsuit over stolen master copy of Nicolas Cage film

Netflix is sued in California for $105 million after an unencrypted master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude” was stolen from its Los Angeles office, with plaintiffs alleging negligence and a

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-faces-105-million-lawsuit-over-stolen-master-copy-of-nicolas-cage-film

### 2026-08-01: Netflix sued for $105 million over loss of unreleased Nicolas Cage film 'Fortitude

Netflix faces a $105 million lawsuit in California over the theft of an unencrypted master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film “Fortitude”, which cost $45 million and took seven years to make.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-sued-for-105-million-over-missing-master-copy-of-unreleased-nicolas-cage-film

### 2026-07-30: Netflix sued for $105 million after theft of Nicolas Cage film 'Fortitude

Netflix faces a $105 million lawsuit after an unencrypted master copy of the unreleased Nicolas Cage film Fortitude was stolen from its Los Angeles office; Netflix denies liability and is monitoring piracy.

117 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netflix-sued-for-105-million-over-stolen-nicolas-cage-film

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Cite as: Netflix lawsuit over stolen Fortitude film. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/netflix-lawsuit-over-stolen-fortitude-film