It’s no secret that Netflix has been slowly expanding their focus from original TV shows to include feature films as well. Last year they made a couple of big announcements after acquiring the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon sequel and landing a four movie development deal with Adam Sandler. They’ve continued to add some other projects to their slate since then but this week they may have just secured their biggest release yet. Netflix has acquired distribution rights to one of Brad Pitt’s next movies as both an actor and producer, a satirical comedy called War Machine to be directed by David Michod (Animal Kingdom, The Rover). Chief content officer Ted Sarandos had this to say about the announcement:

“War Machine is a rip-roaring, behind-the-facade tale of modern war decision-makers, from the corridors of power to the distant regions of America’s ambitions. Brad and David are a perfect team to make this timely, compelling and entertaining film.”

For his part, Pitt added: “We are so excited to be a part of the inspiring commitment by Netflix to produce cutting-edge content and to deliver it to a global audience.” The movie is based on the bestselling book The Operators: The Wild And Terrifying Inside Story Of America’s War In Afghanistan by Michael Hastings. Pitt will play a fictional four-star general modeled after Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Although this sounds like a big deal because it is a Brad Pitt movie, it is also the kind of movie that probably wouldn’t find a huge audience theatrically and seems to have trouble getting funded these days. In that sense, it’s a perfect fit for all parties involved. It will still be Netflix’s biggest investment in feature films to date (an estimated $30 million). War Machine is expected to debut on Netflix in late 2016. Do you think this deal could be a “game changer” for the movie industry?