An unreleased Nicolas Cage film has become the centre of an extraordinary legal battle after a copy of the movie was allegedly stolen from Netflix's Los Angeles offices.
The World War II thriller, Fortitude, has prompted a $105 million (£78 million) lawsuit against the streaming giant, with producer Simon Afram claiming that the loss of the film's master copy has seriously damaged its commercial prospects. The case has attracted attention not only because of the huge amount being sought, but also because the movie had not yet been released to audiences.
The film reportedly had a production budget of more than $45 million (£33 million) and took seven years to bring to the screen, making the alleged theft particularly damaging for those behind the project.
What Happened to Nicolas Cage's Fortitude?
According to the lawsuit, the filmmakers provided Netflix with an unencrypted master copy of Fortitude in June 2026 after the company expressed interest in the film.
The movie was supplied so Netflix executives could screen it internally. However, just nine days after the copy was delivered, the filmmakers were reportedly informed that several hard drives had been stolen from desks inside Netflix's Hollywood offices.
One of those drives allegedly contained the copy of Fortitude. Netflix later confirmed that the film had been viewed internally before the theft, according to reports surrounding the lawsuit.
The incident has raised questions about how an unreleased film was protected while in the possession of one of Hollywood's biggest entertainment companies.
Why Is Netflix Being Sued for $105 Million?
The lawsuit, filed by Afram, seeks $105 million in damages. The producer argues that the theft has potentially undermined the film's value because prospective distributors could be concerned that the movie might eventually appear on piracy websites.
That concern goes beyond simply losing a physical storage device. According to the legal claims, the stolen copy could affect the film's ability to secure distribution, generate revenue and receive the worldwide release that its creators had been planning.
The lawsuit reportedly argues that the situation has also put potential promotional and awards plans at risk, with the filmmakers claiming that the damage extends to the cast and creative team who spent years working on the project.
Importantly, the $105 million figure is the amount of damages being sought in the lawsuit. It is not the production budget of Fortitude. Reports put the film's budget at more than $45 million.
Netflix Disputes Responsibility
Netflix has pushed back against the allegations and disputes the idea that it should be held financially responsible for the loss of the movie.
A Netflix spokesperson said the company does not own the rights to Fortitude and argued that the film was delivered without what it described as proper industry-standard safeguards. The company has also said that it takes content security seriously and has been assisting with an investigation into the theft.
Netflix has reportedly offered support to the filmmakers, including monitoring known piracy websites for possible unauthorised distribution of the stolen material.
The competing accounts mean the central issue in the case is likely to be whether Netflix should be responsible for the consequences of the stolen copy and, more broadly, who carried the risk once the film was handed over for screening.
Nicolas Cage Leads a Star-Studded Cast
Fortitude is a World War II spy thriller directed by Simon West, the filmmaker behind movies including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and The General's Daughter.
Nicolas Cage stars in the film alongside an impressive supporting cast that includes Matthew Goode, Michael Sheen and Ben Kingsley. The story is centred on British intelligence operatives during the Second World War, giving the project a historical espionage angle rather than the more conventional action format associated with some of Cage's recent films.
For audiences who have been waiting to see the completed movie, however, there is still a major question hanging over the project: whether Fortitude will ultimately reach cinemas or streaming platforms.
The Film's Future Remains Unclear
The filmmakers' biggest concern is the potential impact on the movie's distribution. A completed film normally represents an important asset that can be marketed, sold to distributors and eventually released internationally.
In this case, the alleged theft has introduced an unusual complication. The producers claim that potential buyers may be reluctant to acquire the film if they believe an unauthorised copy could surface online.
Netflix, meanwhile, says it is taking steps to assist the filmmakers and monitor piracy threats while disputing liability for the alleged losses.
For now, Fortitude remains an unreleased Nicolas Cage movie caught in an increasingly unusual Hollywood legal dispute. A project that took years to complete and millions of dollars to produce has suddenly found itself at the centre of a fight over digital security, distribution rights and who should bear the consequences when an unreleased film disappears.
The $105 million lawsuit is ongoing, and the eventual outcome could have implications beyond Fortitude, particularly for how unreleased films are handled when they are shared with potential distributors and streaming companies.
