After a lacklustre box office run, the Cate Blanchett–Michael Fassbender spy thriller ‘Black Bag’ is set to find a new audience on streaming. Directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by David Koepp, the film explores loyalty, espionage, and betrayal — now premiering on Peacock.
Washington DC, April 25 – Acclaimed filmmaker Steven Soderbergh’s espionage drama ‘Black Bag’ is making its way to OTT. The film will stream exclusively on Peacock from May 2, giving viewers who missed the theatrical release another chance to catch this star-studded spy thriller.
Written by David Koepp, ‘Black Bag’ features an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Rege-Jean Page, Marisa Abela, Naomie Harris, Pierce Brosnan, and Tom Burke. The narrative centers on George Woodhouse (Fassbender), an intelligence officer torn between his country and his wife Kathryn (Blanchett), who is suspected of treason.
Originally released in theatres on March 14, the film failed to make a significant impact at the global box office, despite its stellar lineup. The tepid response has reignited concerns about the viability of mid-budget, star-driven adult dramas in theaters.
In an interview with Deadline, Soderbergh expressed disappointment over the trend:
“If a mid-level budget, star-driven movie can’t seem to get people over the age of 25 to come out to theatres — if that’s truly a dead zone — then that’s not a good thing for movies.”
He added that such patterns could severely restrict opportunities for directors and storytellers aiming to make films for mature audiences, stating, “What’s gonna happen to the person behind me who wants to make this kind of film?”
Soderbergh, known for classics like Erin Brockovich and Traffic, even suggested that such films might struggle to get made today.
Meanwhile, the director is already in post-production for his next film, ‘The Christophers’, a black comedy starring Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel.