Fresh off their success with GREYHOUND, which Apple TV+ boasted led to a 30% spike in viewers new to the service this week, the premium streamer has acquired the rights for the Justin Timberlake drama PALMER. The film, which is directed by Fisher Stevens, co-stars Juno Temple, June Squibb (who had a mysterious part in the recent PALM SPRINGS), Alisha Wainright, and young Ryder Allen in his screen debut.
According to Deadline, "The movie, written and executive produced by Cheryl Guerriero, whose script appeared on the 2016 Blacklist, follows a former college football phenomenon named Eddie Palmer (Timberlake) who, after a stint in prison, returns to his hometown to get his life back on track. There, he faces not only lingering conflicts from his past but also a much more surprising challenge as he finds himself suddenly in charge of a unique young boy who has been abandoned by his wayward mother."
It's no surprise that Apple's building up its premium slate, with them having recently paid a cool $120 million for the rights to the Will Smith/ Antoine Fuqua slave drama EMANCIPATION, plus their deal with Paramount for Martin Scorsese's KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, which is set to star Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro (their first teaming since THIS BOY'S LIFE in 1993), Jake Gyllenhaal's SNOWBLIND and more. Plus, they've got Sofia Coppola's ON THE ROCKS with Bill Murray and Rashida Jones due out this year. Yikes! It looks like as far as movies go, Netflix may have a bit of (friendly?) competition coming up. Either way, as subscribers we win!