Streaming service acquires Toronto-shot Ricky Gervais film

TORONTO — Video streaming service Netflix has bought the global rights to the upcoming made-in-Toronto movie from Ricky Gervais.

Gervais will direct and star in Special Correspondents, an adaptation of Frédéric Auburtin’s comedy Envoyés Très Spéciaux.

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In the satirical comedy, a radio reporter (Eric Bana) and his technician (Gervais) fake their own kidnapping and hide out in New York City.

Gervais, 53, is the award-winning creator of The Office, Extras and Derek. He is half-Canadian through his late father Lawrence.

Bana previously made 2009’s The Time Traveler’s Wife in Toronto.

Special Correspondents, which will debut next year, is co-produced by Vancouver’s Bron Studios. It is scheduled to shoot in Toronto from May 19 to June 29. Additional filming will take place in New York City.