Netflix pays $1 million for five-page short story 'Understudy'
Netflix has shelled out a cool million dollars for the rights to a five-page short story, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The streamer won a bidding war against six other studios for 'Understudy,' a work by author Nicholas Binge.
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's Lord Miller and Steven Yeun's Celadon Pictures are attached to executive produce the series. Per the outlet, Lord and Miller are developing the project with plans to direct its pilot episode.
The short story's plot involves an actor hired for a special job in South Korea. Things take a dark turn when people start dying and crimes occur, leading the actor to discover he's entangled in a vast scheme.
Binge will write the adaptation. Steven Yeun is not currently set to star, though sources told THR the role would be a good fit for him.
The report notes the intense competition for the material, with dozens of producers pursuing it before Netflix's seven-figure deal closed the sale.
