Netflix Inks Four-Picture Deal With Duplass Brothers, New Animated Comedy From BoJack Horseman Team

Netflix has bolstered its original film and TV show offerings with two new deals: a four-picture deal with the Duplass Brothers, and a new animation series from the team behind BoJack Horseman.

Variety brings news of the former, reporting that the first film has already wrapped production, and will release later this year. Created by the Duplass Brothers and Ray Romano, and starring Mark Duplass and Romano, it's described as "a bittersweet bromance and centres on themes of friendship, mortality, and made-up sports". The film is Alex Lehmann's second directorial venture, who co-wrote it with Mark Duplass.

“Turns out when you make films for Netflix, millions of people all over the world watch them. This is not a terrible thing for an independent filmmaker,” the Duplass Brothers said in a statement. “As Netflix continues to grow and develop new ways to reach viewers, we couldn’t be more thrilled to grow our partnership.”

“Jay and Mark are the most enterprising filmmakers in the business,” Ian Bricke, director of independent films at Netflix, added. “They have embraced Netflix as much as our subscribers have embraced their films. Having worked with Mark and Jay for over a decade, we have huge admiration for their creative passion and filmmaking smarts. We are thrilled for this next chapter of our relationship.”

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Meanwhile, the animation series is called Tuca & Bertie, with Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip) voicing the former lead character. Bertie has yet to be cast. According to Netflix's official announcement, it's "a comedy about the friendship between two 30-year-old bird women who live in the same apartment building: Tuca, a cocky, care-free toucan, and Bertie, an anxious, daydreaming songbird".

Lisa Hanawalt (BoJack Horseman) is the creator of Tuca & Bertie, which will have a total of 10 episodes in the first season. Hanawalt and Haddish will also executive produce alongside BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg, and BoJack execs Noel Bright (Friends) and Steven A. Cohen (Jack & Bobby).