Billionaire sues Netflix for $105 million over alleged theft of an unreleased Nicolas Cage film, adding a defamation claim

Netflix is facing a new legal dispute tied to the alleged theft of an unreleased Nicolas Cage film, with a billionaire behind the project seeking $105 million in damages and adding a defamation claim, according to Page Six.

The reported complaint stems from the alleged removal of the film from Netflix headquarters in June. The project, as characterized in the filing, is an unreleased movie valued at $45 million, and the plaintiff is described as its writer, producer and financier.

The lawsuit, reported Monday, advances beyond allegations focused on the missing production and seeks additional damages grounded in purported reputational harm. Page Six reports that the same matter includes what it describes as a “bombshell” defamation claim directed at Netflix.

In the report, the defamation allegations are presented as separate from the underlying dispute over the film’s disappearance. The filing reportedly treats the alleged theft and the subsequent statements or conduct as connected to the plaintiff’s claims for monetary relief.

Netflix has not been described in the report with a specific response, and Page Six does not provide details on any denials or on whether the company has moved to dismiss any portion of the complaint. As of publication, the reported allegations remain untested in court.

Legal proceedings tied to entertainment IP theft and related misconduct often turn on questions of proof, including how the film materials were accessed or removed, who had custody during production and storage, and whether any later communications can be shown to be false and damaging under applicable defamation standards.

For now, the practical impact centers on unresolved questions surrounding the film’s status and the scope of potential liability for parties accused of taking or misusing copyrighted material and other production assets, as well as the additional risk of exposure tied to the defamation component.

The case also underscores how quickly disputes over unreleased projects can expand from production security concerns into broader claims affecting litigation posture, legal strategy, and the financial stakes for studios, streamers, and the individuals who fund and develop content.