Noah Baumbach has ended his long-term creative partnership with Netflix to sign a new multi-year feature film agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures. The three-year, first-look pact will officially begin in 2027, marking a major shift for the Oscar-nominated writer and director after five years of streaming exclusivity.
As part of the announcement, Noah Baumbach has set up his inaugural project under the studio’s newly established specialty division, Warner Bros. Clockwork. He will write, direct, and produce the upcoming feature. While specific plot descriptions remain closely guarded, sources familiar with the script state that the narrative follows two college students navigating New York City. Unlike his recent streaming projects, the untitled film is guaranteed a wide theatrical release.
The movie will be produced alongside high-profile industry mainstays. David Heyman—who previously collaborated with Noah Baumbach on Marriage Story and Jay Kelly—is on board to produce, alongside Margot Robbie’s production banner, LuckyChap Entertainment. LuckyChap Entertainment already maintains its own first-look feature contract with Warner Bros., positioning the project as a major alignment of the studio's top creative partners.
A Return to Traditional Theatrical Releases
The transition represents a significant pivot for Noah Baumbach's distribution model. Since entering an exclusive arrangement with Netflix in 2021, the filmmaker's last four features—The Meyerowitz Stories, the Best Picture-nominated Marriage Story, White Noise, and the upcoming George Clooney and Adam Sandler vehicle Jay Kelly—all debuted directly on the streaming platform.
While streaming allowed for substantial production budgets, it limited Noah Baumbach's traditional cinema footprint. The upcoming Clockwork indie label project will mark his first wide theatrical release distribution since his 2015 Fox Searchlight comedy Mistress America.
The move back to the big screen reunites Noah Baumbach with a studio where he recently enjoyed historic commercial success. He co-wrote the 2023 blockbuster Barbie alongside his partner Greta Gerwig. The film went on to gross $1.4 billion globally and earned the duo an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Inside Warner Bros. Clockwork
Warner Bros. first unveiled its Clockwork imprint at CinemaCon under the leadership of former Neon marketing executive Christian Parkes. The division was created to serve as an auteur-driven sanctuary for independently produced, lower-budget films intended for global theatrical release rollouts. The label functions similarly to legacy specialty arms like Universal's Focus Features or Disney's Searchlight Pictures.
Securing a filmmaker of Noah Baumbach's caliber establishes Clockwork as an aggressive competitor in the modern independent film market. The label's maiden acquisition was Sean Baker’s Anora follow-up, Ti Amo!, which the studio purchased for a reported $22 million following Sean Baker’s historic sweep at the 97th Academy Awards.
Clockwork's expanding production slate also includes:
- The Devils: A brand-new 4K restoration of Ken Russell's controversial 1971 cult classic, scheduled to play in select North American theaters.
- The Brigands of Rattlecreek: A starry Western from director Park Chan-wook, reportedly starring Matthew McConaughey, Austin Butler, and Pedro Pascal.
- Nasty: A gymnastics-centered drama from director Mary Bronstein, set to star Jenna Ortega and Rose Byrne.
Industry Shifts and What Happens Next
Noah Baumbach’s departure comes amid broader structural transformations across major Hollywood distribution networks. Under former film chief Scott Stuber, Netflix aggressively financed high-concept auteur pieces. However, under current film head Dan Lin, the streamer has reportedly modified its strategy to prioritize more populist, broad-appeal projects. Though Netflix recently signaled an increased willingness to report box office numbers for select titles, the allure of guaranteed, exclusive theatrical release windows remains a powerful draw for traditional directors.
Warner Bros. Discovery has confirmed the signing but declined to comment on specific budget allocations or casting timelines for Noah Baumbach's project. Production on the New York City-based college drama is tentatively expected to begin in early 2027, aligning with the official start date of Noah Baumbach's first-look studio contract.
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