LEAD CASTING COMPLETED ON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENTS

NETFLIX TO RELEASE ORIGINAL FILM NEXT YEAR

Beverly Hills, CA, June 5, 2015 - Lead casting has been completed on Special Correspondents, a new original feature film for Netflix written and directed by Ricky Gervais and starring Eric Bana (Deliver Us From Evil, Lone Survivor) and Gervais (Muppets Most Wanted, Derek) about a struggling New York based radio journalist, whose arrogance and decadent lifestyle has hindered his career. With his job on the line he fakes front line war reports from the comfort of his hideout above a Spanish restaurant in Manhattan.

Joining Gervais and Bana in the modern satirical comedy are Vera Farmiga, Kelly Macdonald, Kevin Pollak, America Ferrera, Raúl Castillo and Benjamin Bratt. Principal photography began in Toronto on May 19 and will wrap in New York City on July 3. The film will debut on Netflix next year.

The film is a co-production between Bron Studios and Unanimous Entertainment. Ricky Gervais, Unanimous' Chris Coen, Bron's Aaron L. Gilbert, Manuel Munz and Larry Sanitsky will produce.

Vera Farmiga, who can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed series Bates Motel, received an Academy Award nomination for best performance in her supporting role opposite George Clooney in Up in the Air. Kelly Macdonald, known to audiences from her role as Margaret Schroeder in HBO's award-winning Boardwalk Empire, also starred as the voice of Merida in Brave. Kevin Pollak's many co-starring roles include an award-winning turn in The Usual Suspects as well as Casino and the Grumpy Old Men films. America Ferrera, best known for her titular role in the popular series Ugly Betty, also starred as the voice of Astrid in How to Train Your Dragon and How to Train Your Dragon 2. Raúl Castillo co-starred in HBO's Looking and the independent feature films Cold Weather and My Best Day. Benjamin Bratt is known for his roles in such series as Modern Family, 24: Live Another Day and Modern Family, as well as the voice of Manny in the features Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.

Creator and star of The Office, Extras, and Derek, Gervais has won three Golden Globes, two primetime Emmys and seven BAFTAS. The Office is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes. Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin, Gervais is an award winning stand-up comedian, has hosted the Golden Globes three times and has written, directed and acted in the films Cemetery Junction and The Invention of Lying.

Eric Bana is one of Australia's best known actors and began his career as a comedian in the sketch comedy series Full Frontal before winning critical acclaim in the biographical crime film Chopper. Since then, Bana has starred in such films as Munich, Black Hawk Down, Hulk, The Time Traveler's Wife, Hanna, and Star Trek. He has received Australia's highest film and TV awards for his performances and will next be seen in director Jim Sheridan's The Secret Scripture, Guy Ritchie's Knights of the Round Table: King Arthur and The Finest Hours.

PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Bill Lake, America Ferrera, Meghan Heffern, Kelly Macdonald, Ari Cohen, Ricky Gervais, Vera Farmiga, Mimi Kuzyk, Erica Bana, Kevin Pollak, Raúl Castillo. Photo courtesy of Netflix