Finally, there is peace in the streaming galaxy as a roving band of rebels have made it to their destination just as the prophecy foretold. In English? Rogue One is coming to Netflix.
The news it's notable as Rogue One is officially the first non-animated Star Wars film to come to Netflix. It's hitting the service in July, The Verge reports.
It's part of deal that old deal Disney and Netflix signed that would bring a slew of Disney stuff -- including Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Pixar properties -- to the streaming service. That means you'll see those films on Netflix before Hulu or Amazon and before pay-TV networks like HBO, though the film has already been available for rent and purchase on iTunes.
Why Rogue One and not another Star Wars film? The Netflix agreement applies to Disney films released in 2016 onward; The Force Awakens was released in the final days of 2015 and thus, at least for U.S. audiences, fell under Disney's previous deal with Starz.
And the "2016 and onward" part of the deal excludes the first six Star Wars saga films, though it's worth noting Disney only owns five of the six films -- 21st Century Fox still owns A New Hope.
There has been one Star Wars film streaming on Netflix: the animated 2008 Clone Wars movie which saw a theatrical release in 2008 and launched the animated Clone Wars television series. Besides its release date, the fact that the film was produced by Warner Brothers also separates it from the Disney deal.
Still, Rogue One is a big get for Netflix which should give it a nice boost in the ongoing streaming wars.
Now, if only someone will start streaming Ewoks: The Battle For Endor.
