Reed Hastings Is Executive Producing His First Film — but It’s Not a Netflix Project
- - - Reed Hastings Is Executive Producing His First Film — but It’s Not a Netflix Project
Todd SpanglerJuly 14, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Reed Hastings, co-founder, chairman and former CEO of Netflix, has signed on as an executive producer of Costa Rica-set crime thriller “52nd State” — his first official credit as a producer on a film or TV show.
However, “52nd State” is not a Netflix production. The indie film is co-written and directed by Todd Yellin, a former longtime Netflix exec who served as VP of product before he exited in 2022 to pursue a career as a filmmaker.
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According to the production’s reps, Hastings’ decision to join the project was “deeply personal” and driven by his attraction to the film’s “bold, high-stakes storytelling” and his long relationship with Yellin. Hastings, after 25 years at the helm of Netflix, in January 2023 stepped down as CEO of the company and now serves as chairman.
“At Netflix, Todd poured his creative energy into shaping the product experience and pioneering our personalization efforts — work that helped storytellers connect with millions,” Hastings said in a statement. “Now, he’s channeling that same passion into ’52nd State.’ I’m proud to invest into his return to filmmaking, and excited to see him bring his vision to life on screen.”
Hastings continued, “What I love about ’52nd State’ is that it’s not just a gripping thriller — it also digs into the complicated space where the American and Latin American worlds collide. This kind of global storytelling has always meant a lot to me, and this film really delivers on that.”
“52nd State” is currently in production in Bogota, Colombia, with Bogota-based production company Jaguar Bite providing production services. The film, which is set “against the lush backdrop of Costa Rica,” follows an IT worker who discovers his job is a front for a criminal operation that scams elderly Americans. Risking everything, he sets out to dismantle the network and protect his younger brother.
The film’s ensemble cast is led by Moisés Arias (Amazon’s “Fallout,” “Monos”) and Teresa Ruiz (“Narcos: Mexico,” “Mo”) and also includes Ignacio Diaz-Silverio (“Primo,” “New Years Rev”) and Augusto Aguilera (“Too Old to Die Young,” The Predator”).
The film is being produced by Fernando Ferro, a Venezuelan American who is leading the film’s Latin American production, and Jay Van Hoy (“The Witch,” “The Lighthouse”) alongside Yellin. In addition to Hastings, “52nd State” executive producers are Phil Kumin, Regina Solorzano, Valentina Bove, Simon Beltran and Juan Pablo Solano.
Ferro commented: “Reed’s belief in this story — and in the artists bringing it to life — is a powerful affirmation. His support for a film led by a remarkable Hispanic cast and rooted in the complexities of Latin America is not just meaningful — it’s galvanizing. It tells our team, and the world, that these stories matter, that our talent belongs at the center, with narratives born from our communities.” Van Hoy added, “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with genre-defining filmmakers and I know that the right partnerships can help transform their visions into lasting, unforgettable cinema. Todd Yellin is one-of-one. He brings that rare blend of bold storytelling, ambition, and emotional truth to ’52nd State,’ charged with razor-sharp suspense. With Reed Hastings joining us, Todd now has the resources and creative freedom to set a new standard in crime cinema.”
Moisés Arias is represented by Independent Artist Group and Myman Greenspan. Teresa Ruiz is represented by Innovative Artists, Eliseo Ruiz, and Hirsch Wallerstein. Augusto Aguilera is represented by Independent Artist Group and Anonymous Content. Ignacio Diaz-Silverio is represented by Gersh and Brookside Artist Management. Director Todd Yellin and producers Fernando Ferro and Jay Van Hoy are represented by Andrew Randone of the BALA Firm.
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