Netflix Offers Halle Berry $20M For Her Directorial Debut 'Bruised'

Halle Berry has received a massive offer from Netflix for her directorial debut, "Bruised."

Sources familiar with the deal told Variety that the actress was offered a sum close to $20 million by streaming giant Netflix for the worldwide distribution rights to "Bruised," in which Berry also plays the leading role.

Berry confirmed the news on her Twitter, posting, "I am speechless. Thank you @netflix for believing in my vision, cannot wait for y’all to finally see #BruisedTheMovie."

However, neither Berry nor Netflix has confirmed when the movie will be released on the streaming platform.

Written by Michelle Rosenfarb, "Bruised" is an MMA drama that follows the story of disgraced fighter Jackie “Justice,” who has to "conquer her own demons, face one of the fiercest rising stars of the MMA world, and ultimately fight to become the mother [her 6-year-old son, Manny] deserves," according to Deadline.

"Bruised" will screen as a work in progress at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Back in July, Berry shared a teaser for "Bruised" on Instagram and confirmed that she will premiere her directorial debut at the 2020 TIFF.

"It’s OFFICIAL. The #TIFF2020 lineup has arrived, and I’m so proud of the incredible cast and crew that got us here. Here’s an exclusive sneak-peek of Bruised, my directorial debut. #BruisedTheMovie," she wrote.

During her interview with Variety for its TIFF preview issue, the Oscar winner revealed that production for "Bruised" was almost halted after she got injured and suffered two broken ribs. However, she was determined to finish filming the project, which was first announced in 2018.

"I didn’t want to stop because I had prepared for so long," Berry said. "We had rehearsed; we were ready. So my mind, my director’s mind, was just — keep going. And I compartmentalized that, and I just kept going: ‘I’m not going to stop. I’ve come too far. I’m going to act as if this isn’t hurting. I’m going to will myself through it.’ And so we did."

"I definitely feel like there’s a turning point," she explained. "I’m more encouraged that as women, we are feeling confident enough to tell our stories. And there is a place for us to tell our stories. For so long, our experiences have been told narratively through the guise of men.”

Berry revealed that she felt she had to fight for her roles and that there was no place for someone like her in the industry. Despite winning the 2002 Oscar trophy for best actress for her performance in "Monster's Ball," the movie offers didn't come. In fact, she said it got harder for her to score roles.

"They call it the Oscar curse. You’re expected to turn in award-worthy performances," Berry explained.