Netflix to premiere new Ricky Gervais comedy film next year

Australian actor Eric Bana is on board to star in Special Correspondents

Netflix will be premiering a new comedy film from Ricky Gervais in 2016 (Getty Images)

Ricky Gervais is set to premiere a new comedy film on Netflix next year.

The British creator of The Office has written and directed Special Correspondents, a remake of Frédéric Auburtin's 2009 movie about a radio broadcaster who fakes live news stories from Iraq.

Gervais will be joined by Australian actor Eric Bana for the New York-set project, which reportedly involves their characters fake being kidnapped by rebels in South America.

“Special Correspondents is classic Ricky Gervais; smart social satire with heart,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix. “It’s the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore, one that’s perfect for Netflix members around the world.”

Netflix has teamed up with Gervais previously, streaming two seasons of his hit Channel 4 series Derek and releasing a special on 3 April.

“Having shaken up the TV industry, Netflix is about to do the same to Hollywood,“ Gervais said in a statement. ”It's great to be part of the changing future. Ted Sarandos is the new Godfather of entertainment, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse.”