Though it's common to see TV networks ordering up another season of a TV show to show off their confidence in it before it even airs, it's rarer for that to happen with a would-be movie franchise. But Netflix, who operates however they want to because they have the money to do it, has already ordered a sequel to its upcoming movie Bright. Directed by David Ayer and written by Max Landis, the movie stars Will Smith and Joel Edgerton as a human and an orc who are paired up in the LAPD in a magical future. But Netflix, it seems, believes in it.

According to Bloomberg, Netflix is looking to go toe-to-toe with the big studios when it comes to a fantasy franchise. One coup the streaming company does have, though, is Smith, who will reportedly be returning for the sequel:

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Image via Netflix

“Bright” is the company’s first attempt at a big-budget Hollywood production, bringing together a bona fide movie star in a fantasy, buddy-cop tale that could have come from any studio playbook. Directed by David Ayer, who also made “Suicide Squad,” it’s a warning shot to studios and theater owners that Netflix is targeting a big chunk of the $38.6 billion global box office. To underscore the commitment, the company has already ordered a sequel with Smith signed on.

Netflix can quite literally afford to take plenty of big chances, so we'll see how viewers react to Bright regarding a sequel -- but odds are that Netflix is mostly hoping it does well internationally. But who knows because we'll never see the numbers!

Bright also stars  Noomi RapaceLucy FryEdgar RamirezIke BarinholtzEnrique MurcianoJay HernandezAndrea NavedoVeronica NgoAlex MerazMargaret ChoBrad William HenkeDawn Oliveri, and Kenneth ChoiBright will be released on Netflix on December 22nd, but be on the lookout for Vinnie Mancuso's review.

Here’s the official synopsis:

Set in an alternate present-day, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds (Ward, a human played by Will Smith, and Jakoby, an orc played by Joel Edgerton) who embark on a routine patrol night that will ultimately alter the future as their world knows it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything.

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Image via Netflix
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Image via Netflix
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Image via Netflix