Netflix will debut a new feature movie written and directed by British comedian Ricky Gervais

THE latest original production being rolled out by Netflix will be a new feature movie written and directed by British comedian Ricky Gervais.

Ricky Gervais

NETFLIX will debut a new feature movie written and directed by British comedian Ricky Gervais in 2016.

Special Correspondents, will star Australia’s Eric Bana and is the latest in a growing stable of original productions being rolled out by the online video streaming service.

The film will be based around a radio reporter who files fake news about a faraway war from the comfort of a Manhattan hide-out.

“It’s the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore, one that’s perfect for Netflix members around the world,” said Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos.

A statement released by Netflix gave no specific release date, but described the film as “classic Ricky Gervais; smart social satire with heart”.

Showbiz trade journal Variety reported in October Special Correspondents would be a remake of a 2009 French comedy, Envoyes Tres Speciaux, by director Frederic Auburtin.

It will be the first film that Gervais — best known for the original British version of the hit television sitcom The Office — has directed since his 2010 comedy Cemetery Junction.

Netflix’s ever-expanding roster of original output stretches from the political drama House of Cards to children’s shows and documentaries to be co-produced with Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio.