Netflix reveals June release and poster for new Spike Lee drama 'Da 5 Bloods'

Netflix has unveiled a new poster for Spike Lee’s war movie Da 5 Bloods and announced its worldwide release for 12 June.

The film is the director’s first movie since he won his first competitive Oscar for 2018 true-life tale BlacKkKlansman, following a black cop infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan.

Lee has penned the script for Da 5 Bloods with regular collaborator Kevin Willmott, as well as Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo.

Read more: Spike Lee stormed out when Green Book won Oscar

The director debuted a first teaser poster for the movie on Twitter, as well as announcing the global release on the streaming platform.

Da 5 Bloods follows a group of African-American veterans of the Vietnam War who return to the country years later.

The official film synopsis reads: “They are in search of the remains of their fallen squad leader and the promise of buried treasure.

“These heroes battle forces of humanity and nature while confronted by the lasting ravages of the immorality of the Vietnam War.”

Read more: Lee responds to Donald Trump racism allegations

Chadwick Boseman leads the cast, which also features Paul Walter Hauser, Norm Lewis, Delroy Lindo, Clarke Peters, Giancarlo Esposito and Isiah Whitlock Jr.

The film is Lee’s first feature project for Netflix, but he previously worked with rival streamer Amazon for his 2015 movie Chi-Raq and adapted his film She’s Gotta Have It into a Netflix series.

Many had expected Da 5 Bloods to arrive much later in the year, positioning it in a prime spot to compete in the Oscars race.

However, Netflix is strategically deploying its packed slate throughout the year while cinemas remain closed as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

Read more: Films available to stream early due to coronavirus

The film will remain eligible for Oscars, despite the lack of any theatrical release, after the Academy changed its rules in the wake of the unique circumstances created by the global pandemic.

Da 5 Bloods will arrive on Netflix all over the world on 12 June.