Netflix to Produce Documentary on Montreal Expos’ 2004 Relocation Out of Canada
Netflix has greenlit a documentary on the Montreal Expos’ relocation out of Canada in 2004, Variety reported Wednesday morning.
Per Variety, the project will be produced in partnership with Attraction, a Montreal-based company that struck a deal with Netflix in November. Jean-François Poisson is set to direct the documentary, which remains untitled and undated.
“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that Attraction announces the first project to result from our partnership with Netflix,” said Richard Speers, president of Attraction, in a statement shared by Variety. “The Expos were the first MLB team outside of the U.S., and despite their departure from Montreal, they continue to have passionate fans to this day. This film will tell the story of the team through the eyes of those who lived it.”
The Expos called Montreal home from 1969 to 2004, at which point they moved to Washington, DC, and became the Nationals.
In their 36 years of existence, the Expos made the postseason just once, failing to do so at all after 1981. The Nationals tacked another seven years onto that postseason drought, but they eventually clinched a playoff spot five times in eight years before winning the World Series in 2019.
Despite the lack of success in their original city, the Expos' departure from Montreal was a controversial topic at the time, and it remains one to this day. Hall of Famers Andre Dawson, Tim Raines, Gary Carter, Larry Walker, Randy Johnson, Vladimir Guerrero and Pedro Martinez – plus longtime manager Felipe Alou – all suited up for the club, which played its home games at the historic Olympic Stadium.
Owner Jeffrey Loria was among the key figures in the team's eventual downfall, which will be documented in Netflix's upcoming film.
Netflix has established strong roots in the sports documentary landscape over the past few years, releasing smash hits such as “Formula 1: Drive To Survive," "Quarterback," "Playbook," "Break Point," "Untold" and "The Last Dance," the last of which was a co-production with ESPN Films.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.
