Brad Pitt has signed a deal with Netflix to produce and star in online comedy 'War Machine'

The deal means Netflix has agreed to fund and distribute the film and the joint business venture is said to be worth $30 million and is the combined efforts of his Plan B production house and the service.

A senior box office analyst told the New York Daily News newspaper: "No big screen star is going to completely give up the big screen, but it's just a natural evolution of how content is delivered and how the audience consumes it. The ability for Netflix to reach into so many homes and be on so many devices has become very appealing to a star or producer."

This could be the beginning of a new era for the distribution of movies and Brad Pitt - who is married to actress Angelina Jolie - could pave the way for a new future for the film industry in the online world.

The film will be based on top-seller novel 'The Operators: The Wild and Terrifying Inside Story of America's War in Afghanistan' and sees Pitt play General Stanley McChrystal, once a commander of US forces in Afghanistan.

The movie is set to start shooting in August, and 'Animal Kingdom' helmer David Michôd will take on directing duties.

Netflix have confirmed 'War Machine' will be eligible for Oscar and an Emmy nominations, despite not having a conventional release.