“Depending on ‘Mank’s’ reception, I’ll either go see [Netflix executives] sheepishly asking them what I can do to redeem myself or take the attitude of the arrogant asshole who’ll require making other films in black and white,” Fincher quipped about what he will do next for “Netflix” after “Mank.” “No, I’m here to deliver them ‘content’ — whatever it means — likely to bring them spectators, in my small sphere of influence.”

As for why Fincher decided to make Netflix his home for an exclusive period, the director said it largely had to do with increasing his output. As the filmmaker explained, “I signed this Netflix deal also because I’d like to work like Picasso painted, to try very different things, to try to break the shape or change the operating mode. I like the idea of ​​having a body of work. And yes, I admit that it feels strange, after 40 years in this profession, to only have 10 films under my belt. Well, 11, but 10 that I can say are mine. Yes, objectively, it is a pretty terrifying observation.” Fincher’s filmography adds up to 11 films if you count his feature directorial debut “Alien 3,” but the director has long disowned that project and thus only counts 10 films in his filmography to date. Fincher has been working as a director since 1980, starting in music videos for a decade before transitioning into filmmaking in the 1990s. “Mank” will be streaming on Netflix starting December 4. Fincher is in development on a second season of “Love, Death & Robots,” but he revealed last month that “Mindhunter” would not be returning for a second season. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.