Chris Rock returns to stand-up after eight-year hiatus

Comedian Chris Rock has landed two stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

Executives at the streaming service reportedly shelled out $40 million to secure the legendary funnyman for the exclusive deal and the company's Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos couldn't be more excited about what's to come.

“Chris Rock is a beloved actor and director, and his remarkable stand-up makes him comic royalty," Sarandos tells Variety in a statement on Thursday (13Oct16). "There is no one like him, and Netflix offers the global platform and creative freedom that will serve as a perfect home for someone with his incredible talent."

Rock has not put out a televised show in this format since his fifth HBO network stand-up special Kill the Messenger, which earned him an Emmy Award, aired in 2008, and the 51-year-old couldn't be happier about returning to the stage to crack jokes in front of a live audience.

“I’m very excited to be working with Ted and Lisa and all the good people at Netflix," Chris says, giving a shout out to Lisa Nishimura, Netflix's Vice President of Original Documentary and Comedy who also had a hand in the deal. "I can’t wait to get back on stage.”

Rock has not offered up any clues as to the material he'll be presenting when he graces the stage for the specials, but the content is expected to be controversial as ever following his headline-grabbing turn as the host of the 88th Academy Awards in February (16).

Netflix bosses have been upping the ante when it comes to stand-up comedy programming recently, as the streaming service now offers stand-up specials from comedians such as John Mulaney, Hannibal Buress, Morgan Murphy, Louis CK, Mike Birbiglia, Maria Bamford, Aziz Ansari, Patton Oswalt and Jen Kirkman, among others.