Michael B. Jordan Champions Cinemas as Netflix-Warner Bros. Shake-Up Looms
Michael B. Jordan throws his weight behind the big screen, highlighting the unique magic of cinemas as the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal stirs up debate in the film world.
The recent agreement between Warner Bros. and Netflix has sent ripples through the film industry, with plenty of folks in Hollywood voicing their concerns. Michael B. Jordan, star of Sinners, has now joined the chorus, weighing in on the potential fallout for cinemas. The main worry? With a streaming giant like Netflix taking the reins of a major studio, the future of traditional film releases could be on shaky ground. Reports suggest Netflix plans to cut the window for theatrical runs down to just 17 days, a move that could spell trouble for cinemas and everyone who relies on them for a living.
During a chat with The Hollywood Reporter, Jordan was quizzed about the Netflix-Warner Bros. situation, especially since his next project, a reboot of The Thomas Crown Affair, is being made with Amazon MGM Studios—another streaming player. The Black Panther actor made it clear he’s all for films being shown in cinemas, saying, “Movies need to be seen on a big screen.” For him, that’s what makes the whole experience special.
The Value of Shared Experiences
Jordan, who’s also known for his role in Creed, explained further:
“As long as the care of film and cinema is a priority at the forefront, that's what I feel is most important right now as an actor, as a director. Movies need to be seen on a big screen. That communal experience is what makes Sinners so great, [what makes] One Battle After Another so great, [what makes] Marty Supreme so great. What makes all these movies so great is that you get a chance to go to theater with people and watch it and have a moment to laugh together, to cry together, to cheer together. That's why I love going to movies is for those storytelling experiences. That's the priority. All the other business stuff is a little bit beyond me.”
He admits the business side isn’t really his area, but his passion for the art form is obvious. Jordan’s stance lines up with plenty of others in the industry who’ve spoken out about the importance of keeping cinemas alive.
Industry Heavyweights Weigh In
The impact of the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal is hard to ignore. With the trend shifting towards streaming, some reckon it could breathe new life into the industry, but there’s also a fair bit of pushback. James Cameron, the bloke behind Avatar and the first director to have four films in a row make over a billion at the box office, didn’t mince words when he shared his thoughts:
“I happen to think that there's something sacred about the movie-going experience and just the ease and broad access of streaming is not the complete answer. Maybe the universe adjusts around those two principles, but you can't just steamroll theatrical out of existence, and I'm going to stay opposed to that.”
Jack Black, known for his comedy chops and recent work on the Anaconda reboot, echoed similar feelings. In a recent interview, he said:
“I'm proud to be in a movie that really plays with live audiences in a big theater, and the premiere was super fun in that way. And I cherish these moments even more now, I'm like, 'Are we in the last days of theater?'”
The Uncertain Road Ahead
Black’s comments tap into a growing anxiety about the future of cinemas. The Netflix-Warner Bros. deal has left many wondering if we’re seeing the beginning of the end for the big screen experience. With more actors like Jordan backing traditional releases, the debate is only heating up. For now, the fate of cinemas hangs in the balance, as the industry waits to see how things play out.