Tom Cruise’s Next Blockbuster Faces Uncertain Future After Netflix-WB Merger

With Warner Bros. and Netflix joining forces, there’s a fair bit of chatter about what’s next for films hitting the big screen—especially with Tom Cruise’s latest project in the mix. The much-hyped collaboration between Cruise and director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, currently going by the working title Judy, is now under the microscope as the industry wonders if the traditional cinema release is on the chopping block.

Streaming vs. Cinema: The Ongoing Tug-of-War

Back in April, Netflix boss Ted Sarandos made his position on streaming crystal clear. At the Time100 Summit, he didn’t mince words about his views on the old-school cinema model, saying:

What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch films at home, thank you. The studios and the theatres are duking it out over trying to preserve this 45-day window that is completely out of step with the consumer experience of just loving a film

This attitude has thrown a spanner in the works for Warner Bros.’ upcoming slate, including Cruise’s new venture. The 2024 deal between Cruise and WB was all about making original and franchise films for the big screen, but with Netflix now calling the shots, there’s a real question mark over whether that’s still the plan.

Clashing Philosophies: Cruise’s Love for the Big Screen

Cruise has always been a champion for the cinema experience, while Netflix’s business model leans heavily towards streaming. It’s a bit of an odd couple, and with the merger underway, it’s anyone’s guess how things will play out. The expectation is that Judy will still get a run in cinemas, but if Netflix starts trimming back on theatrical releases, Cruise might not stick around for future projects.

There’s a clear divide between how Netflix and Cruise see the future of films. If the new regime doesn’t keep the cinema-first approach, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Cruise walk away after this one.

Will the Traditional Release Window Survive?

For now, it looks like the film will make it to cinemas, with Sarandos noting he’s not totally against the big screen. He did, however, point out that he’s not a fan of the long, exclusive cinema runs that Warner Bros. has favoured in the past. According to him, these windows are likely to get shorter over time, but for the moment, things are set to go ahead as planned for upcoming WB releases.

I’d say that right now you should count on everything that has planned on going to the theatres through Warner Bros. will continue to go to the theatres through Warner Bros. And Netflix films will take the same [path] as they have — which is some of them do have a short run in the theatre beforehand.

Looking further ahead, it’s hard to see Cruise—one of the loudest voices for the cinema experience—sticking with the studio if Netflix shakes up the release model too much. Judy is pencilled in for release on 2 October 2026, but what happens after that is anyone’s guess.