Jordan Champions Big Screen Movies Against Streaming Takeover
The Black Panther star joins growing Hollywood resistance to Netflix-Warner Bros merger, defending theatrical releases and communal cinema experiences that define moviegoing culture.
Hollywood's battle over theatrical versus streaming releases has found another champion in Michael B. Jordan. The actor has joined the chorus of industry voices opposing the Netflix-Warner Bros merger, which threatens to reshape how audiences experience movies.
Streaming Giant's Grip Tightens
The Netflix acquisition of Warner Bros has sparked fierce debate across Hollywood. Industry insiders worry about giving a streaming platform control over such a massive film studio. Early reports suggest Netflix plans to slash theatrical windows to just 17 days, a move that could devastate theaters globally.
Jordan addressed these concerns during a recent interview. His upcoming Thomas Crown Affair reboot comes through Amazon MGM Studios, putting him in a unique position to comment on streaming versus theatrical distribution.
The Magic of Shared Experience
"Movies need to be seen on a big screen," Jordan stated firmly. The Creed star believes this fundamental truth drives what makes cinema special.
"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."
Industry Icons Sound Alarm
Jordan isn't alone in his concerns. Avatar director James Cameron recently became the first filmmaker to release four consecutive billion-dollar movies. He's equally passionate about preserving theatrical releases.
"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," Cameron told reporters.
Jack Black has voiced similar worries about cinema's future. The comedy star recently questioned whether theaters might disappear entirely.
"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?'" Black said during a recent interview about his Anaconda reboot.
The Netflix-Warner Bros deal represents more than just corporate restructuring. It could fundamentally alter how movies reach audiences, potentially ending the traditional theatrical experience that has defined cinema for over a century.