Director James Cameron has written to Republican Senator Mike Lee to denounce the potential consequences of a merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the filmmaker, such a deal would permanently weaken theatrical distribution and threaten thousands of jobs related to film production and distribution.
In this letter, submitted during parliamentary hearings on competition issues, the author of Titanic and the saga Avatar He believes that the streaming leader's business model is based on a logic incompatible with that of traditional studios. He particularly fears a shortening, or even marginalization, of theatrical releases in favor of priority distribution on streaming platforms.
The future of cinemas is at the heart of concerns
Netflix, for its part, has stated its intention to maintain a 45-day theatrical window and increase investment in production. However, James Cameron questions the sustainability of these commitments, fearing that priorities will shift once the deal is finalized. In his view, a decrease in the number of theatrical releases would trigger a domino effect: cinema closures, reduced filming, difficulties for visual effects companies, and an overall contraction of the available film offerings.
Beyond the fate of the exhibitors, the project also raises questions about competition, given the combined weight of the two groups in global entertainment. Warner Bros. Discovery has opened discussions with another contender, while maintaining its current preference. Shareholders are expected to vote at a meeting scheduled for March.
