James Cameron Writes Letter To Lawmakers Stating Why Netflix Buying Warner Bros. Would Be 'Disastrous'

TV & Film

Feb 22

*James Cameron*
Image Source: BGNES News Agency

Netflix’s acquisition of Warner Bros. hasn’t been finalized yet, but filmmakers across Hollywood have been voicing serious concerns regarding the ramifications of such a deal. In a letter to Senator Mike Lee, chair of the Senate subcommittee on antitrust, James Cameron said, “I believe strongly that the proposed sale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix will be disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business that I have dedicated my life’s work to.”

The Avatar and Titanic filmmaker continues, “Of course, my films all play in the downstream video markets as well, but my first love is the cinema.” Cameron fears that a lower number of big-budget films, such as his own, would become a reason for theaters to close down. He fears that “Theaters will close. Fewer films will be made. The job losses will spiral.” He believes that Netflix’s deal for Warner Bros. would be directly responsible for this disastrous outcome.

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In his letter, Cameron contends, “The business model of Netflix is directly at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans,” and “It is therefore directly at odds with the business model of the Warner Brothers movie division, one of the few remaining major movie studios.” Senator Lee answered, “We have received outreach from actors, directors, and other interested parties about the proposed Netflix and Warner Brothers merger, and I share many of their concerns. I look forward to holding a follow-up hearing to further address these issues.” Cameron also believes that, in the long run, this merger will harm Hollywood’s position as the world’s leading movie industry.

Cameron is not alone in voicing his concerns about the deal. In the past few months, big names, including Christopher Nolan, have come forward with their own reasons why Netflix’s deal spells doom for the film industry.

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