Rian Johnson responds to Netflix’s CEO’s socket on the fact that theaters are “obsolete”

The tugboat in progress between the theatrical versions and the exclusives in streaming have just obtained another spark, this time for the kind concession of Netflix Co-Cece Ted Sarandos AND Hit director Rian Johnson. At the Time100 summit, Sarandos shared his candid thoughts on cinemas, arousing the pot with a bold statement:

“I realize that we are in a transition period. People grew thinking:” I want to make movies on a gigantic screen and make sure that the strangers look at them and play the theater for two months and people cry and exhausted shows. “Simply doesn’t happen much.

This has certainly triggered an online debate, and now Johnson, who currently prepared It is striking 3officially entitled Wake up Dead ManSarandos’ vision was asked during an interview for Insider. While he was careful not to feed the fire, Johnson clarified his perspective:

“Obviously, because I love movies. I love going to see movies. But also, I have the feeling of talking to Ted, it would be a different thing from a quotation taken and a little throwing myself in this context.

“So I don’t want to express it because I am making a discussion by prosecutor with Ted right here. I think we have seen if you put a film that people want to see in theaters, they will present themselves for this, and that experience of being in a full house and having that experience is so important. It is something I love and I want more in the world.”

Johnson’s passion for the theatrical experience is not new. Also as director whose latest projects are supported by Netflix, probably the face of the streaming revolution, has remained vocal on his desire to see his work on the big screen.

It is not just like Daniel Craigwho returns like Benoit Blanc in the next film, he said it openly “straightens him” that the Hit The films do not get longer theatrical races.

“I want it in the greatest number of salt as long as possible,” added Johnson. “We will push for everything we can get in terms of theatrical because I want as many people as possible to see it in that form.”

To be honest, Sarandos is not trying to cancel cinema completely. He admitted that he likes to go alone, but he is leaning against the data and data tell him that more people choose their sofas on the cinema seats. From his point of view, Netflix is ​​simply adapting to the behavior of the public and “saving Hollywood” embracing what is next.

But is the theatrical experience really disappearing? It is still under discussion. Movies like Sinners AND A Minecraft movie They raked huge box office numbers in 2025, showing that there is still a solid appetite for the traditional big screen experience, when the content affects the right notes.

So, what does this mean Wake up Dead Man? His predecessor, Glass onionHe had a one -week theatrical race and still managed to get $ 15 million, making it the wider theatrical release for an original Netflix.

With the third film that will descend by the end of the year, we will soon discover if Johnson’s thrust for a longer pay theatrical window.

At the end of the day, it is not just a battle of business models, it is how we want to experience stories. Streaming can be convenient, but for some filmmakers and cinema lovers, nothing beats the glow of a projector and the silence of a crowded room.