As the future of Warner Bros. hangs in the balance, filmmaker James Cameron has weighed in with unusually sharp clarity — and his comments leave no mystery about where he stands when it comes to WB, Paramount, and Netflix.
In a new conversation with The Town’s Matt Belloni, Cameron dismissed the idea of a Netflix acquisition outright, calling the streamer’s approach to theatrical filmmaking fundamentally incompatible with the needs of a major studio. His remarks arrive at a time when Paramount’s David Ellison is believed to be one of the leading bidders for the company.
David Ellison talks to Bloomberg – YouTube, Bloomberg Podcasts
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Because Cameron’s comments touch both on Warner Bros.’ future and longstanding industry tensions over streaming, the remarks have quickly drawn attention from industry insiders — especially his blunt assessment of Netflix’s theatrical model. And throughout his discussion, Cameron directly and indirectly claimed that the theatrical experience should remain central to the future of a legacy studio like Warner Bros.
Cameron: Netflix Buying Warner Bros. Would Be “A Disaster”
Cameron didn’t mince words regarding Netflix gaining control of Warner Bros.
“Netflix would be a disaster,” he said. “Sorry, Ted [Sarandos], but geez. Sarandos has gone on the record saying theatrical films are dead. ‘Theatrical is dead. Quote, unquote.’”
The Logo for Netflix – Netflix
Cameron went further, criticizing the streamer’s well-known strategy of placing films in theaters for only a week or so in order to gain Oscar eligibility — a practice many in Hollywood have long viewed as a workaround rather than a genuine theatrical commitment.
When Belloni pointed out that Netflix has stated it will still release WB films in theaters if they manage to snag the studio, Cameron dismissed the claim outright.
“It’s sucker bait,” he said. “‘We’ll put the movie out for a week or 10 days. We’ll qualify for Oscar consideration.’ See, I think that’s fundamentally rotten to the core. A movie should be made as a movie for theatrical, and the Academy Awards mean nothing to me if they don’t mean theatrical. I think they’ve been co-opted, and I think it’s horrific.”
James Cameron speaks to Vanity Fair – YouTube, Vanity Fair
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He argued that if the streamer truly wanted to compete at the Oscars, its films would require real box-office exposure.
“They should be allowed to compete if they put the movie out for a meaningful release in 2,000 theaters for a month.”
Cameron Has Worked With David Ellison Before — And Strongly Supports Him
When the conversation turned to David Ellison — the head of Skydance and one of the leading contenders in the Warner Bros. sale process — Cameron had nothing but praise. The two previously collaborated on Terminator: Dark Fate, a partnership Cameron has spoken highly of in past interviews.
David Ellison in an interview with Bloomberg – YouTube, Bloomberg Podcasts
When asked about Ellison’s Paramount purchasing Warner Bros., Cameron offered a clear endorsement.
“I think he’s the best possible choice,” he said.
Cameron’s perspective aligns with the general view across Hollywood that Warner Bros. — a studio built on theatrical tentpoles and generational franchises — requires stable, cinema-centered leadership moving forward.
Why Cameron’s Opinion Matters
Few directors have had more impact on theatrical exhibition than James Cameron. Titanic and Avatar remain two of the highest-grossing films in history, and Cameron’s techniques and innovations have pushed cinemas to adopt new formats, technologies, and exhibition standards.
A screenshot from Avatar: The Way of Water – YouTube, Avatar
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His criticism of Netflix echoes a debate that has been ongoing for nearly a decade: Should films intended to compete for Hollywood’s biggest awards also maintain a meaningful presence in theaters?
Netflix famously fought the Academy on this issue before adjusting its strategy, though critics — Cameron included — argue the streamer still prioritizes its platform above any meaningful theatrical footprint.
James Cameron in an interview with GQ – YouTube, GQ
As Warner Bros. entertains potential buyers, Cameron’s blunt perspective reinforces a broader industry sentiment: whoever takes over the storied studio will need to keep cinemas at the core of its strategy. And in Cameron’s view, David Ellison is the one equipped — and willing — to do exactly that.
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