James Bond actor Daniel Craig expressed his frustration with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos at the premiere of Knives Out 2 in 2022. According to a report by Puck journalist Matt Belloni, Craig confronted Sarandos over Netflix’s reluctance to prioritize theatrical releases for its major films.
The conflict between Netflix and Hollywood stems from the streaming service’s decision to focus on streaming rather than traditional theatrical releases. This has caused discontent among some filmmakers and actors who believe that a theatrical release can lead to greater financial success and cultural impact for their projects.
During the TIFF 2022 premiere of Glass Onion, the sequel to Knives Out, Craig used the audience’s standing ovation as proof that the film deserved a wider theatrical release. Sarandos, however, maintained that this was not Netflix’s business model. This disagreement led to a heated exchange between Craig and Sarandos, with Craig reportedly criticizing Netflix’s approach.
The discontent with Netflix’s business model is not limited to Daniel Craig. Actress Margot Robbie and filmmaker Emerald Fennell recently turned down a $150 million deal with Netflix for their upcoming movie Wuthering Heights. They, like Craig, value the cultural impact and exposure that a theatrical release can provide.
Reports suggest that Glass Onion could have made over $600 million worldwide at the box office with a full-length theatrical run and marketing push from Netflix. Despite this, Sarandos has indicated that Netflix’s business model will not be changing any time soon, regardless of the dissatisfaction expressed by some creators in Hollywood.
It seems that the debate between traditional theatrical releases and streaming services like Netflix will continue to be a point of contention in the entertainment industry. While Netflix’s approach has proven successful in many ways, some filmmakers and actors still believe in the power and significance of a theatrical release for their projects.