Rian Johnson Defends Theatrical Releases Against Netflix CEO's Claims

Rian Johnson, director of the Knives Out series, publicly disagrees with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' assertion that movie theaters are 'outdated,' affirming his love for the theatrical experience and the communal aspect of watching films on the big screen. Johnson emphasized that the success of recent blockbusters like Sinners and A Minecraft Movie demonstrates audiences still value and attend movies in theaters when the content is compelling. While promoting both Poker Face season two and his upcoming Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man, Johnson expressed his desire for the new film to receive as wide and prolonged a theatrical release as possible, despite Netflix's typical emphasis on streaming. Johnson acknowledged that his views may differ from Sarandos' comments, suggesting that context is important and not wishing to frame the discussion as a direct debate. Sarandos, speaking at the TIME100 Summit, reiterated his belief that most viewers prefer to watch movies at home, but admitted that theatrical releases still hold appeal for some. Ultimately, whether Wake Up Dead Man will have an extended theatrical run remains to be decided by Netflix.