Tom Cruise’s Next Film Faces Uncertainty After Netflix-WB Merger

The recent union between Warner Bros. and Netflix has left many in the industry questioning what lies ahead for major theatrical releases, particularly those already in the pipeline. Among the most notable is Tom Cruise’s forthcoming collaboration with director Alejandro G. Iñárritu, a project that has attracted considerable attention. The streaming giant’s chief executive, Ted Sarandos, has made his position on the matter quite clear, casting a shadow over the prospects of a conventional cinema debut for this high-profile production.

Streaming Versus the Silver Screen

Back in April, Sarandos reiterated his scepticism towards the established model of film distribution, favouring home viewing over the traditional cinema experience. During the Time100 Summit, he remarked:

What is the consumer trying to tell us? That they’d like to watch films at home, thank you. The studios and the theatres are duking it out over trying to preserve this 45-day window that is completely out of step with the consumer experience of just loving a film

This stance has inevitably raised questions about the fate of Cruise’s new venture, currently operating under the working title Judy. The film marks the first output from Cruise’s 2024 agreement with Warner Bros., a deal that was intended to see him develop and produce both original and franchise features for the big screen. Now, with the merger underway, the future of such releases appears less certain than ever.

Conflicting Philosophies and Industry Tensions

Cruise has long been a vocal supporter of the cinema experience, while Netflix’s business model is built around streaming. This fundamental difference in approach is at the heart of the current uncertainty. The actor’s partnership with Warner Bros. was designed to champion theatrical releases, but the new corporate landscape may not be as accommodating.

Although the expectation is that the Iñárritu-directed film will still reach cinemas, there is speculation that Cruise may reconsider his involvement with the studio if the traditional release model is compromised. The contrast between Netflix’s priorities and Cruise’s commitment to the big screen makes for a rather uneasy alliance, and it remains to be seen how this will play out in practice.

Will the Traditional Release Window Survive?

Despite Sarandos’ reservations, he has indicated that upcoming Warner Bros. titles are still set for theatrical release, at least for the time being. He stated:

I’d say that right now you should count on everything that has planned on going to the theatres through Warner Bros. will continue to go to the theatres through Warner Bros. And Netflix films will take the same [path] as they have — which is some of them do have a short run in the theatre beforehand.

However, he also suggested that the length of these release windows is likely to shrink over time. For now, Cruise’s project appears to be safe, but the long-term outlook for similar films is far from guaranteed. Unless Netflix allows Warner Bros. to maintain its established approach, it is doubtful that Cruise, a staunch advocate for the cinema, will remain involved in future projects under the new regime.

Looking Ahead

The working title Judy is currently scheduled for release on 2 October 2026. The industry will be watching closely to see whether this much-anticipated film will enjoy the full theatrical run its star and director no doubt hope for, or if it will become another casualty of the shifting sands in film distribution.