Warner Bros. Heir Voices Unease Over Netflix Takeover
Gregory Orr, grandson of Warner Bros. founder Jack Warner, questions the studio's future after its sale to Netflix, highlighting the value of cinema beyond mere content creation.
Gregory Orr, the grandson of Jack Warner, has raised concerns following the acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix. Speaking last week, before the deal was officially announced, Orr remarked that the prospect of Warner Bros. Discovery being sold left him uneasy. He reflected on the current state of the industry, suggesting that both the studio and Netflix are at a pivotal moment. According to Orr, Netflix would be taking on not only Warner Bros.'s creative leadership but also its renowned cinema distribution network.
Streaming Versus the Big Screen
The streaming platform recently secured Warner Bros. for a reported $82.7 billion, inheriting a catalogue that includes recent successes such as Superman, Sinners, and Weapons. Traditionally, Netflix has opted for limited cinema runs for its films, with releases like Knives Out 3 (also known as Wake Up Dead Man) appearing in select venues for no more than a fortnight.
Orr suggested that Netflix would need to broaden its self-image, moving beyond its reputation as a streaming innovator to become a guardian of the cinema-going experience.
"Watching a screen at home is convenient and pleasurable, but it's not the same as watching a shared screen in a movie theatre. And in this world of fewer shared experiences and growing isolation, being with others in a dark theatre seems a necessary resource for our mental health."
Legacy and the Value of Shared Experience
With the acquisition, Netflix now controls not only Warner Bros. but also HBO, DC Studios, and major franchises such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. Orr expressed his reservations about the direction the industry might take under this new ownership. He argued that reducing the art of film and television to mere 'content' diminishes its cultural significance.
"The idea of only making 'content' is such a low bar for the medium of film and TV,"
he said, likening it to producing art solely to decorate a dentist's waiting room.
Orr's comments highlight a broader debate about the future of cinema and the importance of maintaining spaces for collective viewing. As the industry shifts, questions remain about how these changes will affect both creators and audiences alike.