The latest actor/filmmaker who has jumped from cinema to Netflix, the one and only George Clooney, has talked about the future of the industry post-pandemic ahead of his new film “The Midnight Sky” arriving on the streamer.
Speaking with Deadline recently, Clooney spoke about giving up a traditional theatrical release, that he doesn’t think theaters are going extinct, and that there are far bigger issues in the world to worry about than that.
He revealed Netflix was going to release the film on a few hundred screens until they shuttered, and that he sees streaming and cinema releases co-existing:
“I have to say, I feel as if everybody I think is afraid because of COVID right now that it’s just kicked everything into, okay, goodbye theaters. I don’t believe that to be true. I think we’ve gone through that with television and VHS and DVDs and everything. I don’t think that’s true at all. I think there’s going to be room for all of it.
Look, you can’t constantly say to your significant other let’s just stay home and watch s–t on TV. You’ve got to go out sometimes. I don’t think we’re looking at the end of anything. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to have something like this now, but of course, it is upsetting that it’s not going to be screened on big screens like it was designed.
There’s an awful lot of bigger problems in the world than my not getting my movie seen on a big screen. But I will say that it is awfully nice to have Netflix out there that you can go, okay, I’m going to be able to still see these things, which if it weren’t for them we wouldn’t get the chance to do that. I’ve had nothing but a great experience with them and would do it again in a heartbeat.”
He goes on to defend the streamers, saying filmmakers and actors should be happy that streaming is as prevalent as it is right now as it’s leading to so many projects in production:
“Look, If you’re an actor or a director or a writer or any part of the business end of this, this is nothing but good. There are so many more outlets and ways. If I was a young actor, so many more opportunities for work. I just think it’s all good news, ultimately. I think cinema is going to continue on.
Chris Nolan’s right about writing for the cinemas. Of course we should and we should always do that and we will continue to do that. I think right now it’s a lot to ask people, we’re telling people not to go to Thanksgiving dinner and put their kids in school. It’s hard to say ‘but come see my movie.’”
Clooney also stars in “The Midnight Sky which is expected to arrive on Netflix on December 23rd.