Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is just not pleased with James Cameron’s letter in opposition to the streaming platform over its bid to amass Warner Bros studio and terming it “disastrous”. Pushing again in opposition to the remarks, Sarandos mentioned he was “shocked and disenchanted” that Cameron selected to align with what he described as a disinformation marketing campaign surrounding the proposed deal.
Ted Sarandos hits again at James Cameron
Sarandos addressed Cameron’s remarks in a letter penned to Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who chairs the Senate’s subcommittee on antitrust. He talked about that an earlier letter from the director “knowingly misrepresents our place and dedication to the theatrical launch of Warner Bros. movies.”
Sarandos’ letter follows an earlier be aware to Lee from Cameron, who mentioned the sale of Warner Bros.’ movie studio and streaming service to Netflix “shall be disastrous for the theatrical movement image enterprise that I’ve devoted my life’s work to.”
“I just lately learn the letter that James Cameron despatched you about our deal to amass Warner Bros. studios and HBO from Warner Bros. Discovery — and particularly the influence he believes it should have on theaters. I respect Mr. Cameron enormously and I really like his work. However his letter to you knowingly misrepresents our place and dedication to the theatrical launch of Warner Bros. movies,” Sarandos wrote within the letter.
He continued, “Once you and I met — and once more once I testified underneath oath earlier than the subcommittee — I clearly mentioned that we’ll proceed to launch Warner Bros. movies in theaters with a 45-day unique window, precisely as they’re right now. This isn’t a tentative aim or a versatile guideline; its a tough quantity and a agency dedication. I mentioned the identical factor to Mr. Cameron after we met on December 20, 2025, shortly after we introduced our settlement to amass Warner Bros. Throughout that assembly we talked about Netflix’s plans for Warner Bros., together with our 45-day dedication. Mr. Cameron was very supportive. If something, he was extra excited to speak concerning the at-home film viewing glasses he’s growing with Meta than unique home windows for theatrical films.”
“Mr. Cameron’s letter doesn’t replicate any of this. He incorrectly means that we have solely pledged a17-day window as a substitute of a 45-day one, fails to accurately describe the deal Netflix has reached and ignores the intense penalties for the trade if Paramount Skydance’s proposal is accepted,” he added.
The Netflix CEO additionally spoke to Fox Enterprise concerning the matter, saying, “I’m significantly shocked and disenchanted that James selected to be a part of the Paramount disinformation marketing campaign that’s been happening for months about this deal.”
Sarandos talked about that he was “shocked by the letter”, saying, “ have talked about that dedication within the press, numerous instances. I swore underneath oath in entrance of the Senate subcommittee on antitrust that that’s what we have been doing.”
What did James Cameron say
In a letter to Senator Mike Lee, James Cameron wrote in opposition to Netflix’s deliberate acquisition of Warner Bros. Cameron, the person behind blockbusters akin to Avatar, Titanic, and The Terminator, mentioned that the acquisition could be ‘disastrous’ for the film enterprise.
“I consider strongly that the proposed sale of Warner Brothers Discovery to Netflix shall be disastrous for the theatrical movement image enterprise that I’ve devoted my life’s work to. After all, my movies all play within the downstream video markets as nicely, however my old flame is the cinema,” Cameron wrote within the letter, as quoted by Selection.
“Theaters will shut. Fewer movies shall be made. The job losses will spiral,” the filmmaker warned within the letter, including, “The enterprise mannequin of Netflix is immediately at odds with the theatrical movie manufacturing and exhibition enterprise, which employs tons of of hundreds of People. It’s due to this fact immediately at odds with the enterprise mannequin of the Warner Brothers film division, one of many few remaining main film studios.”
The filmmaker additionally shared that the US could now not “lead in auto or metal manufacturing, however it’s nonetheless the world chief in films. That can change for the more serious”.
Final yr, Netflix introduced that it might purchase Warner Bros., together with its movie and tv studios, HBO Max and HBO. At the moment, it was revealed that the money and inventory transaction was valued at $27.75 per WBD share, together with a complete enterprise worth of roughly $82.7 billion (fairness worth of $72.0 billion). For the reason that announcement, Netflix has been lively in addressing considerations across the deal.