Cinema Boss Blasts IMAX's "Nuclear Option" to Force Theaters to Screen Netflix's Narnia

In a letter obtained by Variety, Tim Richards, the founder and CEO of Vue Entertainment, the largest privately owned cinema operator in Europe, has strongly criticized IMAX's controversial deal with Netflix to give Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated "Narnia" film an exclusive two-week theatrical run on its screens.

Richards asserts that the deal, first announced in January, will "undermine the very ecosystem that makes theatrical success possible." He argues that millions of families who would love to watch "Narnia" in theaters will be "needlessly deprived" of the opportunity, as the film will only be available on the roughly 1% of screens worldwide that are IMAX.

Furthermore, Richards points out that IMAX is threatening a "nuclear option" to force theaters to show the film, even if they wish to respect the established theatrical release window. He notes that Gerwig's previous film, "Barbie," managed to achieve phenomenal box office success without an IMAX release, proving the format is no longer the most technically advanced premium large format (PLF) option.

Richards concludes by stating that the industry should never try to convince audiences that there is only one way to enjoy a great film, and that collaboration with studios, not exclusivity deals, is the key to delivering the best experience for customers.