Renowned Avatar filmmaker James Cameron has spoken out against a prospective deal to sell Warner Bros. to the streaming titan Netflix, labeling such a move as “catastrophic for the theatrical ecosystem.”
“I consider myself a humble film artisan. While Ted Sarandos is an astute leader and a visionary innovator, his company’s objectives run fundamentally counter to the interests of the theatrical marketplace. At a time when the U.S. trade deficit is a pressing issue, this move would cripple one of our nation’s most vital export sectors—not to mention the intangible value of our greatest cultural hallmark: cinema. The United States may no longer dominate in steel or automotive manufacturing, but we remain the global vanguard of the film industry. That status will inevitably erode if this proceeds,” Cameron warned in a letter addressed to U.S. Senator Mike Lee.
However, Avengers star Mark Ruffalo challenged the director’s stance, suggesting Cameron’s opposition stems from favoritism toward Paramount—Netflix’s primary rival in the bidding war for Warner Bros.
“Are you equally concerned about the monopolistic power a Paramount acquisition would consolidate? Or is your criticism reserved specifically for Netflix? The creative community deserves a straight answer, and it should be addressed now… We are all watching, representing hundreds of thousands of film professionals across the globe.”
Cameron’s most recent cinematic endeavor, Avatar: Fire and Ash, debuted in late 2025 and has since amassed a staggering $1.47 billion at the global box office.
Review
Movie Review: Avatar: Fire and Ash — Cameron’s Grandiose Ecological Manifesto
January 16 / Text: Olya Smolina
