Congratulations to Netflix on the great PR they are getting. For a move not expected to occur for 10 months, Netflix has caused an uproar in the movie industry with their latest move. Their plan to offer a theatrical release of a film at the same time it plays on IMAX movie screens. And movie theater owners are fighting mad.
According to The New York Times, "Two major theater chains, Regal Cinemas and Cinemark, said Tuesday that they would not screen next year’s sequel to “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the first major motion picture that will make its debut simultaneously on Netflix and on a select number of Imax screens." So their IMAX screens will not show the film. Netflix probably doesn't care in the least. Exclusivity only makes their distribution platform stronger.
Still the question remains how this move affects the other partner, The Weinstein Company, who is producing this sequel. How will this collaboration with Netflix play out in future releases for the film company? Will Regal, Cinemark, and others decide to not screen another Weinstein film to show their displeasure toward the company? Or will other film companies follow Weinstein and offer a similar distribution deal with Netflix? We may just see this move as the start of a new distribution strategy. Regardless, disruption is at work and Netflix awareness is growing.
