Netflix Exec Dan Lin Rejects Theatrical‑Only Directors

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- Dan Lin told the New York Times that Netflix will not work with filmmakers who still want theatrical releases.
- Scott Stuber previously sought broader theatrical releases for Netflix films by auteurs such as Guillermo del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron, and pursued cinema purists like Christopher Nolan.
- Sally Field pushed to debut “Remarkably Bright Creatures” in the fall for Oscar chances, but Lin argued a Mother’s Day release was better, and the film has stayed in Netflix’s Top 10 for a month.
- Netflix continues to offer theatrical releases for select films, including David Fincher’s “The Adventures of Cliff Booth,” slated for IMAX screening in December.
- Netflix spokesperson declined to comment on Lin’s remarks.
Why it matters: Filmmakers who insist on theatrical releases lose a key streaming partner, while Netflix retains release‑window control; the month‑long Top 10 run of “Remarkably Bright Creatures” and the December IMAX debut of “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” show the shift toward streaming.




