Netflix's Wild Hollywood Takeover Given Thumbs Down By Iconic Director

A key figure in Hollywood is against Netflix's billion-dollar acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD).

James Cameron, one of the highest-grossing film directors of all time, penned his grievances about the deal in a recently unveiled letter to Utah Senator Mike Lee.

The creator of the "Avatar" franchise argued that allowing Netflix to take over Warner Bros. Discovery's film studio and streaming assets would negatively impact Hollywood and the era of theatrical releases.

James Cameron Stands Against Netflix's Acquisition Of Warner Bros. Discovery

In a newly released letter dated February 10, 2026, Cameron urged Sen. Lee to join him in opposing Netflix's acquisition of WBD. The renowned director penned a lengthy letter filled with his arguments against the purchase of the film studio and its streaming assets.

Cameron began by noting his "44-year directing career has been focused on making movies for theatrical exhibition." On that note, he argued "that the proposed sale of Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix will be disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business that I have dedicated my life's work to."

Cameron, per the letter obtained by CNBC, noted that seeing movies in theaters is a key part of American culture and "being one of our biggest exports, in purely economic terms." He strongly believed that letting Netflix have its way would not only destroy a decade-long tradition but also lead to significant losses.

The 'Titanic' Director Says The Merger Will Change The Movie Industry For The Worse

Cameron stressed that Netflix's business model was "at odds with the theatrical film production and exhibition business, which employs hundreds of thousands of Americans." He believed many would lose their jobs if the streaming platform acquired WBD.

The director explained that WBD was one of the few remaining major movie studios, releasing about 15 theatrical films each year. If the merger went through, it would "restrict the choices of film-makers looking for studios to invest in their projects, which will in turn reduce jobs."

Additionally, Cameron argued that the merger would "remove consumer choice by reducing the number of feature motion pictures that are made." He noted that the US is still the world leader in movies, but if Netflix took over Hollywood through the acquisition of WBD, that status would "change for the worse."

The Oscar Winner Questioned The Platform's Promises

Cameron reiterated that Netflix should not be allowed to acquire WBD because it would lead to losses in theatrical releases. He called out the platform's written testimony, in which showrunners vowed to keep Warner Bros. films in theaters for a 45-day window.

Cameron questioned whether those promises would hold after the acquisition, pointing out that Netflix's "pledge to support theatrical releases (a business fundamentally at odds with their core business model) is likely to evaporate in a few years."

On that note, Cameron claimed "the theatrical experience of movies could become a sinking ship" if Netflix took over WBD. He stressed that the acquisition shouldn't be treated as a future problem because "once they own a major movie studio, that is irrevocable."

Netflix Announced Its Acquisition Of WBD In December 2025

News of Netflix's move to take over Hollywood first arrived in December 2025, with the streaming giant dropping the bombshell update on X. The Blast covered the story, reporting that the organization had framed the takeover as an opportunity to expand its creative universe.

According to the streaming platform, its merger with WBD would allow it to offer more value for viewers "by uniting Netflix's member experience and global reach with Warner Bros.' renowned franchises and extensive library." Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos echoed similar sentiments in a statement.

Sarandos claimed the acquisition would help Netflix accelerate its longtime mission of entertaining the world and connecting people through great stories. His partner, Greg Peters, agreed, noting that the acquisition would help improve their offer to consumers and accelerate their business's growth.

Matt Damon Called Out Netflix's Movie Policies

A month after the acquisition news broke, The Blast reported that Matt Damon had shed light on how Netflix's movie policies were changing traditional storytelling. He addressed the issue while promoting his new movie, "The Rip," with Ben Affleck.

According to Damon, the platform's movie structure, especially for action films, did not follow the typical flow. Instead, Netflix prioritized viewers' engagement by featuring explosive scenes in the first five minutes and repeatedly reiterating the plot in dialogue.

Damon noted that Netflix preferred this route because its viewers were mostly watching the movie while multitasking and could easily be distracted. His comments implied that the streaming platform preferred simplicity and a fast pace over the traditional drawn-out plots.