Patty Jenkins Won’t Make a Film for Netflix

Ever since HBO Max made day-and-date obvious, with its move to simultaneously release movies online and in theaters, directors have been sounding off against the practice. That shed a light backward to Netflix, which has been basically practicing that for years. But Netflix was always willing to work with directors to make sure they got theatrical windows to be eligible for awards. 

Still, many directors don't like the idea and feel it hurts the viewing experience and the back end, and generally alienates what they meant to be a shared experience by fans and viewers. The newest voice to weigh in on this is Patty Jenkins. She had her Wonder Woman: 1984 shifted to digital.

She told CinemaCon this year, “It was the best choice in a bunch of bad choices at the moment” and a “heartbreaking experience,” Deadline reported. 

But what about Netflix?

When asked if she would make a movie for them, Jenkins said, “I won’t make one.”

She added, “I like working with Netflix for television, I wouldn’t make a movie there or any streaming service with those terms. It’s hard to market a movie when it has a limited run.” 

This is pretty big talk. Talk that Netflix probably doesn't want to hear, as a humongous director says they won't work with them. Theatrical is important and worth saving, but I think Netflix will be able to find another director who needs a shot and is willing to get their start there. Still, it's interesting to see directors take these kinds of stands. Will it influence Netflix to put movies in theaters longer, say 45 days? It's hard to tell. But it definitely sends notice out. 

Let us know what you think in the comments.