What do they have in common Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Guillermo del Toro and James Gunn? In addition to being successful filmmakers, they bought a movie theater in Los Angeles.
Another director, Jason Reitman, brought together more than two dozen filmmakers to help purchase Westwood’s historic Village Theater, which will program classic films as well as first-run films.
The group includes – in alphabetical order – JJ Abrams, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Chris Columbus, Ryan Coogler, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuaron, Jonathan Dayton, Guillermo del Toro, Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidell, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu, James Gunn, Sian Heder, Rian Johnson, Gil Kenan, Karyn Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Chris Miller, Christopher Nolan, Alexander Payne, Todd Phillips, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, Steven Spielberg, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang and Chloe Zhao.
“I’ve been coming to Westwood for as long as I can remember,” Reitman said. “When the Village Theater came on the market, I had visions of how quickly the National Theater became a condominium block. I immediately made an offer and hoped that my fellow directors would join me in this adventure. “We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community for anyone who loves movies.”
Christopher Nolan, a director who will most likely win the Oscar on March 10, added: “Cinema has always been the place where filmmakers and cinephiles meet, and I am delighted to collaborate with so many of my favorite directors in a space that will show what the future of film exhibition can be.”
For his part, Steven Spielberg said, “I have many vivid memories of watching movies at the Village Theater and I am excited to be part of this group that intends to return Westwood to its glory years as a cinematic cultural institution.”
There will be a Directors’ Collection, showcasing props, costumes and film prints from their personal collections, including Columbus’ extensive collection of 16mm film prints.
The cinema will continue to operate while plans are underway to add a restaurant, bar and gallery.
Guillermo del Toro said that the cinema was “a way to ensure perfect screening conditions, but also a place where filmmakers, cinephiles and future filmmakers can come together to collectively celebrate and discuss the art and craft.”
Rian Johnson, an early supporter of Vidiots in Eagle Rock, said, “Across Los Angeles we are seeing neighborhoods embrace movie theaters that offer new programming and a sense of community. That’s where the movie-going experience is flourishing. “I’m so excited to be a part of this, with Jason and this amazing group of filmmaker friends.”
James Gunn, DC boss and director of Guardians of the Galaxy, added: “From watching Terminator opening day in 1984 to the premiere of my own film The Suicide Squad there in 2021, the Village has been part of my personal film journey. “I am elated and, honestly, a little overwhelmed to be part of this group of directors committed to making it a vibrant place to experience cinema.”
Alexander Payne (Those who stay) said: “As a UCLA film school graduate and director, I am thrilled to be a part of the restoration of Westwood Village, one of the most historic movie palaces in the world. Like my partners, I will program and present films in what will be the best venue in Los Angeles and the country.”
Damien Chazelle (La La Land) commented: “It’s an honor to be able to join many of my favorite working filmmakers to help breathe new life into a legendary theater. I remember when Jason first proposed the idea to me last year and I’m so excited to see it come to life. Long live cinema!”
Filmmaker Jason Reitman is working on a deal to take over Westwood’s historic Fox Village Theater in the coming weeks, he confirmed Variety. The approximately 1,375-seat theater was for sale last year.
Reitman, director of Juno y Ghostbusters: The Legacyis currently working on SNL 1975a fictionalization of the first broadcast of the iconic sketch show Saturday Night Live. He is also a producer of the upcoming film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.
Fox Village, built in 1930, has hosted hundreds of premieres over the past 90 years, including Junoby Reitman himself, Licorice Pizza and many others. Recently, streaming services including Apple, Disney+ and Netflix have also hosted series and movie events there.
The location also includes a row of retail stores, including a Starbucks, and a parking lot. The distinctive Spanish mission-style building is topped by a 210-foot, neon-lit tower, making it a beacon for moviegoers on Los Angeles’ west side.
Although the grand venue was enormously popular with audiences during its first six decades, competition from modern multiplexes with adjacent parking and Westwood Village’s declining foot traffic make it a somewhat challenging location, despite the large number of UCLA students in the area.
Fox Village is located across the street from the much smaller 1937 Bruin Theatre, also run by Regency, which was immortalized in Once upon a time… in Hollywoodby Quentin Tarantino.
The Fox Village real estate listing, which did not include a price, called it a “unique opportunity to acquire one of Westwood Village’s most iconic assets,” and continued: “This is a multi-generational asset that has not previously been available “. for sale by part of the property, which increases the uniqueness and rarity of the offer.”
Cultural historical monument
Regency has run Fox Village since 2010. It was designated a historical-cultural monument in 1988.
The movie theater business apparently runs in the family, as Jason Reitman’s late father, Ivan Reitman, contributed the land and helped develop the building where the Toronto International Film Festival’s Bell Lightbox Theater now stands.
Thanks to streamers and filmmakers, other historic places have recently been revitalized. Netflix has taken over the historic Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, while Amazon operates the Culver Theater in Culver City. Quentin Tarantino, who already owned the New Beverly, purchased the Vista Theater in Los Feliz, which reopened in November.