AVENGERS: ENDGAME Directors Defend Streaming And Explain Why Going To The Theater Has Become "Elitist"

The Gray Man directors Joe and Anthony Russo have shared their take on why streaming is incredibly important for movies, especially at a time when theaters aren't accessible to everyone. Check it out...

Even before COVID, there was a shift in how people watch movies. While some filmmakers can't stomach the thought of people watching their work on a TV, tablet, or phone, that's the way things are going thanks to the rise of countless streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. 

Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo are no strangers to box office success, as the Infinity Saga finale was the biggest theatrical release of all time (before Avatar was re-released). 

The duo helmed Cherry for Apple TV+ and are currently doing the rounds to promote the most expensive Netflix blockbuster ever made, The Gray Man. Talking to The Hollywood Reporter, Joe and Anthony shared their thoughts on how the theatrical landscape has changed post-pandemic and why they're not among those who view theaters as the be-all and end-all of the moviegoing experience. 

"We love everything about classic cinema, but we’ve never been precious about that in any way, shape, or form," Anthony tells the trade. "What has always excited us most is [the question], how do you move it forward? This is part of our philosophy in terms of not being precious about theatrical distribution."

Joe would go on to point out that Extraction being viewed on Netflix 100 million times is equivalent to a $2 billion box office haul, and dismissed the notion of "auteur filmmaking."

"Auteur filmmaking is 50 years old at this point. It was conceived in the ’70s. We grew up on that. We were kids, it was really important to us. But we’re also aware that the world needs to change and the more that we try to prevent it from changing the more chaos we create," the director says. "It’s not anyone’s place to reject the next generation’s ideas."

"A thing to remember, too, is it’s an elitist notion to be able to go to a theater. It’s very f***ing expensive," Joe adds. "So, this idea that was created - that we hang on to - that the theater is a sacred space, is bullshit."

Not everyone will agree with these comments, but nothing Joe and Anthony say here is incorrect. The average price for a single movie ticket is nearly the same as a monthly subscription to Netflix, so it's no wonder families are looking to stay at home to watch the latest releases. 

Yes, seeing a blockbuster on the big screen is a special experience in a lot of ways, but as the pandemic proved, it's not the only way to watch movies like Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Widow.

Mark Ruffalo On Reuniting With Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans In The MCU: Anything Could Happen
Related:

Mark Ruffalo On Reuniting With Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans In The MCU: "Anything Could Happen"

ANT-MAN Star Paul Rudd Shares His Take On AVENGERS: ENDGAME's Final Battle Blunder With Two Scott Langs
Recommended For You:

ANT-MAN Star Paul Rudd Shares His Take On AVENGERS: ENDGAME's Final Battle Blunder With Two Scott Langs

DISCLAIMER: This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. As a user-generated content platform, Comic Book Movie and Best Little Sites LLC is protected under the DMCA... [MORE]
Mark Ruffalo On Reuniting With Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans In The MCU: Anything Could Happen
Mark Ruffalo (She-Hulk, Avengers: Endgame) has weighed-in on the possibility of reuniting with former Earth's Mightiest Heroes team-mates Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in the MCU...
ANT-MAN Star Paul Rudd Shares His Take On AVENGERS: ENDGAME's Final Battle Blunder With Two Scott Langs
A minor editing blunder in Avengers: Endgame saw the final battle feature more than one Scott Lang, and Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania star Paul Rudd has finally weighed in on that. Check it out...
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER Director James Cameron Says He Supports Thanos' Genocidal Depopulation Plan
Avatar: The Way of Water director James Cameron has admitted that he "can relate to Thanos" after the Mad Titan set out to wipe out half of all life in an effort to save the universe. Read on for details!
9 Romantic Superhero Movies You Can Watch With Your Significant Other This Valentine's Day
Just in case you and your geeky significant other are planning a quiet night in this Valentine's Day, we have a rundown of some of the most romantic superhero movies you can watch to set the mood...
POLL: Which Of Marvel Studios' INFINITY SAGA Movies Was The Best One?
The Infinity Saga was a truly phenomenal period of storytelling for Marvel Studios and the MCU, but which of those movies do you consider the best of the best? We're giving you the chance to decide here...

The Best Little Sites Network (BLS)

Action Movie and TV News - AnimeMojo.com
Anime News, Trailers & More - AnimeMojo.com
Superhero News, Videos, Rumors & More - ComicBookMovie.com
Horror News - FearHQ.com
Video Game News, Reviews, Trailers & More - GameFragger.com
Sci-Fi and Fantasy News, Videos, Rumors & More - SFFGazette.com
Cartoon and Animated Film News, Videos, Rumors & More - Toonado.com
Professional Wrestling News, Videos, Rumors & More - TheRingReport.com