Cinema United Launches Filmmaker Leadership Council Led by Jerry Bruckheimer and Emma Thomas

Thomas produced Inception, Dunkirk, and Oppenheimer, for which she won an Oscar for best picture. The inaugural council members include director Ryan Coogler of Sinners, Brad Bird of The Incredibles, Jason Reitman of Up in the Air, and Celine Song of Past Lives and Materialists. Additional members will be announced later.

The council aims to raise awareness of the cinema business amid competition from streaming services. Bruckheimer and Thomas will participate in a discussion at CinemaCon in Las Vegas next week with Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary.

The council will serve as ambassadors for theaters and offer feedback on industry issues.

These include consolidation, such as the potential sale of Warner Bros. to Paramount, which Variety reported could reduce the number of major studios. Cinema operators seek to extend theatrical release windows to keep films in theaters longer before home entertainment availability.

Greg Foster, former Imax executive and industry consultant, will act as executive director of the council.

emphasized the unique aspects of theatrical viewing in his statement.

“Movies that captivate audiences and take their breath away — that’s why so many of us got into this business in the first place. " — Jerry Bruckheimer, April 24, 2024 (Variety) Thomas highlighted the cultural value of shared cinema experiences. The council's efforts focus on ensuring cinemas worldwide can present films as intended.”