LOS ANGELES – In a move to preserve a beloved piece of Hollywood history, a coalition of 35 acclaimed filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, Bradley Cooper, Chloé Zhao and Christopher Nolan have banded together to acquire the Village Theater, a 93-year-old cinema landmark in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
The star-studded group, led by director Jason Reitman of “Juno” and “Ghostbusters” fame, aims to restore the architectural gem to its former glory days as a preeminent cultural destination for moviegoing.
“I have vivid memories of seeing movies at the Village Theater over the years,” said Spielberg in a statement. “I’m excited to be part of this passionate group intent on restoring Westwood to its heyday as a film-going mecca.”
Reitman has especially personal ties to the Village. He has premiered several of his films there, including “Juno,” “Up In the Air” and most recently “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” When the theater went on the market, he knew he had to act.
“I immediately made an offer and hoped my fellow directors would join me on this adventure,” Reitman said. “We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community hub for anyone who loves the movies.”
Beyond Spielberg, Cooper, Zhao and Nolan, the investor group reads like a who’s who of cinema royalty. Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Ryan Coogler, Alfonso Cuarón, Todd Phillips, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Guillermo del Toro, James Gunn and Alexander Payne are among the marquee names involved.
Under their collective ownership, the Village Theater’s immediate plans are to showcase a mix of new releases alongside repertory screenings of beloved classics, taking full advantage of the cinema’s multiple screens including its large-format auditorium.
The filmmakers also intend to create interactive exhibits showcasing memorabilia from their personal collections – costumes, props, film prints and more – to enhance the theatrical experience.
As a teenager, I went to revival screening of classic movies at the Village,” recalled Chazelle. “To help preserve this beautiful theater means the world to me.”
The Village Theater first opened its doors in 1931 during Hollywood’s golden age. In the decades since, it has hosted countless star-studded premieres, cementing itself as a cornerstone of the Westwood neighborhood’s rich cinematic history and culture.
But in recent years, the rise of streaming and the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have taken a heavy toll on the theatrical exhibition industry. Hundreds of cinemas have shuttered permanently across the country.
These challenges provided the impetus for this coalition of top-tier directors to come together and take control of the Village’s destiny, ensuring it doesn’t become another casualty.
“Moviegoing culture is core to who I am,” said Reitman. “The big screen experience is truly special. There’s just nothing like seeing a film in a beautiful theater with an audience.”
Nolan, whose science-fiction blockbusters like “Inception” and “Interstellar” have dazzled audiences on Village’s giant screen, agrees.
“The Village Theater has been a touchstone for me over the years,” he said. To get the chance to take a step towards preserving its future is a tremendous opportunity.”
Acquiring the theater represents a deeply personal investment for this group beyond just financial terms. Collectively, their immense filmographies represent some of the most iconic moviegoing experiences of modern times.
“We all have such fond memories of going to the movies in places like the Village,” said del Toro. “We want to ensure these places endure and next generations can make the same memories.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the new ownership aims to preserve the Village Theater as a viable commercial cinema while introducing new programming initiatives.
As Hollywood navigates a rapidly evolving landscape, the Village Theater acquisition symbolizes the industry’s biggest names taking an active stake in the future of the theatrical experience.
“Of course you can watch movies on a couch at home now,” Reitman reflected. “But when we gather to experience a film together in a beautiful cinema, there’s a magic to that. It’s something to be treasured and fought for.”
With this collective purchase, the fight to save the magic of moviegoing now has one of Hollywood’s most impressive casts behind it.
