Movie theaters are fighting for their lives. Streaming has reshaped how the world watches films, and the big screen is losing ground fast. Now, some of the most powerful names in Hollywood are stepping in to do something about it.
Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association representing more than 60,000 movie screens worldwide, announced the formation of its Filmmaker Leadership Council, a strategic group of world-class filmmakers united to champion the future of cinema worldwide.1 The move signals that Hollywood’s top creators are no longer willing to sit on the sidelines while theaters struggle.
Bruckheimer and Thomas Take the Helm
The council will be led by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer as Chair and Academy Award winner Emma Thomas as Vice Chair.1
These are not just big names for show. Jerry Bruckheimer is one of the most successful film and television producers of all time, with a career spanning more than 50 years. His films, including the Pirates of the Caribbean, Top Gun, National Treasure, Bad Boys, and Beverly Hills Cop franchises, have collectively grossed nearly $15 billion at the global box office.1
Thomas has produced blockbusters like “Inception” and “Dunkirk,” winning an Oscar for best picture for “Oppenheimer.”2 Together, they bring a combined legacy that spans decades of cinematic history, from action-packed blockbusters to intimate, Oscar-winning dramas.
Bruckheimer did not hold back when asked why this matters. “We are at a defining point in the future of this industry,” he said in a statement, adding that he is honored to work alongside Cinema United to ensure the theatrical experience endures “in cities and towns across the globe, for audiences everywhere.”
Thomas echoed that passion. “That shared moment, the laughter, the tears, the collective intake of breath, is irreplaceable. That is what this is about: making sure that cinemas of all sizes, around the world, can continue to present our stories in the best possible setting, so movie fans of all ages can enjoy them as they were intended to be seen.”3
Filmmaker Leadership Council theatrical cinema future 2026
A Powerhouse Lineup Rounds Out the Council
The leadership team does not stop at Bruckheimer and Thomas. Academy Award winner Ryan Coogler, two-time Oscar winner Brad Bird, four-time Oscar nominee Jason Reitman, and Academy Award nominee Celine Song round out the charter membership of the inaugural Council.1
Each member brings something distinct to the table:
| Filmmaker | Known For | What They Bring |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Coogler | Black Panther, Creed, Sinners | Diverse, culture-shifting storytelling |
| Brad Bird | The Incredibles, The Iron Giant | Animation and genre mastery |
| Jason Reitman | Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Up in the Air | Character-driven drama |
| Celine Song | Past Lives, Materialists | Independent film, fresh global voice |
Additional members will be announced at a later date, Cinema United said.2 That alone suggests this council is only going to grow bigger and louder.
What the Council Actually Plans to Do
This is not a symbolic gesture. The Filmmaker Leadership Council has a clear, working agenda.
The council will bring together some of the world’s most influential movie creators to work alongside Cinema United to provide vital feedback and recommendations on the most pressing issues facing theatrical exhibition today, including consolidation, sustainable windows, the promotion and marketing of the cinematic experience, and highlighting innovation and technology.1
Theatrical windows are one of the most heated battles in the industry right now. The challenges range from consolidation, a trend that will soon leave theaters with one fewer studio if Warner Bros. is sold to Paramount, to windows, which cinema operators would like to lengthen so films stay on their screens longer before hitting home entertainment.2
By partnering closely with Cinema United, the council will influence policies and initiatives that affect theatrical exhibition, including how films are released and promoted. Their voice will be crucial in shaping future industry standards and innovations that can draw audiences back to theaters, reinforcing the importance of cinema as an irreplaceable cultural event.4
Greg Foster, a former top executive at IMAX and an industry veteran and consultant, will serve as executive director of the Filmmaker Leadership Council.2 His IMAX background is particularly relevant. If anyone knows how to sell the magic of a massive screen, it is someone who spent years championing the biggest one in the room.
CinemaCon Is the First Big Test
The timing of this announcement is no coincidence. The news comes just a week ahead of CinemaCon 2026 in Las Vegas, where Michael O’Leary, Bruckheimer, and Thomas will discuss the council’s work of championing the future of cinema worldwide.5
Bruckheimer and Thomas will be on hand at CinemaCon, held April 13-16 in Las Vegas, where they will appear in discussion with Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary.1
Industry insiders are watching closely. CinemaCon is where studios and theater owners negotiate, plan, and set the tone for the year ahead. Having Bruckheimer and Thomas walk into that room as faces of a unified filmmaker movement sends a strong message to every studio executive in attendance.
Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary did not shy away from the weight of this moment. “Our industry is strongest when it works together to promote the singular experience of seeing a movie on the big screen,” he said. “The importance of having Jerry and Emma at the helm of this initiative, at such a critical time for our industry, cannot be overstated. The insight, leadership, passion and impact from the entire leadership council is unparalleled, and we are honored to be working alongside all of them to secure the future of the theatrical experience for generations to come.”6
The stakes could not be higher. The goal is for council members to help raise the profile of the cinema business at a time when it faces challenges from streaming and other forms of popular entertainment.2 This is a direct response to a world where audiences have more options at home than ever before, yet something irreplaceable is slowly being lost.
The Filmmaker Leadership Council is a reminder that the people who make the movies love the movie theater just as much as the audience does. When the lights go down, the screen lights up, and a crowd of strangers shares something together, that is not a product. That is a feeling no algorithm can replicate. Whether this council can turn that feeling into policy wins and full seats remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Hollywood’s best are no longer just making the films. They are fighting for where you watch them. What do you think: can filmmakers save the theatrical experience? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
