The Flood: Director Zach Cregger's Standoff with Netflix Over Theatrical Release
Director Zach Cregger, known for "Weapons" and "Barbarian," was initially considered to direct the upcoming sci-fi film "The Flood" for Netflix. However, it seems that negotiations between Cregger and Netflix have hit a roadblock. Despite Netflix Films chairman Dan Lin's attempt to persuade Cregger by offering a theatrical release, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos vetoed the idea. Cregger is adamant about a theatrical release for the film, leading to uncertainty about the project's future.
Netflix has recently shown a willingness to explore theatrical releases for its original films, using them for awards consideration or promotional purposes. For instance, Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" was released on Netflix after a brief theatrical run. Cregger's previous film, "Weapons," achieved significant success, grossing $268 million globally on a modest budget of $38 million. He is currently working on a spin-off centered around Amy Madigan's character, Aunt Gladys, and has the highly anticipated "Resident Evil" film set to premiere in theaters on September 18th next year.
The situation with "The Flood" underscores the ongoing debate between Netflix and filmmakers regarding theatrical releases. Cregger's insistence on a theatrical release highlights the importance of traditional cinema experiences for certain filmmakers. It remains to be seen whether Netflix will compromise on this issue or if Cregger will seek alternative avenues to bring "The Flood" to the big screen.