I’ve talked a little before about how a frequent haunt of mine growing up was the iconic Castro Theatre in San Francisco. They put together fantastic specialty programming, like Jane Russell participating in a live Q&A ahead of a screening of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. (And let me tell you, there is nothing quite like watching the inimitable number “Ain’t There Anyone Here For Love?” in an audience packed with SF’s finest LGBTQ+ community.) Remarkably, the building has been owned by the same family since it was built in 1922. But historic sites require upkeep and repair, so in 2022 a partner was brought in to oversee renovations so the theater is around for generations to come.
A similar cinematic preservation mission is now underway in Los Angeles. Director Jason Reitman made a bid on the Village Theater in Westwood when it went on the market, and then corralled more than 30 fellow filmmakers to join him as co-owners of the landmark 1930s venue. I love a nostalgic feel-good story!
In an effort to keep the movie theater industry alive — beyond creating many films we know and love — some of Hollywood’s most celebrated filmmakers are the proud new owners of an historic movie theater in Los Angeles.
Led by “Juno” and “Ghostbusters” director Jason Reitman, a coalition of 35 filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, Bradley Cooper, Chloé Zhao and Christopher Nolan have acquired the Village Theater, a 93-year-old landmark located in Los Angeles’ Westwood neighborhood.
The coalition’s mission, according to a news release sent to CNN on Wednesday, is to “preserve the architectural gem and create a cultural landmark dedicated to the beloved experience of movie going.”
Spielberg said in a statement on Wednesday that he has vivid memories of seeing movies at the Village Theater. “I am excited to be part of this group that is intent on restoring Westwood to its glory years as a film-going cultural institution,” he added.
Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Ryan Coogler, Alfonso Cuarón, Todd Phillips, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Guillermo del Toro, James Gunn and Alexander Payne, among others, are also part of Reitman’s coalition of theater investors.
Reitman has a personal connection to the Village Theater, recalling in a statement that he was inspired to jump on this opportunity having held a number of his movies’ premieres at the theater, including “Juno,” “Up In the Air” and the recent “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.”
When the Village Theater went on the market, Reitman said, “I immediately made an offer and hoped my fellow directors would join me on this adventure. We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community for anyone who loves the movies.”
Under its new starry ownership, the Village Theater will showcase both first-run and previously released classics that will be shown on the theater’s standard and large-scale screens. Inside, the filmmakers will also showcase props, wardrobe and film prints from their personal collections.
The Village Theater has been a Los Angeles staple since the 1930s and continues to host some of Hollywood’s buzziest movie premieres.
That’s a pretty high profile coalition there! Many of them are even nominated for Oscars this year, so, are you thinking what I’m thinking? They should totally make an event of an Oscar-viewing party! Wouldn’t that be the perfect way to mark the theater’s new ownership?! Seriously. They could encourage ticket buyers to dress up like they were attending the actual awards ceremony. Settle on a hashtag and it’s a brilliant marketing opportunity. Spielberg and Zhao and Chazelle and Cuarón etc could lend their statues for the evening, set up behind glass or something for another Instagram moment. Meanwhile longterm I’m hoping for an insider series on what those board meetings will be like. That’s a lot of directors in the room, you just know there’s gonna be strong opinions and eventual factions. We need a mole in there to write everything down and pitch it to Hulu. Good grief, why do I always give my best ideas away for free…
I used to pass this all the time in LA and it’s truly stunning. I’m so happy to see it continue.
Lovely. No notes! Absolutely lovely!
If I had the money, i would too buy a movie theater.
I love this!
Many years ago in Los Angeles, I remember seeing several old theaters of that era, I’ve often wondered how many are still standing. Good to know this one will continue to.
This is such a fun thing! It could end up being hugely popular. What a wild mix of a group!
Well, it’s nice to see them put their money where their mouth is for once.
My understanding about the Castro is that the renovations will be converting it into a live performance only venue. Never been to SF, but am a member of the Film Noir Foundation. They used to hold the big Noir City film festival there, but got kicked out when the renovations were announced. There’s been a fight to make sure movies can still be shown there.
We called that the FOX theater and the one across the street is the Bruin theater. Used to hang out in Westwood Village all the time growing up. Best record stores, best army surplus stores, best jeans and groovy clothes stores, and the best donuts, right across from the FOX.
This is amazing. Now crossing my fingers for the Cinerama Dome to reopen!