As Movie Theatres Struggle to Stay Afloat, Disney Announces New Head of Theatrical Distribution

Movie theatres have long been sacred places of worship for movie buffs around the world.  They’re our temples and our so0called ‘safe places’ where we go to unwind and reconnect with those closest to us, all while hopefully being entertained or enlightened for our hard-earned sawbucks. Paradoxically, they’re also the closest thing we have to a time machine. Don’t believe us? Next time you enter those hallowed halls, look around you at the most basic of things: the towering silver screen, the rows of customer seating, the smell of freshly popped popcorn and the low din of excitement from patrons eager to check out the newest Hollywood offerings. Though some of the bells and whistles have changed through the years – seemingly interminable commercials which run prior to the sneak previews, the rude and abrasive light from cell phones – the act of actually sitting in a darkened movie house is effectively the same experience as your parents and grandparents and great-grandparents experienced it lo those many moons ago. Going to the movies is a look into our present and perhaps our future, but it’s also a bittersweet reminder of our past and all that was good and right about it. The prices may have gone all askew, but our collective cinematic dreams remain, right?

In recent years, courtesy of a worldwide pandemic and more streaming services than you can shake a stick at, movie theatres have taken a hit or three in the pocketbook. A glut of mediocre material and a slim release window between theatrical and streaming hasn’t helped matters either. When added up, it’s spelled out some difficult and trying times for theatres and the folks who attempt to keep them up and running. However, all is not yet lost according to our numbers-crunching muchachos over at Variety, who report today that the House That Uncle Walt Built – i.e. Walt Disney Studios – has contracted the services of acclaimed former Warner Bros. Executive Andrew Cripps to attempt to steer the company ship into friendlier theatrical waters. After all, not everything debuts on streaming, right?

In a press release announcing his promotion, Cripps said that “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Alan Bergman, Cathleen Taff, and the entire team at the Walt Disney Studios. The work they’ve accomplished year-after-year is nothing short of inspiring, and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to that incredible momentum and help build for the future.”

Cripps will be reporting to Disney’s president of production, Cathleen Taff and he’ll be doing so with a raft of successful films already under his belt for Warners such as Joker, Wonka, Barbie and Tenet.

For his next trick, Cripps will have his hand in Disney’s worldwide theatrical distribution for all of their vaunted banners such as Lucasfilm, 20^th Century and Disney Live Action.

In a statement welcoming him to the Disney family, Taff said that “Andrew is one of the most highly respected distribution executives in the industry with a deep understanding of the evolving marketplace and a passion for bringing films to audiences around the world. Having known him for several years, I’m thrilled he’s joining our team and have no doubt that his strategic vision and many years of expertise will be invaluable as we continue to deliver exceptional storytelling experiences on the big screen.”

Here’s hoping that Taff’s line about the ‘big screen’ is meant to be literal and not figurative. Theatres need more of a lifeline than they’ve been given as Hollywood busily chases the Next Big Thing, be it streaming or A.I. Let’s not forget where we’re coming from and let’s all work a little harder to fight for our local movie houses.