Few people in Hollywood can put on a charm offensive like Ted Sarandos, but it looks like the Netflix boss couldn’t keep the interest of James Cameron when it came to explaining the streamer’s plan to buy Warner Bros’ crown jewels.
“I respect Mr. Cameron enormously and I love his work,” Sarandos told Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today in a letter (read below in full) refuting the Titanic director’s claims that Netflix’s $83 billion acquisition of most of WBD would be “disastrous for the theatrical motion picture business” and result in big job and soft power losses. “But his letter to you knowingly misrepresents our position and commitment to the theatrical release of Warner Bros. films,” the exec contends.
Cutting to the chase with MAGA loyalist Lee, Sarandos reiterated his “firm commitment” to a strong showing for WB in cinemas if the streamer beats back David Ellison and Parmount’s $108 billion hostile takeover bid, DC power plays (Hello MAGA) and lawsuits. “I also said the same thing to Mr. Cameron when we met on December 20, 2025, shortly after we announced our agreement to acquire Warner Bros.”
Then pitchman supreme Sarandos, who has been on a media tour this week that would put master marketers like Dwayne Johnson or Taylor Swift to shame, pulled back the curtain on his meet-up with Cameron.
“During that meeting we talked about Netflix’s plans for Warner Bros., including our 45-day commitment. Mr. Cameron was very supportive. If anything, he was more excited to talk about the at-home movie viewing glasses he is developing with Meta than exclusive windows for theatrical movies.”
While insisting that Netflix was suggesting a slim 17-day exhibition window, let’s just say, like the fact Cameron’s next movie is from Paramount, the Oscar winner didn’t bring those glasses up in his February 10 letter to Lee ripping the Netflix-WB merger.
As it stands now, Sarandos is set to respond next week to follow-up questions from the Lee chaired Senate Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust. Until then, read what the Netflix co-CEO wrote to Sen. Lee today about James Cameron’s critique and dire warnings: