Netflix eager to bring Christopher Nolan into their fold

When we think of grand visual spectacles in the theatres, we invariably think of Christopher Nolan, who loves these big set-pieces and the theatre-going experience. Nolan has time and again expressed his displeasure with Netflix's release model and clarified how he won't work with the streaming giant. However, Netflix now harbours hopes of changing Nolan's mind. 

“If and when [Nolan] comes up with his new movie, it’s about can we be a home for it and what would we need to do to make that happen,” said Scott Stuber, Netflix’s head of original films, in an interview to Variety. “He’s an incredible filmmaker. I’m going to do everything I can. In this business, I’ve learned you need to have zero ego. I get punched and knocked down and get back up.”

The confidence of Stuber and Netflix has been bolstered by two developments since Nolan first denounced Netflix publicly. If Netflix's recent deal with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Productions is one factor, the much-publicised fallout between Nolan and his mothership of Warner Bros over their hybrid release strategy is another. With another theatre experience advocate like Spielberg now working with Netflix, Stuber is committed to bringing in Nolan into the fold too. However, he understands the uphill battle it is going to be, especially on the contentious issue of global distribution. 

“Chris Nolan and I have spoken quite a bit…and global distribution is still something he wants deeply. If we can’t provide that, it will still be an issue for him,” said Stuber. Although Netflix has recently relaxed its release strategy for films like Marriage Story or Irishman and allowing a four-week theatrical run before its streaming release, there are still markets that mandate a longer waiting period between theatrical and digital releases. 

With Netflix playing its cards out in the open, it will be interesting to see if Nolan indeed goes the Netflix way.