On Friday, Martin Scorsese’s latest epic crime drama “The Irishman” was finally released in theaters. Only 8 of them, however, and just in New York and Los Angeles. In response, the president of the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO), John Fithian called the handling of the film by Netflix “a disgrace.”
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fithian spoke of the limited release plan for the film and his thoughts on the streaming giant not finding a compromise with major theater chains to give Scorsese’s latest film a wider theatrical release. “Netflix is facing a challenge to their business model for the first time and missed a strategic opportunity,” Fithian said, and it isn’t hard to see where he’s coming from. As the theater chief told The Hollywood Reporter, and as anyone who’s read or heard the words “Streaming Wars” would tell you, Netflix is about to face their biggest competition yet, with the launch of Disney+ just around the corner.
As Fithian said, is “The Irishman” isn’t being shown in more theaters, Netflix is sending “a signal to filmmakers that even if you’re Martin Scorsese, you won’t get the wide theatrical release you want through Netflix.” Then Friday, Fithian spoke with The New York Times where he doubled down on his disappointment, calling the handling of the film’s release “a disgrace.”
READ MORE: Al Pacino Is Sad About The Limited Theatrical Run Of ‘The Irishman’ But Is Happy It’s At Least In Some Locations
Despite the raving reviews, Netflix chose not to compromise with theater chains and push the release of the film on its streaming platform to adhere to the traditional theatrical window (72 days before a VOD release). Back in August, it was reported that Netflix and Scorsese himself were engaged in talks with AMC Theaters and Cineplex about giving “The Irishman” a theatrical release, but no deal could be reached.
If you’re lucky enough to have “The Irishman” playing in your area, the film is now out in select theaters and will expand in the upcoming weeks. Then the film will arrive on Netflix worldwide on November 27.