Jason Reitman and 35 Filmmakers Unite to Safeguard Iconic Cinema
A group of industry titans have banded together to preserve the cultural legacy of Westwood’s Village Theater. A coalition of 35 filmmakers, spearheaded by Jason Reitman, announced their ownership of the iconic venue on Wednesday.
The group’s mission is clear: to safeguard the architectural gem and transform it into a cultural landmark dedicated to the cherished experience of moviegoing. The Village Theater, a Westwood landmark situated at 945 Broxton Ave., boasts a rich history with its soaring tower, neon marquee, and one of the largest screens in Los Angeles. First opened in 1931, the theater has stood the test of time for 93 years.
The filmmaker’s collective includes J.J. Abrams, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Chris Columbus, Ryan Coogler, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Jonathan Dayton, Guillermo del Toro, Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidell, Alejandro González Iñárritu, James Gunn, Sian Heder, Rian Johnson, Gil Kenan, Karyn Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Chris Miller, Christopher Nolan, Alexander Payne, Todd Phillips, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reitman, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, Steven Spielberg, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang and Chloé Zhao.
Jason Reitman expressed his personal connection to Westwood, stating, “When the Village Theater went on the market, I had visions of how quickly the National Theater became a block of condos. We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community for anyone who loves the movies.”
This initiative is not a novel concept, as other filmmakers in Los Angeles, such as Quentin Tarantino, have already taken steps to own and preserve theaters. Christopher Nolan emphasized the importance of the cinema, saying, “Cinema has always been the place where filmmakers and moviegoers meet.”
Del Toro sees the vision as “a way to ensure perfect screening conditions but also a place where filmmakers and cinephiles and future filmmakers can gather to celebrate and discuss the art and the craft collectively.”
At the Village Theater, the coalition plans to showcase artifacts from their personal collections, including props, wardrobe, and film prints. The theater will continue to operate while plans for a restaurant, bar, and gallery are finalized.
The announcement comes at a time when neighborhoods in Los Angeles are embracing theaters with fresh programming, real personality, and a sense of community. With the Westside Purple Line extension and the LA28 Olympic Games on the horizon, the Village Theater is poised to celebrate its centenary in 2031.
