IMAX could keep Greta Gerwig's Narnia in theaters for longer than 2 weeks, if it wants

But one that actually makes a certain sense, at least from IMAX’s point of view. This is per comments company CEO Rich Gelfond made at Cannes this week, where he explained that, unlike traditional movie chains, IMAX doesn’t view Netflix as a competitor. Basically, the gist of Gelfond’s comments goes, the kind of movie lover who cares enough about sound and visuals to shell out for an IMAX ticket is going to be living at the opposite end of Ted Sarandos’ whole “Who even goes to movie theaters, huh?” view of all art as just so much phone slurry, so it’s no skin off their nose if the movie is available in both forms within the span of a month. “IMAX is so differentiated from the streaming experience, I don’t think we’re concerned that the streaming window is going to cannibalize,” Gelfond said. “I don’t think people think those are competitive things.”

Which is good, because Gerwig’s C.S. Lewis adaptation (which recently cast Emma Mackey in its first major part, as the White Witch) might end up pushing that 17-day window even tighter. Turns out, IMAX has an option to extend the movie’s run, if the exhibitor decides it’s worth it. Not bad for a film that hasn’t even begun shooting yet—with Gelfond noting that Gerwig is still in the process of deciding whether she’ll shoot the movie with IMAX cameras.

[via Deadline]