Jason Reitman and top Hollywood directors are buying Los Angeles’ beloved Village Theater

Westwood’s historic Village Theater is now owned by a consortium of 35 filmmakers led by Jason Reitman | Image source: @BeyondFest/X

Some of Hollywood’s most prominent filmmakers have purchased an iconic 93-year-old theater known as a cultural landmark for Los Angeles moviegoers.

Jason Reitman along with more than 30 directors including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan and Bradley Cooper have taken over the Westwoods Village Theater, the group announced Wednesday. The consortium wants to preserve the theater, which has become a mainstay for movie premieres since it opened in 1931. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Reitman said he felt compelled to bring together other filmmakers after the theater was put up for sale last year. As a Los Angeles native, he wants to expand the rich history of the Village Theater, known for its 170-foot (52-meter) white Spanish tower and large auditorium that seats 1,300 people. It is also located near UCLA.

“I made an offer right away, hoping my fellow directors would join me on this adventure,” Reitman said in a statement. He pointed out that some of his films are among them In the air, Ghostbusters: Afterlife And Juno It was first shown in the theater.

“We take this administration very seriously and hope to provide a real community for anyone who loves movies,” he added. Directors will display artifacts from their personal collections in the theater, including props, wardrobe and film prints.

Chris Columbus, who directed Home Alone And Harry Potter He is expected to share his extensive collection of 16mm film prints. He described the theater as a “cinematic miracle.” Spielberg said he wanted to help return the theater to its “glory years as a cinematic cultural institution.” “Cinema has always been the place where filmmakers and moviegoers come together, and I’m thrilled to be collaborating with so many of my favorite directors in a space that will showcase what the future of film exhibition can be,” Nolan added.

Other new owners include JJ Abrams, Judd Apatow, Damien Chazelle, Ryan Coogler, Alfonso Cuaron, Jonathan Dayton, Guillermo del Toro, Valerie Faris, Hannah Fidel, Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, James Gunn, Sian Heder, Ryan Johnson, Jill Keenan, And Karen. Kusama, Justin Lin, Phil Lord, David Lowery, Christopher McQuarrie, Chris Miller, Alexander Payne, Todd Phillips, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jay Roach, Seth Rogen, Emma Seligman, Brad Silberling, Emma Thomas, Denis Villeneuve, Lulu Wang and Chloe. Ciao.