After more than a year on the market, the historic Fox Village Theatre in Westwood has found new ownership in 36 star filmmakers. Led by Canadian-American director Jason Reitman, the goal behind the group’s acquisition is to preserve the theater and create a cultural landmark dedicated to the moviegoing experience.
“I’ve been coming to Westwood for as long as I can remember,” Reitman said in a statement. “Many of my movies, including “Juno,” “Up In The Air,” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” all premiered at the corner of Broxton and Weyburn. When the Village Theater went on the market, I had visions of how quickly the National Theater became a block of condos. I immediately made an offer and hoped my fellow directors would join me on this adventure. We take this stewardship very seriously and hope to offer a true community for anyone who loves the movies.”
Among the 35 filmmakers turned property owners alongside Reitman are many heavy hitters, including Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Damien Chazelle, Alfonso Cuarón and Bradley Cooper, as well as a few indie darlings, such as “Bottoms” director Emma Seligman and “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao.
According to a release, the coalition will work together in influencing every detail of presentation, from the picture and sound to the lighting, theater programming and lobby gallery, including showcasing artifacts from their personal collections.
The venue will feature a mixture of first-run films and repertory programming from the theater’s new caretakers.
“I have so many vivid memories of seeing films at the Village Theatre and I am excited to be part of this group that is intent on restoring Westwood to its glory years as a filmgoing cultural institution,” said Spielberg in the release.
As streaming platforms rise in popularity and box office sales shrink, the filmmakers’ investment is, more than anything, a cry for preservation.
“I’ve been advocating for the in-theater experience for years,” said Dennis Villeneuve, director of “Dune,” in the release. “Thank you to Jason for this fantastic opportunity, allowing me to put money where my mouth is.”
Now 93 years old, Westwood’s historic Village Theatre is known for its soaring tower, neon marquee and massive screen. It has a 1,380-seat capacity and is a hot spot among UCLA students, as well as residents of the neighboring communities of Brentwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Century City.
