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New director: Apple arms itself for the streaming services war

11.10.2019

Translation: machine translated

Alfonso Cuarón, one of Hollywood's most talented directors, has just signed a contract with Apple's new streaming service: Apple TV Plus. This development is set to have a major impact on cinema operators.

Alfonso Cuarón, regarded as one of Hollywood's most talented directors, first came to public attention in 2004 for his work directing the third Harry Potter instalment: "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In 2013, he won the Oscar for directing "Gravity", a success he is repeating again this year with the shooting of "Roma" in Spanish, specially made for Netflix.

Alfonso Cuarón at the 71st Directors Guild of America Awards
Source: Shutterstock

But Alfonso Cuarón is changing sides: according to trade magazine Variety, the Mexican director has signed a multi-year deal with Cupertino's streaming provider.

The end of cinema against a backdrop of war between streaming services?

The deal will see Alfonso Cuarón develop, write and direct exclusive TV content for Apple's streaming service - Apple TV Plus - via Esperanto Filmoj, his own production company. The duration of the contract is not officially known. However, US online magazine Deadline is banking on a five-year deal, based on estimates obtained from a circle of insiders.

Apple is also taking part in the coming streaming service war, especially after news of a multi-year deal between Netflix and the Duffer brothers, the creators of "Stranger Things".

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In general, signing such multi-year deals with big-name Hollywood directors seems to be the preferred strategy for making one's own platform attractive to potential customers. In return, directors and scriptwriters enjoy an artistic freedom with streaming services that Hollywood producers often refuse to grant, which generally has a negative impact on the quality of film productions. This is a win-win situation for both streaming services and filmmakers. And for viewers, only if they are prepared to buy the corresponding subscription.

In addition to Alfonso Cuarón, Apple is banking on other Hollywood celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, the cast of "Fast & Furious" and "Star Trek" director Justin Lin. In addition, the Apple TV Plus announcement video released in March 2019 promises collaborations with Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, M. Night Shyamalan and Damien Chazelle.

In the video above, 'Star Wars' director J.J. Abrams can also be seen. But last September, he signed with Warner Bros. and their forthcoming streaming service, HBO Max, even though he is allowed to sell projects that Warner refuses to pursue to other film and series studios and make them on their behalf.

In addition to the Duffer brothers, Netflix, for its part, is also calling on "Game of Thrones" writer-producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, as well as "Wonder Woman" director Patty Jenkins. Added to this is the legendary director Martin Scorsese with his film "The Irishman", unveiled at the Oscars, screened first in a few cinemas and then on Netflix.
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This is the start of an evolution leading to high-quality television productions, but causing concern among cinema exhibitors. And with good reason: if Hollywood's top talent is only working for streaming providers, who will still want to make films for the cinema?

This is the beginning of a trend leading to high-quality television productions, but causing concern among cinema exhibitors.

Background information
Cinema Wars: is Netflix destroying cinema as we know it?
by Luca Fontana

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Luca Fontana

Senior Editor

Luca.Fontana@digitecgalaxus.ch

I write about technology as if it were cinema, and about films as if they were real life. Between bits and blockbusters, I’m after stories that move people, not just generate clicks. And yes – sometimes I listen to film scores louder than I probably should.

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