Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos is looking to relive the "Barbenheimer" box office hype on his streaming platform as he poses to release the two films at the exact date.
In an interview with The New York Times, Sarandos anticipates a huge wave of audience for both films even with the difference in the watching experience.
"Oppenheimer" director Christopher Nolan previously suggested that his film is best watched on an IMAX screen, a film canvas exclusive to select theaters and the priciest TVs.
So far, the success of the films has translated to other streaming platforms that earlier secured broadcasting licenses.
Both films garnered worldwide success with Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" generating over 1.4 billion at the box office and winning several awards.
While recording a lesser revenue at $974 million, Nolan's "Oppenheimer" became a critically acclaimed masterpiece and won Best Picture in the 2024 Academy Awards.
Also Read : 4 Best TV Brands to Watch Oppenheimer On
Netflix CEO Assures Workers 'AI Won't Take Your Job'
Aside from the discussions around the "Barbenheimer" trend, the NY Times interview also touched on growing industry concerns about Hollywood studios becoming more lenient with AI.
Sarandos responded by assuring workers and actors that AI programs "is not going to take your job," but rather a "person who uses AI" might.
The CEO's statement coincides with Netflix's recent attitude towards AI as the technology looms over several shows and films the streaming platform has recently released.
One example was the controversy on one of Netflix's true-crime documentaries, "What Jennifer Did," after watchers noticed several images seemed to be AI-generated.
Only the show's executive producer, Jeremy Grimaldi, disputed the accusations, while the director and other staff remained silent.
This seems to be the same attitude Sarandos wants Netflix to pursue, hinting at the AI's potential applications for writers, directors, and editors to "do their jobs better and to do things more efficiently and more effectively."
Related Article : Netflix Accused of Using Generative AI on New True-Crime Documentary
Hollywood Industry Workers Reel from AI Impact
Despite Sarandos' assurances, concerns about the technology remain rampant across Hollywood as the technology slowly creeps into film and show productions.
Its prevalence and threat to many workers have been among the prime issues raised during last year's SAG-AFTRA labor strike, which was aimed directly at streaming giants like Netflix.
Months after the supposed successful strike, the same issues prevailed over many workers in the industry as noted by the uncredited AI's presence in "Late Night with the Devil" and the promotional poster of A24's "Civil War."
