Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood Say US Movie Theaters May Not Survive Pandemic

The letter was signed by more than 70 directors and producers along with the National Association of Theater Owners, the Directors Guild of America and the Motion Picture Association.

The pandemic forced movie theaters to close their doors in mid-March. Big chains including AMC Entertainment and Cineworld Plc’s Regal Cinemas have reopened, with reduced capacity, in many U.S. cities, but not in the biggest markets of Los Angeles and New York City.

Efforts to get Americans back into theaters have proved disappointing, and Hollywood studios have delayed the release of big movies like “Black Widow” and “Top Gun: Maverick” to 2021.

The letter said that 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will be forced to file for bankruptcy or close permanently unless help is forthcoming.