Top Gun Producer, Oppenheimer Oscar-Winner Lead Filmmaker Council for Cinema United

Jerry Bruckheimer, Emma Thomas to head new initiative aimed at promoting theatrical moviegoing experience

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:20pm

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Veteran producers Jerry Bruckheimer ('Top Gun') and Emma Thomas ('Oppenheimer') have been named to lead the newly launched Filmmaker Leadership Council for Cinema United, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the theatrical movie-going experience. The council will also include other acclaimed filmmakers such as Ryan Coogler, Brad Bird, and Jason Reitman, who will provide feedback and recommendations on issues facing the exhibition industry.

Why it matters

As the movie industry faces challenges from streaming and other entertainment options, this new Filmmaker Leadership Council aims to raise the profile of the cinema business and ensure the long-term viability of the theatrical experience. The involvement of high-profile producers like Bruckheimer and Thomas underscores the importance of this initiative in supporting movie theaters, which play a vital cultural role in communities.

The details

The Filmmaker Leadership Council will work alongside Cinema United, the organization leading this effort, to serve as ambassadors for theaters and provide industry insights. Some of the key issues they will address include industry consolidation, such as the potential sale of Warner Bros. to Paramount, as well as the length of theatrical release windows before films hit home entertainment platforms.

  • The Filmmaker Leadership Council will make its debut at this year's CinemaCon trade show in Las Vegas next week.
  • Additional members of the council are expected to be announced at a later date.

The players

Jerry Bruckheimer

A veteran producer known for blockbuster films like the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Beverly Hills Cop' franchises. He was recently nominated for an Oscar for producing 'Top Gun: Maverick' and 'F1: The Movie'.

Emma Thomas

An Oscar-winning producer for 'Oppenheimer' who has also produced other acclaimed films like 'Inception' and 'Dunkirk'.

Cinema United

The organization leading the Filmmaker Leadership Council initiative, aimed at promoting and supporting the theatrical movie-going experience.

Michael O'Leary

The President and CEO of Cinema United, who will appear in discussion with Bruckheimer and Thomas at CinemaCon.

Greg Foster

A former top executive at Imax and industry veteran who will serve as the executive director of the Filmmaker Leadership Council.

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What they’re saying

“Our industry is strongest when it works together to promote the singular experience of seeing a movie on the big screen. That is what drives us—and it is what will forge the Next Great Era in Cinema. The importance of having Jerry and Emma at the helm of this initiative, at such a critical time for our industry, cannot be overstated.”

— Michael O'Leary, President and CEO, Cinema United

“Movies that captivate audiences and take their breath away—that's why so many of us got into this business in the first place. There is nothing like that feeling of sitting in a dark theatre, the sound washing over you, watching something unfold on a massive screen that you simply cannot replicate anywhere else.”

— Jerry Bruckheimer

“There is a profound cultural value in gathering together with a group of strangers and connecting while experiencing something special on the big screen. That shared moment—the laughter, the tears, the collective intake of breath—is irreplaceable. That is what this is about: making sure that cinemas of all sizes, around the world, can continue to present our stories in the best possible setting, so movie fans of all ages can enjoy them as they were intended to be seen.”

— Emma Thomas

What’s next

Additional members of the Filmmaker Leadership Council are expected to be announced by Cinema United at a later date.

The takeaway

This new Filmmaker Leadership Council represents a concerted effort by prominent producers and directors to rally support for the theatrical movie-going experience at a critical juncture for the industry. Their involvement underscores the cultural significance of cinemas and the need to ensure their long-term viability in the face of evolving entertainment landscape.