Overview
- Olivia Wilde told the press at Locarno that she pushed for a theatrical run and spoke before a sold-out 8,000-seat Piazza Grande screening on Saturday.
- Wilde said streaming platforms offered larger payments that she described as a "bribe" to financiers to bypass cinemas and accept direct-to-streaming deals.
- She credited producer Megan Ellison at Annapurna along with A24 and FilmNation/UTA for backing a cinema-first strategy and securing international theatrical distribution.
- Wilde said the decision grew from a strong "chemical reaction" at Sundance and from her belief that comedy gains the most from communal, in-person audiences.
- The episode highlights a broader industry dynamic where bigger streaming payouts can sway financiers away from theatrical windows and where festival momentum can be decisive for filmmakers who want cinema runs.