Instant Blockbuster
Dec. 4, 2006— -- Forget loading up the car with the kids and driving to the movie theater, or even waiting for movies to show up in the mail. Watching a newly released movie may soon be as easy as touching a button.
To watch Joel Siegel's interview with Morgan Freeman, tune into 'Popcorn' on ABC News Now at 8:35p/ET
In an effort to meet the growing demand for entertainment available through digital platforms, Morgan Freeman's production company and the Intel Corp. have teamed to form Clickstar Inc. The company's goal is to make films available for download just days after their theatrical release.
Freeman's new film, "10 Items or Less," will be available a mere two weeks after it hits the box office. This is the first in a series of releases that Freeman and his production company have planned.
In an interview with ABC's film critic Joel Siegel, an enthusiastic Freeman raved about how online movie services such as Clickstar could transform the way we collect media.
"Instead of wasting shelf space, home viewers will have a large library collection on their computer. One day this will replace DVDs, videos and TiVo entirely," Freeman told Siegel.
Freeman and his family reside in Clarksdale, Miss., a town that doesn't always get small, independent films. Freeman told Siegel that digital downloading will allow people living in more remote areas of the country to view films that wouldn't normally be available to them.
Others have also experimented with simultaneous releases in the past. Last year Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh released "Bubble" across three platforms over a five-day period.
While the digital download of films may open doors for home viewers, theater owners worry it could affect how many people pass through their doors. John Fithian, president of the National Association of Theater Owners, said NATO strongly opposes the idea of simultaneous release.
"Our members are supportive of ancillary distribution of movies. When new technologies are used to expose films to new consumers, it's good for everyone, but simultaneous release really shrinks the pie," he said.
Related Stories
ABC News Live