Liam Neeson Sounds Alarm on Cinema’s Future Amidst Streaming Surge
Veteran actor Liam Neeson has voiced significant apprehension about the evolving landscape of the film industry, particularly concerned by the growing trend of movies skipping traditional cinema releases in favour of streaming platforms. The 73-year-old Northern Irish star, whose career has spanned nearly five decades and includes iconic roles in classics like Schindler’s List and Michael Collins, shared his anxieties while promoting his latest project, the thriller Cold Storage. In the film, Neeson takes on the role of Robert Quinn, a seasoned bioterror operative.
Speaking to the Press Association, Neeson articulated his worries about the seismic shifts occurring in Hollywood. “The movie industry is changing, streaming services are merging, companies are being bought out,” he stated. “We’re all very concerned about the state of Hollywood. What’s going to happen to feature films?”
Neeson, who earned an Academy Award nomination for his powerful portrayal of Oskar Schindler, acknowledged the inherent challenges and unpredictability of the acting profession. “I’ve been very, very lucky,” he admitted. “I have friends and acquaintances, actors, some of whom haven’t worked for months and months. It’s a profession filled with rejection. It really is.”
He reflected on the often deeply personal nature of early career critiques. “You’re told, ‘You’re not right, you’re too Irish. Can you change your accent? Oh, you’re taller than I thought you were.’ All this kind of criticism follows you throughout your career, certainly in the early days. I’ve been very, very lucky.”
A Veteran’s Desire to Collaborate with New Talent
Despite his extensive experience and established reputation, Neeson, who recently featured in the action-comedy The Naked Gun alongside Pamela Anderson and has three other films slated for release, expressed a strong desire to work with emerging directors. “I’d love the chance to work with up-and-coming directors,” he said. “I may be a little out of touch, but there just seems to be incredible talent out there.”
He reserved particular praise for his Cold Storage co-stars, Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell, highlighting their impactful on-screen chemistry. Neeson confessed, “I didn’t know Joe’s work, I may have seen a couple of early episodes of Stranger Things. Georgina, I didn’t know at all.”
He elaborated on their influence, stating, “They were just terrific to work with. They inspired me and gave me a sense of the pace my character should speak at. Most of my lines involve bioterror-related physics and chemistry, but working with Joe and Georgina on the first day… I loved them. Their chemistry was terrific and inspired how I delivered my performance.”
The Thriller ‘Cold Storage’ and its Urgent Premise
Directed by Jonny Campbell and written by David Koepp, Cold Storage centres on a desperate race against time to contain a highly dangerous parasitic fungus that has escaped from a disused military base. Joe Keery and Georgina Campbell star as Teacake and Naomi, two young employees working at a self-storage facility established on the former US military site. They find themselves joining forces with Neeson’s character, Quinn, in a critical mission to prevent a catastrophic extinction-level event.
Cold Storage is set to premiere in UK cinemas this Friday.
