Laika, Fathom Sue to Block ‘Wildwood’ Screenings at L.A.’s Bruin Theatre

Studios move to block Bruin’s “Wildwood” engagement after theater’s reopening

Laika and Fathom Entertainment have initiated legal steps to halt screenings of the animated film Wildwood at the Bruin Theatre in Westwood, according to a joint statement the companies shared exclusively with IndieWire. The action comes days after the historic venue reopened to the public on Friday, October 23, with Wildwood booked as its marquee attraction.

The two companies told IndieWire they raised immediate concerns about the Bruin’s operator, Rui Pereira, and that those concerns are at odds with their organizations’ values. They said they “commenced legal action to end the film’s screenings at the theatre” but did not disclose the nature of that legal filing. The studios also said they had “not yet received confirmation that the screenings have stopped” and are continuing to weigh options.

IndieWire confirmed that Wildwood showings at the Bruin continued through at least Sunday afternoon, October 25. As of publication, the theater’s website listed daily showtimes at 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9:30 p.m.

Operator’s response: denial and invective

When contacted by IndieWire, Pereira asked how the outlet had obtained a cease-and-desist letter; IndieWire said it had not seen such a letter and had been communicating directly with Laika and Fathom. During the call, Pereira told IndieWire, “You guys are assholes. Everything you have written is false.” He later referred to IndieWire staff as “presstitutes” in both the call and a follow-up email on October 26.

Pereira has broadly disputed the allegations that have circulated about his conduct and running of theaters, framing the reporting as an attempt to undermine his exhibition work. In earlier comments about the Bruin, he described the restoration as “a gift… a cultural heritage site that unites generations of movie goers.”

Why Laika and Fathom object

The companies’ objections are not framed as a routine licensing dispute. Laika and Fathom say they sought to stop the Bruin’s screenings because of concerns tied to Pereira’s conduct as an operator, rather than because the booking itself was unauthorized. Wildwood is a wide release — opening in nearly 3,000 theaters around the U.S. — and such national distribution does not imply approval of every individual exhibitor.

Their move follows months of scrutiny over Pereira’s record at another venue he ran, Toronto’s Kingsway Theatre. IndieWire’s September 3 investigation detailed multiple claims against Pereira and the Kingsway, including allegations of assault, unpaid debts, racial discrimination, online harassment, and screenings rights holders say were shown without authorization.

Allegations from the Kingsway era

IndieWire’s reporting relied on interviews with more than 25 sources in the U.S. and Canada, as well as court documents, digital communications, social posts, and years of advertised Kingsway programming that some rights holders said had not been licensed. From that sample, reporters identified 55 advertised screenings of 17 films that three rights holders said they had not authorized at the Kingsway; the outlet noted the sample was limited and did not establish that the majority of screenings were unlicensed.

Pereira has pushed back on those findings, saying there were “no issues with film licensing or any disputes,” and characterizing the coverage as unfair. After some posts attributed to the Kingsway account circulated online, two volunteers working on the Bruin restoration project resigned in August. Screenshots reviewed by IndieWire included racist and antisemitic remarks and exchanges targeting patrons, and sources described threats and a pattern of prolonged retaliation, with some critics saying they were targeted online for months or years after initial disputes.

The Hollywood Reporter, in an August 23 piece, pointed to specific Kingsway posts — including one that urged a target to “Go back to Poland” and another that appeared to endorse a swastika painted on a Jewish family’s home — and reported Pereira acknowledged those comments were “offensive” and that he “must take responsibility.”

What this means for the Bruin’s future programming

The dispute presents an immediate problem for Pereira’s freshly reopened movie palace. The Bruin had been dark since Regency Theatres left the site in July 2024, and its reopening with Wildwood was meant to signal a new chapter for the landmark. Independent cinemas often cultivate identities tied to the curatorial choices and reputations of their operators; at a beloved, historic venue such as the Bruin, that relationship can translate into deep public trust.

For now, the theater reopened on schedule and has continued advertising Wildwood screenings while Laika and Fathom pursue legal remedies. The studios’ statement emphasized that their concerns were about the operator’s conduct and values rather than the legitimacy of the film’s booking itself. Whether the film will remain playing at the Bruin while the dispute unfolds remains unresolved.

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Claude Merritt

Claude Merritt explores the world of entertainment with a keen eye. From music to film, TV series, and popular culture, he covers celebrity news and American cultural trends with a lively and critical approach.