In a recent discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Sarandos shed light on the decisions that saw Matt and Ross Duffer move their exclusive four-year film and TV deal to Paramount in April, and Shawn Levy, after a decade with Netflix, ink a deal with Disney's 20th Television, set to begin next October. These moves represent significant shifts for key talent behind one of Netflix's biggest global hits.

According to Sarandos, the Duffer Brothers, who had worked with Netflix for a decade, expressed a strong desire to transition from television to feature films. "The Duffers have worked with us for [a] decade and did not want to make more TV shows right now," Sarandos stated. He encouraged their pursuit of big-screen projects, telling them, "You guys are great at what you do, and I think you should go do that. You’re 40. Don’t wake up when you’re 60 wishing you did that 20 years later." The Duffer Brothers themselves corroborated this, with Matt Duffer noting that the appeal of their new deal was "to be able to do something theatrical, which is not something Netflix does." Despite their departure, Sarandos emphasized that Netflix retains the rights to the Stranger Things universe, suggesting future content could still emerge from the franchise.

Shawn Levy's move to Disney was attributed to similar cinematic aspirations, particularly his involvement with the Star Wars franchise. Levy is currently directing Star Wars: Starfighter for Lucasfilm, and Sarandos indicated that more Star Wars films are likely in his future. Sarandos explained the practicalities of such arrangements: "The problem when you have an overall deal with someone who has commitments in other places, you’re in constant conflict for their time." He concluded that Levy's deal with Disney "makes a lot of sense" given his trajectory. While Levy's statement regarding his Disney deal was more general, mentioning a "kindred spirit in Disney and their storytelling ethos," Sarandos confirmed that Netflix will continue to collaborate with Levy on other projects, including the upcoming hockey drama Sticks.

These high-profile talent shifts underscore the evolving landscape of Hollywood, where creators and executives are increasingly seeking opportunities that align with their specific creative ambitions, whether in streaming or traditional theatrical releases. For Netflix, it highlights a strategy of supporting talent even if it means their primary deals lie elsewhere, while firmly holding onto the intellectual property that defines its major successes.