UCLA students hopeful for revival of iconic Westwood Village theater

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Brooke McCree, a 22-year-old recent UCLA graduate, is the first to admit she’s been going to the movies a lot less.Back when Regency operated the local Village and Bruin theaters in Westwood Village, she would often take advantage of the student discount and see as many movies as possible.

But in the two years since the theaters closed, she said moviegoing for many UCLA students has become inaccessible.“At UCLA, it’s been rough because I’ll have to walk really far or take the bus [to the movies].

There’s nothing really nearby,” said McCree, who recalled fond memories of seeing movies like “Madame Web” and a “Hunger Games” prequel in a dense crowd of excited college students.“I was pretty devastated when it initially closed.”There is still hope for the Village Theatre, which recently received a breath of new life thanks to some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

For the first time since 2024, the theater opened its doors early last month for the Los Angeles debut of Billie Eilish and James Cameron’s co-directed concert film, “Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour.” Hundreds of fans filled the college town’s sidewalks, and streets were closed for the black SUVs that dropped off A-listers and executives on the bright blue carpet.The event was reportedly the first of a limited number of premieres and screenings planned for this summer to support a 12-month renovation set to begin this fall.

The revival is being led by Village Directors Circle, a group of 35 filmmakers who purchased the theater in 2024.They include prominent directors Jason Reitman, who is leading the effort, and Christopher Nolan, J.J.

Abrams, Guillermo del Toro, Judd Apatow, Steven Spielberg and Chloé Zhao.A representative for Reitman declined to comment on the plans.The $25-million restoration, which organizers previously told The Times would be completed next year, includes plans for ...