The historic Bruin Theater in Los Angeles' Westwood Village is set to reopen in mid-October, with Toronto-based exhibitor Rui Pereira taking over the lease from the Martyn Skouras family, the descendants of former 20th Century Fox president Spyros Panagiotis Skouras. The theater, built in 1937, has been closed for several years, and its revival marks a win for movie lovers in the area.
Pereira signed the lease recently, according to sources with knowledge of the deal. The announcement follows a series of theater-related developments in Westwood: Sony Pictures revealed last week that it will take over operation of the nearby Cinerama Dome, while Alamo Drafthouse will run the former ArcLight theaters multiplex. The Bruin reopening adds to a growing revival of classic cinemas in the neighborhood.
The Bruin has long been a landmark in Westwood, known for its distinctive architecture and role as a premiere movie venue. Pereira expressed enthusiasm about bringing the theater back to life, describing it as a 'magical place.' The reopening is expected to include upgrades to the projection and sound systems, though specific details have not been released.
Local residents and film enthusiasts have welcomed the news, as the Bruin's closure had left a gap in the area's entertainment options. With the new lease, the theater is poised to once again become a hub for moviegoers in Los Angeles.