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Steven Spielberg hits back at Chalamet’s ‘no one cares’ remark
The filmmaker responds to Chalamet’s comments, saying, 'we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings'
Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has weighed in on Timothée Chalamet’s controversial comments about opera and ballet, emphasizing the unifying power of the arts and moviegoing.
Speaking at a panel on March 13 during the 2026 SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas, Spielberg, 79, referenced Chalamet’s remark that “no one cares about” those art forms while discussing the value of shared cinematic experiences.
“At the end of a really good movie experience, we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings that we walk into the daylight with, or into the nighttime with. And there’s nothing like that,” Spielberg said.
“It happens in movies, and in concerts. And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way.” He added to the applause, “We want that to be sustained. We want that to go forever.”
Chalamet, 30, made his initial comments during a February 24 Variety and CNN town hall at the University of Texas at Austin with Matthew McConaughey.
He stated, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera… even though it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.”
He later clarified, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason.”
The actor’s remarks sparked widespread responses from the arts and entertainment community, including ballet stars Misty Copeland and Tiler Peck, opera singers Andrea Bocelli and Isabelle Leonard, the Metropolitan Opera, and Hollywood figures such as Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Charlie Puth.
At SXSW, Spielberg also discussed his upcoming projects, revealing he has a Western in development and preparing for the release of Disclosure Day on June 12, his first directorial effort since The Fabelmans 2022.
The sci-fi adventure stars Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor, Colin Firth, Eve Hewson, and Colman Domingo.
“Cinema, ballet, opera—they’re all about shared experiences,” Spielberg said. “That’s what keeps art alive, and that’s what we want to continue celebrating.”