James Cameron and Peter Jackson are among 23 filmmakers who joined cinema owners in protesting plans by studios to offer 48-hour rentals through video-on-demand on DirecTV just two months after movies open in theaters.

Making movies available for home viewing early may “irrevocably harm the financial model of our film industry,” the filmmakers said in a letter distributed today by the National Association of Theatre Owners.

Cinema owners and filmmakers are challenging a plan by four studios to release some films for rental starting tomorrow through El Segundo, California-based DirecTV, the largest satellite-TV operator, for $29.99. Early release to home video will cost the industry millions of dollars in ticket sales and force some theaters to close, according to the letter.

“What sells for $30-a-viewing today could be blown out for $9.99 within a few years,” the authors wrote. “We ask that our studio partners do not rashly undermine the current — and successful — system of releasing films.” More..