Jeri
Jacquin
It
is the final day of CinemaCon here in Las Vegas and jumping right in this
morning after a late night is Paramount and Disney.
David
Ellison, Paramount Skydance CEO, took the stage to talk about the acquisition
of Warner Bros, saying that the goal with combining the companies is to release
30 films across them both in a year. He says that Paramount is looking at a 45-day
window for theatrical releases and streaming release after 90 days.
The
first film up is James Mangold’s THE HIGH SIDE and CALL OF DUTY films, although
no release date yet. Also in the hopper is STAR TREK, G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS,
WORLD WAR Z (Yaaaaassss!), PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, POSESSION, LONGLEGS (Another
Yaaaaaas!), and JACKASS.
The
big announcement, however, is that TOP GUN 3 with Tom Cruise is in development.
Along with GET LIFE, THE NAUGHTY LIST, and the Korean action film THE GANGSTER,
THE COP, THE DEVIL, with James Wan’s English remake.
SONIC
THE HEDGEHOG 4 has James Marsden and Tika Sumpter showing the first footage via
video of the fourth in the series. Look for Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow and Amy
along with my family’s favorite Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. Especially when
Robotnik screams, “Robotnik…Saves…World!”
If
you are wondering about the Turtles in a Half Shell, Seth Rogan lets the
audience know they are working on the next film. I have a grandson who is
waiting, dudes, get on that!
Love
the A QUIET PLACE films? Then you’ll be thrilled to know that a part 3 is on its
way. Krasinski is scouting locations, but did not reveal much else. Now that’s
not cool, dude, still excited about it though!
CALL
OF DUTY brings a short teaser with director Peter Berg sending his regards,
mentioning that Taylor Sheridan is also working on the film. “Taylor and I are
both very attached to the special operations community.” That, translated,
means the film is going to be intense. Release date is June 30, 2028.
James
Cameron gets into the docu-music genre with the 3D Billie Eilish concert film
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT. Speaking about the film is a theatrical experience; he
expresses that he used tools that he didn’t even have for the AVATAR movies.
SCARY
MOVIE 6, which has sprinkles of it around Caesar’s Palace, has Shawn Wayans and
Anna Faris talking about their R-rated comedy. This time, they are out to
parody GET OUT, WEAPONS, and other films. This time, Ghostface gets a big,
ummm, appendage in his gullet, and the ‘Wazzzzaaaap!’ makes a return. Johnny
Knoxville intros his new film JACKASS film showing all his intros but adding
this time a new cast member, Larry. Steve-O is also there. Of course, there is
going to be a popcorn bucket being designed for the film, and all I can think
of is that everyone is going to want one, at least those of us who love
JACKASS.
For
the family, Paramount hasn’t forgotten them at all. The lineup includes PAW
PATROL: The Dino Movie with music from The Backstreet Boys and ANGRY BIRDS 3 (and
parents love it too!) with Jason Sudeikis. Both of these are the reasons
families go to the theatres, because it may be for kids, but adults have a
great time as well.
Not
to be outdone with musical guests in the films, ‘Sabotage’ by The Beastie Boys
rolls out for the film STREET FIGHTER. Bringing a trailer for the film, Eric
Andre, Cody Rhodes, and the cast appear on stage looking as badass as they want
to be. Phil Simms hits the stage to talk about the film MR. IRRELEVANT: The
John Tuggle Story. Starring David Corenswet of SUPERMAN fame, the film is definitely
going to be tissue-worthy.
Director
David Ayer is back directing THE HEART OF THE BEAST about an ex-special forces soldier
and the dog served beside him. Brad Pitt stars in the film of survival and
loyalty between the two with, “One last mission. I’m not going to let you die
out here.”
Are
you ready for the holidays already? Ti West brings video to talk EBENEZER: A
Christmas Carol. Johnny Depp once again comes to CinemaCon and this time says
the Dickens story has made his obsessed since he was a kid. The trailer shows
Depp doing what he does best, embracing a character with a darkness that only
he can do. The film also stars Ian McKellen.
Depp
says, “When I was approached by Ti West [director], my first thought was there’s
no one who can do it as well as Alastair Sim (1951) did. It’s a magical
performance. But, then I thought, that’s no reason not to attempt something. I
think Ti really did something very special.”
Director
Gina Prince-Blythewood brings CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE with the cast of
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Damson Idris, Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, and Regina King.
Viola Davis also stars as Mama Agba in a struggle of an African kingdom without
magic. I think it’s cool looking!
As
CinemaCon is famous for, that is keeping me on the edge of my seat. Walt Disney
Studios is the final presentation, and I’m here for two things in particular.
Can you guess? Well, lets get to some of the other films first.
With
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 mere weeks away (hurry up!!!), a video message from
star Anne Hathaway thanks theatre owners and announces, “Twenty years later, we
are back!” Yes, and looking good girl!
Yes,
this is the biggest reason I am here right now, Jon Favreau, writer and
director, arrives to talk about the how the original STAR WARS film made an
impression on him. The trailer for THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU shows Pedro Pascal’s
Mando, doing what he does best and is moving on to his bounty hunting. As a STAR
WARS fan since I was 16 (do the math kids), I haven’t been this excited for
another installment in a long time. THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU is due in
theatres in May. Are you ready?
Another
film that has become so iconic and generational has a new story with TOY STORY
5. Buzz and the gang are going through growing pains as Bonnie begins to turn
away from the toys to become tech savvy, but a Lily Pad. Of course, Woody is
going to come help his friends. On stage, to the cheer of the audience, are Tim
Allen and Tom Hanks. Tim Allen says, “We love playing Buzz and Woody, and we
can’t believe how lucky we are to be able to continue telling these stories
that keep people moving from infinity to beyond!” A duo that lives in our
hearts.
In
2016, audiences were introduced to a young girl named Moana and the curly-haired
Maui. The animated MOANA film was a massive hit, and now, in 2026, the
live-action MOANA film is coming to the screen. Returning as Maui himself,
Dwayne Johnson, makes his way to the stage. It is so sweet that he says his
performance is inspired by his grandfather. Also joining Johnson is Catherine
Laga’aia, Moana herself. Johnson says of the power of the film, “The hero of
our story is not a princess; she’s a warrior. All men of all ages, we should
empower, support, and champion all women. That’s what real masculinity looks
like.” The trailer looks amazing!
Ridley
Scott's film THE DOG STARS is right up my alley. Jackob Elordi, Margaret Qually,
and Josh Brolin star in this story about the world after a pandemic (sounds eerie,
right?) Hig, played by Elordi, lives along with his dog and now has a friend in
Brolin’s character. When they get a weird radio transmission, off they go to
find out what it means.
The
film WHALEFALL looks totally amazing! It is the story of a scuba diver looking
for his father, who gets, well, swallowed by an 80-foot whale and only has an
hour of oxygen. I’m just grateful it isn’t a shark. Director Brian Duffield and
star Austin Abrams hit theatres in October.
HEXED
stars Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones as a teenage girl and her mom who
discover magic and a secret world that is going to turn their lives into chaos.
The animated film is due out in November, just in time for the season.
The
band is back together! Taking the stage are the voices of Manny in the form of
Ray Romano, Diego in the body of Denis Leary, and Ellie looking lovely as Queen
Latifah for ICE AGE: Boiling Point. Now, as wonderful as that is, and it is –
it is baby Scratch that just took my heart. Let's hope Scratch jr. has more
luck than his parental unit.
Dropping
like a bomb is Kevin Feige taking over the stage to talk about-yes-AVENGERS:Doomsday. He also brings news of INFINITY VISION. Infinity
Vision sets a new benchmark for theatrical presentation, certifying auditoriums
that meet rigorous technical standards, including a focus on: The largest
screens for maximum scale, laser projection for superior brightness and clarity,
and premium audio formats for fully immersive sound. Translated folks? That
means AVENGERS: Doomsday is going to blow us all away. Added gasoline to the
fire, directors Anthony and Joe Russo come to the stage. As always, there is only
one person to take their thunder – Robert Downey Jr., who gets the audience
going, teasing that he would love to give away “37,000 spoilers” but shows ‘The
Trailer of Doom’. Good choice!
The
trailer shows the Fantastic Four, Gambit, Shang-Chi, Mystique/Yelena, Thor and
Dr. Doom. But wait, there’s more because that’s not all, and not to be outdone,
Chris Evans walks on stage and when asked about returning to his role, he says,
“I’d only come back if there was a real reason. The Avengers really needed
Steve Rogers.”
Well,
that’s it! CinemaCon 2026 is in the books. The studios have upped their game,
bringing announcements, surprises, and everything theatre owners want to bring
to the audiences that visit their seats. The movie theatre is still the most
epic place to see film, and the stories, directors, actors, and studios are
working hard to make that experience everything we want it to be. Until then,
see you next year!
No comments:
Post a Comment