CinemaCon is an annual meeting of theater owners where studios present highlights of upcoming films in order to convince the theaters to book more of the movies, and it takes place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Today was Disney’s presentation, where in the two hours allotted they wanted to show the best of the films they have coming out in the near future.
All attendees received a Marvel campaign bottle of Coca-Cola or Coke Zero upon entry.
The Disney presentation immediately set the tone by kicking off with a CinemaCon exclusive profanity filled message from “Deadpool & Wolverine” reminding us to silence our cell phones.
Can we release that to theaters everywhere?
Alan Bergman, Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment, took the stage to discuss Walt Disney Studios, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Searchlight, and 20th Century Studios, who will all showing material at today’s presentation.
He also showed a timeline of upcoming 2024 releases, which we talked about last week:
Tony Chambers, EVP, Theatrical Distribution, then joined the presentation saying they have seventy-five minutes of content to share.
Here’s a look at what they showcased:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
The CinemaCon audience got treated to a 13-minute clip from the film, and Disney pointed out that “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” will be the first film in the long-running franchise to be released in IMAX.
The film will kick off the summer movie season on May 10, 2024.
Young Woman and the Sea
This film was up next, and was introduced via an onscreen message from producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
A new trailer was also released for the Daisy Ridley-starring biopic of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. The film is directed by Joachim Rønning, who is also helming “Tron: Ares.”
The film will be in theaters on May 31, 2024.
Inside Out 2
Amy Poehler, the voice of Joy in “Inside Out 2” took the stage next to show the first 35 minutes of the Pixar film which is due in U.S. theaters on June 14, 2024, and in Japan on August 1st.
Thunderbolts*
Marvel’s Kevin Feige then came onstage to talk about several of the studio’s upcoming films, starting with “Thunderbolts*.”
Florence Pugh, who reprises her role of Yelena for the film, joined Feige by video to say hello. In addition to confirming the film’s release date of May 5, 2025, Feige said there’s a reason an asterisk was added to the film’s title that will be revealed in the film.
“Yes, you’ll notice the asterisk on ‘Thunderbolts*.’ That is the official title of ‘Thunderbolts*,’ and we won’t talk more about that until after the movie comes out.”
Hmmm…cryptic.
Captain America: Brave New World
Anthony Mackie joined Feige in person to talk about his upcoming Marvel film, where he reprises the role of Sam Wilson who is also the current Captain America.
The tone of the new film, due in theaters February 14, 2025, is said to be along the lines of “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” which sounds great to me.
Deadpool & Wolverine
Director Shawn Levy came onstage to introduce the film, saying “this movie was built for audience joy,” before premiering nine minutes of the film.
“It’s spoilerish-free!” offered Levy about the footage, which reportedly showed Deadpool quipping about Wolverine’s new suit: “Friends don’t let friends leave the house looking like they play for the Los Angeles Rams.”
Sadly, no new trailer, yet, for the film which is due to hit theaters on July 26, 2024. But Feige quipped that film’s popcorn bucket will be “crude and lewd,” and he has even asked Deadpool himself to make it.
Alien: Romulus
20th Century Studios kicked of their part of the presentation with some footage from the horror film “Alien: Romulus,” which reportedly showed an entire sequence of an Alien bursting slowly out of a body. Sounds like a potential horror film of the summer.
Ella McKay
The studio also briefly spotlighted the upcoming “Ella McKay,” from soon-to-be Disney Legend James L. Brooks, which will be released in 2025.
The film will follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor. It stars Emma Mackey as the title character, with Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Hall, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Albert Brooks in supporting roles.
The Amateur
Tony Chambers turns the presentation to Searchlight Pictures upcoming roster, as well as celebrating their 195 Academy Award nominations and 22 Best Picture nominations over the years.
He then shows the first trailer for “The Amateur,” an espionage thriller film directed by James Hawes and written by Gary Spinelli, based on the 1981 novel of the same name by Robert Littell.
It stars Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, and Laurence Fishburne, and will now be in theaters April 11, 2025.
Kinds of Kindness
After talking about upcoming Searchlight films, “A Real Pain” starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin, in theaters October 18, 2024, and “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams, in theaters December 6, 2024, Chambers then showed the trailer for “Kinds of Kindness” from director Yorgos Lanthimos (“Poor Things”).
The film stars several of his previous actors including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and Joe Alwyn, and tells three intertwined stories: a man without choice who tries to take control of his own life; a policeman who is alarmed that his wife who was missing-at-sea has returned and seems a different person; and a woman determined to find a specific someone with a special ability, who is destined to become a prodigious spiritual leader.
It’s in theaters June 21, 2024.
Mufasa: The Lion King
Walt Disney Studios wrapped up the Disney presentation by first bringing director Barry Jenkins onstage to talk about “Mufasa: The Lion King,” due in theaters December 20, 2024.
“This is a massive film and my job was to fill it with a massive heart,” said Jenkins introducing the very first look at the film.
Moana (Live-Action)
Following Jenkins, a group of Polynesian dancesrs took to the stage to introduce the live-actiion remake of “Moana,” that was recently rescheduled to July 10, 2026.
They were soon joined by Maui himself, Dwayne Johnson, who introduced a clip of the film, saying, “This goes deeper than a character for me.”
Following the video preview, CinemaCon honored Johnson with the NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners) ‘Spirit of the Industry’ Award for his commitment to the theatrical experience.
And that wraps the Disney presentation of upcoming films at CinemaCon 2024.
Which film(s) are you excited to see? Let us know in the comments.
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