Fest Track On Sirk TV Print Coverage: CINEMACON 2024 [Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada] - Part II

The continuation of the finding of diverse content depends on how each part is approached. At CinemaCon, it is about approaching the perspective without losing track of what has made a powerful progression.

Warner Bros - The Big Picture Presentation Warner Bros has always been about big movies and last year with "Barbie", they hit the jackpot on a big swing. Following it with a Timothee Chalamet two-fer in "Wonka" and then "Dune Part II", the studio is riding a good wave. "The Meg 2" was alluded to being successful too and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" is now at the top of the box office. That said, their current year (while not announcing anything beyond James Gunn recording that "Superman" is in production with no new footage revealed at the presentation) looks stellar no matter which way it is looked at.

First up was "Furiousa: A Mad Max Saga" boasting an extended first look before it premieres at Cannes in a little more in a month. Director George Miller, looking as virile as ever, came onstage with Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemworth to speak about it. Anya said it was unlike anything she has ever made, not really delving into the phsyical. When the lights went down, one could tell she thought she was going to be able to say more. Hemsworth in taking on Dementus says it was one of the most intense sets he had been on. It was chaos but surefire under safe control by Miller who had a hand in it all. Joy said Miller even got down to painting some details. Miller said he cast Hemsworth because they had met and Hemsworth just got this character.

Next coming through was "Horizon: An American Saga", an oft talked about project since it seemed to get in the middle of the "Yellowstone" saga. Kevin Costner came out on stage and says this is series of films that he started writing in 1988 and couldn't get out of his mind. He says that the western seems to show the potential of America, even today. Unlike John Dubar and "Dances With Wolves" this film (and its Part II continuation) takes place before the Civil War and right during it. He made the allusion that there are four films but these are the first two. Costner seemed to understand that the films rest with the exhibitors and by extension the audience. His speaking on the essence of "Horizon" and America was well said, despite a small amount of posturing. His character Haze sounds like (from Costner's description) that he is not all throughout the films. One of Costner's sons in real life is named Haze so it sounds like this film has been in his mind a long time. After an extended look was shown, Costner was brought back out to get a Visionary Award. Now whether this was conceived with Warner or NATO, it is hard to say. Either way, Costner seemed to take it to heart when he came back out and he got a standing ovation from the Coliseum. It seemed to visually move him (and he thanked the audience repreatedly saying he was grateful because they didn't have to do that). After the year he has gone through, something like this can sometimes change thinking and approach.

After this, there was a two shot of Night Shyalaman, first with M's daughter Ishana directing her own movie in "The Watchers" starring Dakota Fanning. Ishana came out and talked first saying she saw visually what the book could be and next found that balance shooting in Ireland. The film has a romance to it and yet is still horror. She has shot some short films but no doubt M's influence played a part. M's movie by comparison is a little more conventional but based in sort of a double edge. "Trap" stars Josh Hartnett and the footage likely gives up a little more than it should. However his influence of his other daughter (who is a concert pianist) and her dexcription of being at a concert (which he compares to a movie theater) created an interesting setting on which to put a thriller on top of.

Next up "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is an interesting play. Director Tim Burton came out with his entire cast including Michael Keaton and yet no Winona Ryder and Jenna Ortega. Keaton spoke to the fact that he and Burton had discussed making a different one over many years but at this point it just seemed right. However, the success of "Wednesday" (which was not mentioned) likely something to do with it (obviously with Ortega starring in that as well). Willem Dafoe who is also in the movie (but didn't elaborate on his character) said that interacting with practical puppets was so invigorating for him. Burton tried to downplay it but Keaton says that being able to see everything makes a difference. He had a great time making it which hopefully transcends into great funny elements on screeen. More footage was shown than was seen in the trailer. Catherine O'Hara says she was so happy just to get the call. Burton did say that it was an interesting reference point that this is about three generations of Deetzes (Catherine, Winona and Jenna). Keaton did allude that Ortega plays Winona's daughter. Keaton did go into the voice one time only saying that the movie is "really fucking good".

Peter Safran came out briefly after James Gunn's note from the set of "Superman" and his thanks for the exhibitors in helping make "Guardians Vol. 3" the hit that it was. Safran then introduced "Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story" which they actively went after at Sundance to acquire. It makes a lot of sense to both smooth the way for the new DCU but also pay reverence in a way to the iconic iteration. It is just a matter of how it turns out. The trailer captures much of what his journey is about.

Director Bong Joon-Ho next came out with his producer Dooho Choi (who went to film school with yours truly) to help translate for him to introduce some footage from "Mickey 17" which has moved back and forth in the release schedule. After teeing up the story, the first footage was shown. After the lights came up, actor Robert Pattinson who stars in the movie as Mickey 17 and 18 among some others talked about working in a world that Bong creates. Bong says that there is "some kinds of crazy" in Robert's eyes which really suited the character (this got a laugh from the audience). Pattinson said it was tricky since he couldn't differentiate the characters physically or even by voice since they never met each other. As a result, the differences had to be so subtle that it really became a challenge.

Finally, at the end of presentation, was the first footage of "Joker: Folie A'Deux" which went out as a trailer directly after the presentation. Durector Todd Phillips came up on stage to introduce it. He says that when they were making "Joker", they never intended to make another one. But he and Phoenix just kept talking about it and, after the first one hit, they agreed on a approach that would be similar but take it in a different direction. He reacted to the fact that people say the film is a musical, He alluded that this is not quite right. Phoenix and him had used rhythm and music in the first one which can be seen at various spots throughout the first film including the staircase dance. They just took it to a different level here. As far as Lady Gaga, Phillips said he got to know her when he worked on "A Star Is Born" with Bradley Cooper which he produced. He said after seeing what she could do, trying to integrate her when this came to be was a no brainer and he simply asked her. In all estimations, it will be good to see if it pays off. However, neither Phoenix nor Gaga were there for the presentation. Right afterwards there was a few video capures of talent saying hi from different sets including Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan from their unamed film, Ewan McGregor and Anne Hathaway on set for a film from the director of "It Follows" and then David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan on the set of "Superman" (though they were outside of a soundstage). Brosnahan laughed and says that she saw a cape somewhere.

Lionsgate Presentation With an interesting threefer in "John Wick Chapter 4", "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" and "Saw X", Lionsgate was about making the old new in many ways. Some of the annoucements tracked this very well. Jason Blum is taking on the "Blair Witch" franchise which should be interesting. After the success of "Barbie", Margot Robbie and her Lucky Chap Productions will be taking on "Monopoly". In addition to that, director Chad Stahelski is taking on the aforementioned "Highlander" series. Adam Fogelson, the head of film at Lionsgate always seems to have a great rapport with talent.

He first brought out Henry Cavill, who has not one but three films in place with Lionsgate. This turn of events, even after the failure of "Argylle" is good news. The first which is coming out in a week is "The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare" which Cavill made with Guy Ritchie, whom he had previously collaborated on "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." about an undercover crew sent ouy to destroy German UBoats. After that, later in the year, Cavill also has "Into The Grey" (again directed by Ritchie) which co-stars Eiza Gonzalez and Jake Gylleenhaal of which some new footage was also shown. Henry Cavill then came out and discussed working with Ritchie including the fact that the director has a penchant for giving him new monologues every morning. He added though that enjoys the spirit of it. He also spoke the praises of Jake Gylllenhaal for "Grey" saying to not be surprised if they do more team ups in the future. Cavill also discussed the training he is currently undergoing for "Highlander" adding that, if you think he did swordplay before (as in "The Witcher"), you haven't seen anything yet.

Next in the slate was "The Watchers Chapter 1". Fogelson had worked on the original film while at Universal and when the rights came back to him it ended up being somewhat a perfect match for Lionsgate. The next big franchise which showed an extended trailer and a tease via zoom from the stars was "Borderlands" based on the video game. Director Eli Roth and rising star Ariana Greenblatta then ppeared onstage. Greenblatt has had "Barbie" and "Ahsoka" recently in her orbit. She and Roth talked about shorthand to the insanity of her character which actually was informed by him having her watching "My Dinner With Andre" and the classic film "Empire" while listening to Michael McDonald songs, He said that the rest of the cast thought he was nuts but that Greenblatt totally got what they were doing.

Next up, "Never Let Go" is a new horror thriller starring Halle Berry set at the end of the world in the woods with a mother and her two sons. Berry strips down her physique in the role. She came out on stage and discussed the aspect of survival such as skinning squirrels and other elements that she alluded were almost method in a way. Fogelson then teased some other action fare teased specifically with "The Killer's Game" starring David Bautista along with Sofia Boutella and Pom Klementieff. "Game" is a almost a role reversal hitman story. Another bit shown was "Shadow Force" starring Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as assassins that have to function together to battle another dark force.

Next Aziz Ansari came forward to introduce "Good Fortune" which was described as sort of like "Heaven Can Wait" starrring Ansari, Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Oh. Ansari poked fun at the exhibitors asking if they were out at the strip clubs all night saying that the "Sphere-mint Rhino" has not come to be yet. He also talked aboutr working with Keanu saying he remembered being at a double feature of "Speed" and "True Lies", stoned in North Carolina at a movie theater but saying that it didn't matter since the theater smelled like old couch cushions (he apologized in advance). He did say that he was in awe of Keanu but then Fogelson brought up a a picture since Reeves had broke his kneecap going back to the trailer on "Good Fortune" injuring himself which he hadn't done at all in that way in "John Wick".

Fogelson then showed some new footage from "The Crow" directed by Rupert Sanders (of "Snow White & The Huntsman" fame) and starring Bill Skaargsard and FKA Twigs. Fogelson says that it adheres more to the comics while not taking away anything from the Brandon Lee original. Producers Ed Pressman and Samuel Hadida (who have both since passed) had worked on the script to make sure it adhered to certain elements. Fogelson then continues that "John Wick Chapter 4" came out, there was a clamoring for more. "Ballerina", the spin off starring Ana De Armas, was already in production and takes place between Chapters 3 and 4 of "Wick". Footage was on hand and shown giving the progression in similar ways with many previous participants. Fogelson did allude to the fact that they are now going back and shooting more sequences which perhaps explains why the film was pushed back to 2025.

Finally, Fogelson teased "Michael", the biopic about Michael Jackson from producer Graham King who came out and spoke about the film calling it very complex but not shying away from certain controversial elements (which perhaps were avoided more in King's Queen biopic: "Bohemian Rhapsody". The footage shown was interesting to say the least considering it is only midway through production but seems to focus on Jackson's whole life while still optimizing the singers actual catalogue with Jackson's actual nephew playing the titular singer. Afterwards, Lionsgate hosted a reception on the roof of Nobu Hotel with some of the stars and creatives including Fogelson, Henry Cavill, Aziz Ansari and Eli Roth mixing with exhibitors in a show of good faith against the midday Las Vegas skyline.

Universal Presentation After the great success of "Oppenheimer", Universal could rest on their laurels but the approach to diversity and risk balances in their overall approach. The overall context here though does also play to the tried and true.

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri spoke about the importance that keeping "Migration" playing did in the theaters. While a new "Super Mario Bros" movie is in the works, he did bring along a full sequence from "Despicable Me 4" to simply show that no energy has been lostnin subsequent sequels. It makes a big difference to distrubutors to see full sequences instead of extended trailers sometimes because it gives a better sense of what the pace of a film might be. The horror angle highlighted by Jason Blum came into play (despite the fact that the producer couldn't attend since he had a commitment he couldn't break according to the presenter). That said, a sequel to "Five Night At Freddy's" was announced in addition to the already confirmed "M3gan" sequel.

One of the new film sneaks shown was the English remake of "Speak No Evil" starring James McAvoy and MacKenzie Davis. Fest Track did the interviews for the Danish original for Sundance 2022 so it should be interesting to see how the remake approaches it though the director alluded to the two sides McAvoy can play in the movie which is right on point. The trailer definitely uses that balance without giving too uch away. A first look was also given for "Wolf Man" from Leigh Whammel who did the other Universal Monster adaptation of "The Invisble Man" with a new approach and some great results. The footage shown was very brief and not really enough to get a sense of the context or full tone.

Next Dreamworks Animation came out and after the success of "Kung Fu Panda 4", they try something new in a way with "The Wild Robot" starring Lupita Nyong'o. The style of animation is slightly new with the director speaking that it was a mix of Monet and Miyasaki which is pretty true. The use of interaction worked well in the brief sequence that was shown. The story as explained by the director is a robot who is programmed to be in a city happens to be marooned on an island where it must find a way to interact and care with the animals there before finding her "calling".

Focus Features continued the progression with a selection of extended trailers but no talent. The Amy Winehouse biopic "Back To Black" was there but would have been interesting to see the star (who did help recreate her voice) sing on stage. "The Bikeriders" starring Austin Butler and Tom Hardy was pushed from last year and still reads in many ways like "The Wild One" especially with Hardy's accent. "Conclave"has a slow burn capacity and comes from the director of "All Quiet On The Western Front" with a stellar cast including lead Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci. It looks like it was heavily shot in Italy (which really gave creedence to the unfortunately maligned "The First Omen"). The last film was the first look footage at Robert Eggers "Nosferatu" with the style one would expect from the director. Willem Dafoe is fully in play in many ways.

The last intention of the night though was "Wicked". Universal had set up the entire auditorium of the Coliseum with paper tulips. When the music dimmed with the title of

"Wicked", all of them started twinkling in unision. Jeff Goldblum who plays the Wizard came out and entertained the audience with talk of creating worlds before bringing out Producer Marc Platt and Director John M. Chu. Platt talked about the difficulty of getting the show onto the stage originally. Chu made references that he saw a workshop of it back in 2003 in San Francisco (when he was still in college) but it completely stayed with him. They then brought out Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey. Yeoh made the joke that Chu even made her sing.

Chu then introduced the two stars visibly getting choked up. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in pink and green respectively came out. Interestingly enough Grande wanted to hold hands with Ervo which of course is sometihng in the movie. Grande kept making allusions that they should never be so far apart. It was an interesting underlying perspective. One hoped that they would actually do a small duet since they were both there...in the Coliseum...but it did not happen.They introduced a more dynamic trailer but unlike the footage last year, it was more based in the dramatic and less in the actual musical sequences. Still it seems like "Wicked" will dominate Thanksgiving this year.

By Tim Wassberg