Fest Track On Sirk TV Print Coverage: CINEMACON 2023 [Caesars Palace - Las Vegas, Nevada] - Part I
CinemaCon has always been the paragon for the movie theater industry (even back when it was Showest). After the throttle point when Tom Cruise brought "Top Gun: Maverick" last year, the possibilities of 2023 continue to paint an even better picture. With a variety of stars and filmmakers showing some of their new contents with various studios, the exhibition space continues to look bright.
Opening Night & Sony Presentation The opening of the event was more about reinforcing the aspect of the theatrical experience. Whereas last year was more spring loaded with the expectation of success. This year, with the recent success of "The Super Mario Brothers Movie” has brought it through.
Sony in its presentation brought a diversity. The first up was Craig Gillepsie and star Paul Dano introducing a beginning clip of their film "Dumb Money" about the Gamestop stock story. The film also co-stars Vincent D'Onofrio and Seth Rogen who were also seen in a clip from the film. The entire presentation started off with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence from the set of “Bad Boys 4” in Miami standing next to a Porsche with Star Wagons in the back. The chemistry was riffing back and forth and they indicated (at that date) that they had been shooting for three weeks.
Director Gene Upnitsky (who directed “Good Boys” for Universal) was joined on-stage by Jennifer Lawrence to introduce a scene from "No Hard Feelings" which was a joined bit of another piece seen in the original trailer. Lawrence goaded the director asking him if he was a virgin until he was 25. The banter played well to the awkwardness showing that Lawrence hasn't lost her touch.
Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell came onstage together for "Anybody But You" having just recently returned from Australia where they shot the film. They traded barbs about one being a dickhead and the other an asshole which shows that the films will have a harder edge but that the chemistry is there before they showed a first trailer of the romantic comedy.
Kemp Powers, co-director of "Soul" and introduced as co-director of "Across The Spider-Verse" brought about 15 minutes of footage to show the progress of the film. Another Marvel entry that made an appearance was in the form of a trailer was "Kraven The Hunter" starring Aaron Taylor Johnson, who looked ripped introducing the footage and saying that "F#ck Yeah" that the movie would be R-rated.
Wrapping up the Sony night, Motion Picture head Tom Rothman brought forth two elements, each different in their own respect and what they were showing. The first was a lifetime achievement award for Denzel Washington presented by Antoine Fuqua who is directing Washington in “Equalizer 3” which they showed the trailer for. Denzel did say to the audience that he wouldn't be there without the theaters and the theaters owners. Healso made fun of the teleprompter before bringing out Dakota Fanning almost after the fact. Fanning seemed just very happy. She said was glad to just have had one opportunity to work with Washington (for “Man On Fire”) but to work with him again was a blessing.
The final bit of business was interesting of course because it continues to show how the studios might bridge the streaming window for very high profile pictures (it seems that Apple Original Films is taking the lead in this). Rothman spoke about the tenacity of Ridley Scott but also the filmmaker's ability to sometime transform what is seen on screen. With that in mind, Rothman showed an extended battle sequence from Scott's "Napoleon" starring Joaquin Phoenix.
State Of Industry & Warner Bros Discovery Presentation The context of the industry continued with the element of promise especially due to the success of "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Avatar: The Way Of Water" (which garnered a video message from James Cameron who introduced an Oscar worthy compilation of movie clips that would feel right at home in the Oscars). Eric Loomis, who passed in the last year was one of the people that was universally missed at the event this year with many shout-outs from prominent executives. John Fithian, who is concluding his leadership with NATO (the National Association Of Theater Owners) spoke of the transition to Michael O’Leary but also the importance of the theatrical experience which was spoken about across the board.
Parker Finn, who directed “Smile” last year for Paramount, gave the keynote with a succinct and heartfelt account of how his award winning short at the cancelled SXSW in March 2020 gave rise to execs at Paramount seeing said short and letting him make it into a feature. He did speak about the testing process which he counted as interesting but also said that it allowed his film to go from what originally was slated as direct to streaming picture for Paramount+ to become much bigger.
After a short break, the Warner presentation came onstage to highlight their slate for their 100th anniversary. What was undeniably affected and needed was David Zaslav, the newly installed CEO of Warner Bros Discovery who came up alone and addressed the audience. His comments put it forward about his approach to making films at Warner Bros. being very direct at engaging the theatrical window experience. He spoke about being engaged and inspired when he was young seeing a Sidney Poitier in a film then referencing Harry Belafonte who just passed away the day before. Zaslav spoke about his beginnings before integrating the story with the creation of OWN which he helped shepherd with Oprah Winfrey.
He used this sequeway to introduce Winfrey herself with "The Color Purple" movie they adapted from the stage musical. Winfrey talked about her character in the original being a changing point in her life before bringing out her three leading women in the film. Tarji P. Henson plays Shug and says it was the first time she has sung for a role pretty much since when she was at musical theater school. Fantasia Berrio who played Celie for a year on Broadway had the most heartfelt answer saying she lived some of Celie's life. Coming back to it and immersing herself for the movie was hard but she says it works. She has that was only possible because there was trust with the director Blitz. Winfrey did say that she would make a concerted effort through her social media and other elements to get groups, families and sisters into the seats.
The main motion picture group headed by Mike DeLuca & Pam Abdy entered the fray as heads at the same time that Zaslav did so they do come in with an existing slate while making their own. A big perspective coming into play off the bat was Barbie for which they showed an extended trailer. They brought out Director Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and America Ferrara. Robbie wore a light but bright mini dress. Gerwig talked about the intensity of the sets with Barbieland, specifically mentioning the building of the Barbie car from the designers that had just come in off "The Batman”. Robbie says people came from other sets (“Fast X” was the one she mentioned) just because the sets gave a dopamine fix.
Gosling was actually more talkative than usual talking about finding his Kenergy. He wasn't sure initially if he found it but he said it became more apparent as they moved on. Gerwig spoke of the point that both characters (but especially Ken) was played so serious which is what makes the comedy work. Robbie and Gerwig says they would crack up and in fact Gerwig had to cut takes sometimes because of the end of the take you could almost hear her laughing. Robbie also said that certain moments a smile was starting to creep with her
Timothee Chalamet was on hand for not one but two Warner films in “Wonka” and “Dune Part II”. For the former, he talked about swimming in chocolate as being one of the more weird experiences he has had. He was joined on stage by Natasha Rothwell who co-stars in the movie with him. They then showed a trailer. For “Dune Part II”, Chalamet was joined onstage by Zendaya and director Denis Villenueve. Villeneuve described the second part as more of a war film. Zendaya says this time, as Chani, the character is able to come into her own (whereas the first one was mostly dream sequences),. Chalamet, for his part, says most people know the journey of Paul Atreides as he progresses in the book. Villenueve also says the film picks up right where the last film left off. They showed a short trailer which also provided first glimpses at Florence Pugh and Austin Butler as Princess Irulan and Feyd Ratha respectively.
“The Nun II” engaged with no pre-cursor with a very specific scene before a more extended trailer with the requisite jump scare before the lights came up from the dark and 30 nuns with blank faces existed the Coliseum. Tessa Famiga and Storm Reid then came up on stage and spoke about filming in an abandoned convent in France. Famiga says she gets easily scared so she would have an escort take her through the set. Reid said she doesn't like scary movies but says this one delivers. “Meg II: The Trench” also delivered a trailer though no talent was on hand to introduce it.
To wrap WB's presentation, James Gunn (who is out doing promotions rounds for “Guardians Vol. 3” introduced Peter Safran who was on hand to discuss the next 3 DC films coming out (all of which were completed per se before they took over DC). There was no mention made of elements going forward except that they will build into their new DCU but obviously the development of those titles are still taking form. Both Director James Wan and star Jason Momoa (the latter of which made a video from a set in New Zealand where he is currently filming something else) introduced the new footage/trailer of “Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom”. Wan related that it is more a story about brothers (specifically Arthur and his brother played by Patrick Wilson). Black Manta of course also takes part in the proceedings.
Next up was “Blue Beetl”e directed by Angel Manuel Soto (who made Charm City Kings -- which IR interviewed him for). He was almost recognizable on stage as he discussed his take on the world and the integration of family in the “Blue Beetle” story which he says take a different approach than most superhero origin stories. Xolo Maridueña plays Jaime/Blue Beetle and seemed happy with the reluctant nature initially of the character to engage his superpowers. Bruna Marquezine plays Jenny Kord who is the scientist/archeologist that has possession at the inset of the scarab which causes the transformation. Before they showed an extended trailer, Soto reflected that Palmera City (the loction of the story) required the creation of a whole new world blending his city (Puerto Rico), Xolo’s (Los Angeles) and Bruna’s (Brazi) with a bit of neon/mid-80s Miami to set the stage.
The final entry was Andy Muschetti with "The Flash" where a new trailer was shown. Muchetti says that Ezra Miller was fully committed and even wanted to do all their own stunts which, for the most part, they did. Muchetti also talked about first speaking with Keaton over lunch where Keaton had interested but was sold once he read the script. Muchetti also talked about building the full BatCave from 30 years on with the Keaton chaarcter which he said had never been done on a Batman movie. The film screens in the afternoon.
The evolved aspect continues to serve CinemaCon well with all the events held within Caesars Palace. With the exhibition industry seemingly returning to pre-pandemic levels and with a star power many said topped previous years, CinemaCon, as it continues next year with a new leader in Michael O'Leary, continues to have a bright future.
By Tim Wassberg
