Convention - Cinemacon 2023: Our review of the Universal Pictures presentation

By Mulder, Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, 26 april 2023

"From my earliest days behind the lens, I've always had the audience in mind" - Steven Spielberg

 Peele recounted that he "crapped his pants three times" when he saw Jurassic Park. Apatow added, "How do you have an audience-pleasing movie without an audience? There's no way you can appeal to someone alone in their room. At least that's what I've found." Blum said the best thing about movies is that "there's no pause, you can't go back. If a bear is doing cocaine in the woods and no one saw it, did it happen?" asked Banks, the director of Cocaine Bear.

This year our media covered for the first time since its inception the Cinemacon convention in Las Vegas at Cinemacon. Since its inception in 2011, this global convention that brings together exhibitors, film industry professionals and the international press allows Hollywood studios such as Son Pictures, Warner Bros, The Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate to present their upcoming line-up. After the memorable presentation of the Sony Pictures studio, we wondered if the other presentations were going to be as memorable and the one of Universal Pictures was of the same level with also many world stars having made the displacement for the biggest pleasure of the spectators present at the coliseum. Below is a summary of this presentation. While The Super Mario Bros Movie is a worldwide triumph to the point of dethroning several records held by The Walt Disney company, the studio Universal Pictures proposed a Dantesque panel with many stars on stage as Christopher Nolan, Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Jason Blum, Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt.

The panel began with a long video of directors praising discovering a film in a theater with Steven Spielberg, Jordan Peele, Blum, Kelly McCormack, Louis Leterrier, Jon M Chu, James Wan, Judd Apatow, Elizabeth Banks, Meledandri, Alexander Payne, Margie Cohn, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tricia Cooke, Ethan Coen, Phil and Chris Lord, The Daniels, Wes Anderson, and of course Christopher Nolan. Universal Pictures Film Entertainment Group President Donna Langley took to the stage, noting that the video was made up of speeches from extraordinary directors who make movies for theaters. 

Oppenheimer

To say that Christopher Nolan's new film is eagerly awaited is an understatement. A true virtuoso director who has been passionate about film for many, many years, this director decided to leave Warner Bros. in order to get his film into theaters (preferably Imax) and above all, to get real worldwide exposure. Present on stage to talk about this film and especially propose to the public present at the Coliseum to discover new images by specifying that his film will not be only in black and white and benefits from an impressive cast with no less than Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Matthew Modine, Emily Blunt, Josh Peck. The biopic Oppenheimer is based on the book American Prometheus (2005) by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.  It stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist considered the father of the atomic bomb for his role in the Manhattan Project, the World War II venture that developed the first nuclear weapons, with a supporting cast that includes Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh. It is a co-production between Universal Pictures, Syncopy Inc. and Atlas Entertainment, with Nolan producing the film alongside Emma Thomas and Charles Roven. Universal Pictures has been chosen as distributor in September 2021. Most of the lead actors signed on between September 2021 and April 2022. Pre-production began in January 2022, and filming began in late February 2022 and was completed in May of that year. The film is being shot in 65mm IMAX and 65mm widescreen, including, for the first time, sections in black and white IMAX analog photography. As with his previous works, Nolan made extensive use of practical effects and minimal computer-generated images. Oppenheimer is scheduled for release in the United Kingdom and the United States on July 21, 2023 by Universal Pictures. This is the first Nolan film not to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures domestically or internationally since Memento (2000).

Migration

Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri took the stage to introduce the new animated film Migration.  Known as the founder and CEO of Illumination, an animated film studio that has produced such hit films as the Despicable Me franchise, The Secret Life of Pets, Sing and Minions. Meledandri was instrumental in Illumination's success as one of the industry's leading animation studios. Prior to founding Illumination, Meledandri worked at 20th Century Fox, where he was president of the 20th Century Fox Animation division. During his tenure, he produced such notable films as Ice Age, Robots and Horton Hears a Who! Meledandri's approach is to create entertaining and visually appealing films that appeal to both children and adults. His films often feature a compelling story, memorable characters, and humor that appeals to a wide audience. Meledandri's contributions to the animation industry have earned him recognition and numerous awards, including several Academy Award nominations.  Audiences at the Coliseum were treated to a world exclusive look at the first images from Migration, Illumination's upcoming animated feature film. Migration is a computer-animated adventure comedy produced by Universal Pictures and Illumination and distributed by Universal Pictures. Directed by Benjamin Renner, co-directed by Guylo Homsy and written by Mike White, the original cast includes the voices of Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina and Danny DeVito. The release of Migration is scheduled for December 22, 2023 in the United States.

Strays

Will Ferrell took the stage for the comedy Strays. He was accompanied by the dog Sophie who also lends her voice in this unbridled comedy with punchy dialogue. Strays is a comedy directed and co-produced by Josh Greenbaum and written by Dan Perrault. The cast includes Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Will Forte, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Josh Gad, Harvey Guillén, Rob Riggle, Brett Gelman, Jamie Demetriou and Sofia Vergara. Strays is scheduled for release in the United States on June 9, 2023, by Universal Pictures.

The Exorcist: Believer

Jason Blum and Gordon Green took the stage to present the world premiere of the first images from The Exorcist: Believer.  This is the first part of a new trilogy confirmed to be released in theaters. It is a sequel to William Friedkin's timeless masterpiece The Exorcist released in 1973. The Exorcist: Believer is directed by David Gordon Green, from a script he co-wrote with Peter Sattler, based on a story he co-wrote with Scott Teems. Danny McBride. Leslie Odom Jr, Ellen Burstyn, Ann Dowd and Jennifer Nettles are in the cast of this film The film is part of the franchise based on the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty. It is a direct sequel to the 1973 film adaptation by William Friedkin.  The film is scheduled for release on October 13, 2023 by Universal Pictures in the United States.

Kung Fu Panda 4

Jack Black came to talk about his new movie Kung Fu Panda 4, wearing a black and white jacket like a panda. Surely this gifted showman who currently triumphs in the animated film The Super Mario Bros movie by lending his voice to Bowser. He jokingly pointed out that these movies have earned over 48 quadrillion dollars worldwide. He also pointed out that none is more iconic than the noodle-eating panda from the most successful trilogy in movie history, the wise man from Kung Fu Panda. As he wanted to introduce the trailer, a stagehand jokingly told him that we were too early to have a trailer in the animation process. His stage performance was very well received. He gave more details about the plot itself. Po will have to decide who will be the next Dragon Warrior, as he receives his own promotion as the highest master in the Valley of Peace. While preparing for his succession, Po meets a fox warrior named Chen. They don't get along at first, but must learn to put their differences aside in order to travel to the city for the very first time and confront the Chameleon, a witch capable of resurrecting all the villains from the previous films...

Trolls Band Together

The atmosphere in the room was already impressive when, to everyone's surprise, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick arrived on stage to talk about Trolls Band Together. The comedian was certainly full of energy and made the whole audience in the coliseum laugh several times. Trolls Band Together is an American animated musical film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Universal Pictures, based on Thomas Dam's Good Luck Trolls dolls. It is the sequel to Trolls World Tour (2020) and the third installment in the Trolls franchise. The film is directed by Walt Dohrn and co-directed by Tim Heitz. Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Icona Pop, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches, Kenan Thompson, Kunal Nayyar and Dohrn reprise the voices of their predecessors, while newcomers Eric Andre, Kid Cudi, Daveed Diggs, Troye Sivan, Camila Cabello, Amy Schumer, Andrew Rannells, RuPaul and Zosia Mamet join the voice cast. In the film, Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake), who are officially a couple, attempt to save Floyd (Sivan) while reuniting Branch's brothers after the boy band phenomenon, BroZone, disbands. Although primarily CGI animation, the film includes some 2D animation sequences with animation styles inspired by Yellow Submarine (1968) and Fantasia (1940). Theodore Shapiro, who previously composed the music for Trolls World Tour, returns to compose the music for this film. Trolls Band Together is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on November 17, 2023.

Fast X

Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Sung Kang took the stage to talk about the evolution of the Fast and Furious franchise. We are very proud that these films have created great roles for people of color said Michelle Rodriguez during her presence on stage. The actress Jordana Brewster insisted on the film that this new installment includes four Oscar-winning actresses: Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren (already present in this saga) and Rita Moreno and Brie Larson who interpret new characters. Note the absence of French director Louis Leterrier who is back behind the camera after the blockbusters Transporter 2 (2005), The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Now You See Me (2013).  Vin Diesel then went on stage and triggered a large round of applause. He said that the Fast films have been the most successful films of the career of each of our directors is thanks to the exhibitors. He said that he was very touched by the exhibitors in the room and that he dreamed as a child to make films for the rest of the world. He congratulated Donna Langley who made sure that F9 remains a film with a theatrical release. Fast X is based on a script by Dan Mazeau and Justin Lin, and a story by Mazeau, Lin and Zach Dean. It is the sequel to F9 (2021), the tenth and penultimate major installment and eleventh feature film in the Fast & Furious franchise. The cast includes Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jason Momoa, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Sung Kang, Alan Ritchson, Daniela Melchior, Scott Eastwood, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, and Rita Moreno. With an estimated production budget of $340 million, this is the seventh most expensive film ever made. The filming lasted until August, in London, Rome, Turin, Lisbon and Los Angeles. Fast X is scheduled to be released first in select parts of Europe on May 17, 2023, and then in the United States on May 19 by Universal Pictures. 

The Fall Guy

After many stuntmen went on stage, the audience was able to discover the first images of the new film by David Leitch. Present on stage the director was accompanied by Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. The Fall Guy is an action film written by Drew Pearce and starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. It is an adaptation of the 1980s cult TV series of the same name, created by Glen A. Larson, which starred Lee Majors. The director explained that the project is close to his heart as the story gives a glimpse into the lives of hardworking stuntmen. Ryan Gosling plays Colt Seavers in the film, a retired stuntman who is called back into the film industry by his ex-girlfriend (Emily Blunt), who is about to direct her first feature film.  Colt Seavers accepts in hopes of winning back his former lover. The Fall Guy is scheduled for release on March 1, 2024 by Universal Pictures.

Wicked

The final film featured was Wicked including a lengthy behind-the-scenes video of director John M. Chu's film adaptation of the musical Wicked. Wicked is an epic fantasy musical film directed by Jon M. Chu from a script by Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz. It is the first two-part film adaptation of the musical of the same name, itself based on the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire and characters from the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The cast includes Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh in supporting roles. Set in the Land of Oz, the film revolves around Elphaba, a green-skinned woman, and explores her path to becoming the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked: Part One is scheduled for release on November 27, 2024, while Wicked: Part Two will be released in December 2025.

Photo Credit: Getty images for Universal Pictures