Cinemacon - CinemaCon 2025 : Paramount Unleashes Star Power and Big Franchise Energy

By Mulder, Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, 03 april 2025

Paramount Pictures kicked off its CinemaCon 2025 presentation with a bang—literally—as dirt bikes zipped across the stage to the pulse-pounding theme of Mission: Impossible, setting the tone for what would become a high-octane celebration of moviegoing and spectacle. Chris Aronson, President of Domestic Distribution, opened the show with a firm statement that felt like a mission in itself: “People love movies and they will never stop loving movies.” That line rang like a manifesto, underscoring not only Paramount’s commitment to theaters but also the industry’s collective resilience in the face of evolving audience behaviors. Quickly joined by CEO Brian Robbins, the two executives built anticipation for a presentation stacked with surprises, announcements, and a parade of A-list talent that emphasized Paramount’s confidence in its slate.

One of the clear highlights of the event was the focus on Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of The Running Man. Slated for release in November, the film was introduced with great enthusiasm by both Wright and lead actor Glen Powell, the latter receiving the CinemaCon "Star of the Year" award. Powell admitted he had “never worked harder on a movie” and promised audiences a treat that felt "extraordinary" in scope and execution. Joining them on stage were co-stars Colman Domingo and Josh Brolin, a power trio that made the first look reveal feel all the more monumental. The film, which only wrapped production the previous week, already boasts a polished energy—evidence of Wright’s well-oiled creative machine and trademark kinetic style. With the film’s premise—reimagining a dystopian manhunt—still timely, this looks like a potential box office juggernaut.

On the animated front, Paramount’s lineup is equally ambitious. Ramsey Ann Naito, President of Animation, unveiled an exciting batch of 2026 releases, including Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, a sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and the newly titled Avatar: The Legend of Aang – The Last Airbender, setting the stage for an animated renaissance at the studio. This animated slate got a splash of extra star power with an on-screen message from Rihanna teasing her role in the upcoming Smurfs Movie, a project that continues to blur the lines between pop culture icons and family-friendly entertainment.

Meanwhile, SpongeBob fans were treated to a nostalgic and hilarious moment when Tom Kenny, the iconic voice of the yellow sponge himself, took the stage. He was joined by none other than Mark Hamill, who surprised the crowd with news that he will be voicing the villainous Flying Dutchman in the new SpongeBob Movie, hitting theaters this Christmas. Hamill delighted in recalling his first appearance on the show 18 years ago and the unexpected joy of returning to Bikini Bottom. A first look at the movie was met with enthusiastic applause, reaffirming SpongeBob’s place as a generational touchstone.

The studio also previewed The Naked Gun, arriving in theaters August 1, teasing it with an exclusive first look that leaned heavily into slapstick and classic parody humor. Channing Tatum, recipient of CinemaCon’s “Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film” honor, presented footage from his upcoming project Roofman. The tongue-in-cheek superhero satire looks poised to blend his comic timing and action chops in a way that feels like a spiritual cousin to 21 Jump Street. It was clear that Paramount sees Roofman as both a crowd-pleaser and a genre-bender.

Another poignant moment came during a segment on Regretting You, the adaptation of the popular Colleen Hoover novel. Though still early in production, a touching video message from the cast conveyed the film’s emotional depth and potential for awards-season resonance. It marked a softer, more grounded contrast to the franchise-heavy slate, and a reminder that Paramount is still investing in heartfelt, human storytelling.

But the moment everyone had been waiting for was, unsurprisingly, the grand finale: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Tom Cruise made a dramatic entrance and instantly turned the room electric. He began by paying tribute to Val Kilmer, expressing deep admiration for his late co-star. Cruise’s remarks quickly shifted to a celebration of his longtime collaborator, director Christopher McQuarrie, whom he praised as the visionary force behind the franchise’s escalating ambition. McQuarrie, honored as CinemaCon’s “Director of the Year,” returned the sentiment with heartfelt gratitude, singling out both Cruise and the exhibitors themselves for believing in the cinematic experience. The trailer for The Final Reckoning was finally unveiled, bringing the house down and reinforcing that this saga still has fuel in the tank—and then some.

In the end, Paramount’s presentation wasn’t just a victory lap for a studio with a strong pipeline; it was a defiant and joyful reminder of why movies matter. With a blend of fresh IP, reinvigorated franchises, animation powerhouses, and heartfelt passion from its creators, CinemaCon 2025 made one thing clear: Paramount is not only betting big—it’s betting smart.

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