Cinemacon - CinemaCon 2025: Lionsgate Sets the Coliseum Ablaze with Star Power, Shocking Reveals, and Electrifying Previews

By Mulder, Las Vegas, Caesars Palace, 01 april 2025

CinemaCon 2025 officially kicked off in grand fashion with a spirited start led by NEON and Lionsgate, setting the tone for what promises to be a year of bold cinematic ambition and high-stakes storytelling. Elissa Federoff from NEON welcomed attendees with confidence, highlighting the studio’s standout horror hits like Longlegs and The Monkey, both directed by the increasingly revered Oz Perkins. Adding fuel to NEON’s momentum were the highly anticipated trailers for The Life of Chuck and Together, a promising glimpse into a varied and emotionally charged slate. From there, the torch was passed to Bob Bagby of Cinema United, who ushered in a new era with a fresh brand name—humorously noting that the prior acronym NATO often caused confusion with the military alliance. His statement, Moviegoing is Our Mission, served as both a declaration and a rallying cry for exhibitors facing a shifting entertainment landscape. With cameos by Tom Cruise via video and recognition of Cinemark’s Sean Gamble as the Marquee Award honoree, the State of the Industry segment underscored the resilience and evolving identity of theatrical exhibition in the streaming age.

The energy in the room spiked further as Lionsgate took the stage and immediately dived into their heavy-hitting upcoming releases. The studio opened strong with Ballerina, the John Wick spinoff that has already generated significant buzz. Ana de Armas, joined by director Len Wiseman, emphasized the rigorous physical demands of the role, citing ballet’s elegance and brutality as a unique backdrop for action. For Bond, I only had three weeks of training. Ballerina was a whole different level, de Armas confessed. Wiseman added his creative vision of deliberately swerving traditional action tropes, hinting that Ballerina may be as subversive as it is kinetic. The wintery Prague shoot, which required de Armas to wear screws in her shoes for grip, added a touch of real-world hardship that underlined the film’s commitment to authenticity and danger.

Not to be outdone, the epic reveal of The Long Walk brought out director Francis Lawrence alongside rising star David Jonsson and cinematic icon Mark Hamill. The cast and crew spoke of the intense physicality of the shoot—averaging 10 to 15 miles of walking per day—as well as the dark psychological depths of the story. Just the premise alone is nightmare-inducing, Hamill remarked, embracing his role as the villain with palpable glee. Lawrence declared it a return to the kind of storytelling that first drew him to the book series, promising a faithful yet intense adaptation. Lionsgate then doubled down on fanfare by teasing Sunrise on the Reaping, the next chapter in The Hunger Games saga. The animated logo alone received raucous applause, and Lawrence stayed behind to tease what’s to come, subtly suggesting a bold narrative expansion.

As if that wasn’t enough, Luca Guadagnino popped in via video to tease his upcoming reimagining of American Psycho, describing it as a deeply personal project. Simultaneously, fans of high-octane franchises were treated to a thrilling slate of announcements from the John Wick universe. In addition to an animated prequel and Donnie Yen’s return in a Hong Kong-style action spinoff (which he will also direct), John Wick 5 was confirmed to be in development—sending ripples of excitement through the Coliseum. This blend of gritty legacy continuation and fresh creative ventures showcased Lionsgate’s dexterity in playing both long games and sharp reinventions.

On the more heartfelt end of the spectrum, Lionsgate dropped the trailer for Good Fortune, followed by an extended preview of Power Ballad, directed by John Carney and starring Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas. Carney's knack for blending music and emotion appears intact, and the crowd responded enthusiastically. The return of the Now You See Me franchise, now titled Now You See Me Now You Don’t, also made waves. Director Ruben Fleischer introduced new cast members Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblatt, and Justice Smith, a blend of fresh energy mingling with the franchise’s legacy players—positioning the sequel to capture both nostalgia and novelty.

Another major highlight came with The Housemaid, a psychological thriller introduced by Paul Feig and his starry cast including Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar. Feig, known for his comedic instincts, seemed entirely at home in the thriller genre, proudly declaring, I love thrillers, it’s all I watch. Sweeney, speaking passionately, said she read all three [books] in one week and emphasized the need to honor the novel’s fanbase, while Seyfried described her journey into a character that took her to places I never thought I’d go. Sklenar promised that they pushed everything to 11, referencing Spinal Tap for dramatic effect. The sneak peek left the audience eager for more, suggesting that The Housemaid could be a sleeper hit for 2025.

The final segment of the presentation brought a wave of excitement with Hurry Up Tomorrow, a mysterious and soulful film by Trey Edward Shults. The director’s introspective take on the movie was complemented by anecdotes from star Jenna Ortega, who recalled a chaotic night shoot on the Santa Monica Pier interrupted by a thunderstorm. It was the sweetest moment in the film but making it was the most chaotic, added Shults. The film’s trailer and the debut of its title track marked one of the most atmospheric and emotionally rich presentations of the event. And then came the showstopper: a surprise performance by The Weeknd, who performed Blinding Lights live to cap off the event, leaving the audience stunned and exhilarated.

In sum, Lionsgate’s CinemaCon 2025 presentation wasn’t just a highlight of the convention—it was a definitive statement about the studio’s ambitions and its readiness to embrace complexity, scale, and star power across genres. From action-packed spinoffs to psychological thrillers, animated prequels, soulful dramas, and electrifying musical performances, Lionsgate delivered a dynamic, deeply curated showcase that fired up both theater owners and film enthusiasts. If CinemaCon 2025 had a thesis, it was clear: cinema isn’t just back—it’s evolving, thriving, and ready to leave audiences breathless once again.

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Photos : Getty Images for Cinemacon