Warner Bros. Pictures Goes All in at CinemaCon
The Studio’s 2017 Big Picture Presentation Featured the Stars and
Filmmakers behind Its Upcoming Slate
BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Warner Bros. Pictures had a full house of talent at this year’s
CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas, showcasing the broad diversity of
its upcoming slate. Generating excitement throughout the Caesars Palace
Colosseum, the Studio’s 2017 Big Picture presentation was highlighted by
footage from each movie—some never-before-seen—and appearances from some
of the stars and filmmakers behind the films.
The show launched with a reel highlighting Warner Bros. Pictures’ legacy
of entertaining the world for more than 90 years. Sue Kroll, President
of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution, came to the stage to welcome
the exhibitors and thank them for their great support in delivering the
Studio’s films to a global audience.
Remarking on the Warner Bros. event, Kroll said, “In today’s dynamic
marketplace, one thing holds true: the strength of our partnership with
the exhibition community. It is always great to come to CinemaCon to
share our slate with the people who connect our films with moviegoers
the world over. We are grateful to all the actors and filmmakers who
came in to support their films and the Studio and who added so much fun,
excitement and star power to the day.”
Show host Maria Menounos then took the stage, and kicked off the film
presentation by introducing one of today’s most acclaimed and successful
filmmakers: Christopher Nolan, the director/writer/producer of
“Dunkirk.” After sharing some insights about the much-anticipated epic
action thriller, Nolan presented the film’s stunning prologue, which was
met with enthusiastic cheers and applause.
Then, as darkness enveloped the stage, Menounos set the mood for a dual
reel previewing two upcoming horror thrillers from New Line Cinema:
“Annabelle: Creation,” marking the return of the demonically possessed
doll from “The Conjuring”; and “It,” bringing Stephen King’s
bestseller—and infamous villain Pennywise—to the big screen for the
first time. The terrifying footage sent several jolts through the
auditorium, producing screams and making some noticeably jump in their
seats.
The scares continued with a chilling new trailer from the suspense
thriller “Unforgettable,” which was introduced by first-time director
Denise Di Novi, joined onstage by the stars of the film, Rosario Dawson
and Katherine Heigl.
Switching gears, comedy took over as actor Ed Helms and director
Lawrence Sher, who lensed the “Hangover” films, reminded the audience of
the duo’s shared connection to Caesars Palace and then presented an
early look at their new comedy “Bastards” (from Alcon Entertainment), in
which Helms stars with Owen Wilson. Also apropos to the CinemaCon site,
the casino-set comedy “The House” (from New Line Cinema and Village
Roadshow Pictures) was hilariously set up on tape by stars Will Ferrell
and Amy Poehler. Both pieces generated raucous laughter.
Menounos also introduced footage from the romantic drama “Everything,
Everything” (from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures), based on the hugely
popular YA bestseller of the same name; as well as a new trailer for the
suspenseful action thriller “Geostorm,” starring Gerard Butler.
CinemaCon’s Male Star of the Year, Charlie Hunnam was greeted by loud
applause when he took the stage to reveal an action-packed new trailer
from Guy Ritchie’s epic reimagining of the Excalibur story, “King
Arthur: Legend of the Sword” (from Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow).
Hunnam stars in the action adventure’s title role, opposite Jude Law.
The presentation of “Blade Runner 2049,” the long-awaited sequel to the
seminal science fiction classic “Blade Runner,” wowed the entire
audience. Director Denis Villeneuve, and two of the film’s stars, Jared
Leto and Ana de Armas, showed a special reel, featuring footage from the
film interwoven with B-roll and interviews with the filmmakers and
cast—including Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford—talking about the lasting
impact of Ridley Scott’s original 1982 feature and offering hints of
where the new film (from Alcon, distributed domestically by Warner
Bros.) will take today’s audiences.
Warner Bros. Pictures has built a globally successful animation
franchise in the LEGO® universe, beginning with “The LEGO
Movie,” followed most recently by “The LEGO Batman Movie.” A look at the
latest film assembled by Warner Bros. and LEGO System A/S, “The LEGO
NINJAGO® Movie,” delighted the audience. Immediately
following, two of the film’s voice stars, Dave Franco and Justin
Theroux, kept everyone laughing with a funny exchange about making the
fun-filled action adventure.
The event’s thrilling finale showcased three hugely anticipated films
from the DC cinematic franchise, which is a cornerstone of Warner Bros.’
slate. Diving in, Jason Momoa, who stars in the title role of “Aquaman,”
took center stage to share a glimpse of what’s in store in the undersea
Super Hero’s first standalone feature, starting production later this
spring under the direction of James Wan.
A taped greeting from Wonder Woman herself, Gal Gadot, introduced
director Patty Jenkins and actor Chris Pine, who stars opposite Gadot in
the film. The two introduced extended sequences from “Wonder Woman,”
which brings the iconic Super Hero to the screen in her first standalone
film. The never-before-seen footage included several breathtaking action
scenes, which generated tremendous buzz and left the attendees wanting
more.
And they got it. Following a preview of the epic Super Hero ensemble
action adventure “Justice League,” director Zack Snyder was joined
onstage by Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller and Ray
Fisher, who star, respectively, as Batman, Superman, Aquaman, The Flash
and Cyborg.
Snyder and cast then closed the successful show, wishing everyone a
great rest of the convention.
Contacts
Warner Bros. Pictures
Jack Horner, 818-954-3291
jack.horner@warnerbros.com
