12:50 AM – The panel concludes with an electrifying sizzle reel that finishes with a title card reading “007: Top Secret.” Although I was hoping for more substantial James Bond updates, there remains an abundance of thrilling news from this panel. The footage has heightened my interest in Project Hail Mary, and the intriguing premise of Mercy certainly piques my curiosity as well. Be sure to join us for the final day of CinemaCon tomorrow, where we will delve into the Paramount and Disney panels!
12:48 AM – During a conversation with Jon Bernthal on stage, Ben Affleck expresses, “It feels fantastic to continue the journey of The Accountant. In many ways, I feel as if the character has never truly departed from me.”
Exciting Updates from the Amazon MGM Panel
Ben Affleck & Jon Bernthal Engage in Action-Packed Shootout in The Accountant 2 Extended Teaser
The teaser opens with Affleck’s character, Christian, attending a speed dating event. He shares details about his life, including living in an airstream and being an accountant. During the event, a woman calls him, discussing potential job opportunities. Enter Medina, who partners with him to investigate a murder. Christian reintroduces his brother, whom he hasn’t seen for over eight years—approximately the same duration since the previous film. The trio begins unraveling the mystery by examining CCTV footage, emails, and more. They uncover information about Daniella Pineda‘s character, Anaïs. When Medina inquires, “Who are these individuals?” Christian replies, “They are my people.” The teaser showcases the evolving dynamics between Christian and his brother, Braxton, as they engage in bar fights and ultimately bond. It culminates in a high-stakes shootout in the desert, closing with a woman on the phone, speaking Spanish, who begins to say, “They look like…” to which Christian retorts, “Accountants.”
Behind-the-Scenes Insights on The Masters Of The Universe Movie
Explore the Creative Process Behind The Masters Of The Universe Movie:
A captivating behind-the-scenes clip showcases He-Man’s iconic sword while the director reminisces about the toys he cherished as a child. The phrase “By the power of Grayskull!” echoes in the background, setting the nostalgic tone. The clip highlights an array of practical effects, seamlessly integrated with stunning VFX, alongside costumes that pay homage to the beloved cartoon series and vast, intricate physical sets. The teaser concludes with a breathtaking shot of He-Man’s hair dramatically blowing in the wind.
12:25 AM – The sole update regarding Amazon’s plans for James Bond is, “We are firmly committed to honoring the legacy of this legendary character while introducing a fresh installment.” While I was hoping for a more detailed announcement, it’s encouraging to see that Amazon is not hastily advancing their plans for this cherished franchise.
12:24 AM – Mahershala Ali discusses his upcoming film Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother: “I apologize for not being able to stay longer…but [Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother] is an intense, unique action film focused on a hitman grappling with loss and faith set against the backdrop of Houston.” Mansoor remarks that “It’s quite amusing to receive an on-screen message from him shortly after his appearance at Universal’s presentation just hours prior.”
Chris Hemsworth & Mark Ruffalo Unveil Their Bold Heist in Crime 101 Sneak Peek
Chris Hemsworth & Mark Ruffalo Plan a Daring Heist in Crime 101 Sneak Peek:
The scene opens with Hemsworth in a luxurious penthouse, donning gloves while simultaneously appearing to be on a date. His date inquires if he has ever worn cuffs, to which he replies that it was never by choice. Quick cuts reveal him as a robber, and Mark Ruffalo appears, presumably as a detective, investigating the aftermath of a series of robberies. Following action-packed sequences, Ruffalo briefs his fellow detectives about a string of robberies in the Los Angeles area, all allegedly committed by the same individual. Then we see Hemsworth and Berry meeting, where he confides in her about his criminal activities. She works for some of his victims. Ruffalo’s character uncovers a pattern, realizing that Hemsworth’s heists all occur along the 101 freeway. Together, Hemsworth and Berry devise a plan for a massive, multi-million dollar heist they intend to split. The teaser introduces other cast members, including Monica Barbaro. The tension builds as Hemsworth masquerades as a driver, picking up Ruffalo, and they share a conversation about classic Hollywood heist films. Their mutual recognition of each other’s true identities creates suspense, culminating in Hemsworth’s cryptic statement, “You gotta know when to walk away.”
Chris Pratt Races Against Time in the Intense Mercy Trailer
Chris Pratt Faces a Life-or-Death Challenge in the Mercy Trailer:
The gripping trailer opens with Chris Pratt restrained in a chair, with Rebecca Ferguson’s character displayed on a large screen before him. She outlines the workings of the Mercy program, which serves as judge, jury, and executioner, revealing that Pratt’s character is accused of murdering his wife. He must prove his innocence, demonstrating that his guilt does not exceed the 92% threshold, or face execution in a mere 90 minutes. The clock is ticking as he gathers evidence from multiple sources to establish his innocence. Utilizing advanced technology, he reconstructs the scene to uncover the true murderer. He scours through text messages, video recordings, and other vital information. As the investigation progresses, his guilt percentage rises to 98%, a figure he passionately contests. He reaches out to his daughter, searching through her videos, and eventually uncovers evidence suggesting an unauthorized presence in his home—the potential killer of his wife. The trailer predominantly features Pratt and Ferguson’s tense interactions, culminating in a countdown timer, amplifying the urgency of the situation.
After The Hunt Teaser Trailer Delivers Discomfort and Tension
Everyone Experiences Discomfort in After The Hunt Teaser Trailer:
The teaser kicks off with Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri engaged in a heated discussion about their generational differences during a social gathering. A voice-over states, “You tend to choose people who idolize you,” while we observe Roberts and Edebiri in various scenes, with Edebiri seemingly idolizing Roberts. The narrative shifts to a private conversation in the dark, where Edebiri expresses her concerns regarding Garfield’s character. A mysterious incident occurred in Edebiri’s apartment involving the two, but Garfield dismisses it as a mere grievance. The remainder of the trailer portrays the deteriorating situation, primarily focusing on Roberts’ character’s emotional unraveling, culminating in her poignant statement, “Not everything is meant to make you comfortable.”
First Look at Colleen Hoover’s Verity Unveiled at CinemaCon
Colleen Hoover’s Verity Teaser Premiere at CinemaCon:
The teaser begins with Josh Hartnett and Anne Hathaway meeting at a bar, where Hartnett attempts to charm her, only to be rejected. The scene transitions to a glimpse of Hathaway’s character, who appears to be paraplegic. The narrative then shifts to a dream sequence featuring Hathaway’s darker alter ego. The teaser concludes with a police officer questioning Dakota Johnson’s character, “Are you by any chance working on the next Verity book?” To which she confidently responds, “It will be the best one yet.”
11:52 PM – Michael B. Jordan shares an on-screen message for The Thomas Crown Affair: “This isn’t merely another remake. It’s the kind of film that demands to be experienced on the big screen.”
11:33 PM – Phil Lord, Chris Miller, and Ryan Gosling take the stage. Ryan Gosling states, “It’s an incredibly ambitious narrative that is vast in scope and seemed challenging to create, which aligns perfectly with our style.”
Fresh Footage from Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary Unveiled
Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary Teaser Premieres:
The teaser opens with a light-hearted “knock knock” joke, then transitions to Ryan Gosling’s character, Ryland Grace, teaching a middle school science class. The initial segment portrays Grace being recruited for a world-saving mission, where he meets other scientists and learns about Project Hail Mary. “It’s what you Americans would term a long shot,” a character named Stratt explains. Grace responds, “Hail Mary.” The teaser showcases various scenes of Grace and his fellow scientists preparing for the mission, culminating in his recruitment while expressing concerns about his lack of space training. We witness him on Earth and in space, sporting a beard after awakening during the mission. “This might be hard for you to grasp, but not everyone excels at this.” The trailer culminates with an AI alerting, “Object approaching,” revealing Grace’s discovery of an alien spacecraft alongside humorous exchanges. “Is anyone home?” Grace inquires, and in a humorous twist, he states into a camera, “So I met an alien.” The teaser is packed with captivating visuals of Grace both on Earth and in space, showcasing the collaborative effort of the team working on the project, along with Gosling’s trademark humor.
11:26 PM – The panel kicks off with a presentation of Project Hail Mary footage!
11:13 PM, Matthew Rudoy – Next, we have the Amazon MGM panel! I’m eager to receive potential updates on Project Hail Mary and Amazon’s plans for James Bond.
8:48 PM – That concludes Universal’s presentation! It was indeed a packed showcase. I will be eagerly counting down until the Wicked: For Good trailer releases online. Now, it’s time to take a breather before Amazon MGM Studios hosts their inaugural CinemaCon panel at 8:15 PM PT/11:15 PM ET.
Major Updates from Universal Studios
First Look at Wicked: For Good Captivates CinemaCon Audiences
Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated films of the year, Wicked: For Good has unveiled its initial footage. Detailed breakdowns follow:
The teaser opens with Glinda rushing outside, witnessing glass shattering on the building. “Elphaba, I know you’re out there. Just come in before the monkeys spot you.” Suddenly, Elphaba emerges from the shadows, stating, “There’s no turning back; this is between the wizard and me.”
Fiyero leads a squadron, declaring, “Our Wizard Lies,” as Elphaba writes this sentiment in the clouds while soaring through the sky. Glinda returns to the tower/attic where she last encountered Elphaba. We witness them together, with Glinda leaning on Elphaba’s shoulder, expressing, “Imagine what we could achieve together.”
Fiyero confronts Elphaba with a pistol, but swiftly redirects his aim at the Wizard, betraying him. “You’re the only friend I’ve ever had,” Elphaba confesses. Glinda counters, “And I have countless friends.” Subsequently, Elphaba states, “I’m off to see the wizard,” as she magically retrieves her broom and is last seen soaring away.
8:34 PM – Universal is set to conclude with a major highlight: Wicked: For Good. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are present, along with director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt. Teasing what lies ahead, Chu states, “Our second film explores the ramifications of the decisions [the characters] made. This film takes us beyond the point where [Dorothy] drops in.“
8:23 PM – Universal is shifting focus to future projects, particularly one of its most awaited 2026 releases: Steven Spielberg’s untitled film. Details remain scarce, but president Jim Orr describes it as “a return to form reflective of his monumental classics, infused with a propulsive, out-of-this-world twist.“
Exciting Progress on M3GAN 2 and Spinoff SOULM8TE
M3GAN 2 and its Spinoff SOULM8TE Take Center Stage
The first teasers for both M3GAN 2 and SOULM8TE were showcased. Kicking off with M3GAN 2:
The teaser opens with clips from the original film. We then see Megan awakening in what appears to be a Teletubby environment. Gemma explains they have reactivated her in that body until they can trust her again.
At this juncture, a new robot named Amelia has been constructed, designed using Megan’s framework, and it appears that nothing can stop her. Amelia has gone rogue, targeting everyone involved in her creation, which now includes Gemma and Cady. Megan persuades Gemma to reconstruct her original body to combat Amelia, enhancing her to be stronger, faster, and taller.
In an action-packed sequence, Megan utilizes a wing suit for flight. The teaser features various thrilling moments, highlighting confrontations between Megan and Amelia. Megan delivers several humorous lines, stating, “Hold on to your vaginas,” and adding, “I’ll make you a deal. You can eliminate Gemma, but don’t lay a finger on Cady.”
The teaser introduces a scenario where an adult robot is delivered to an apartment. She demonstrates various functions, including cleaning and providing companionship. She then declares to her buyer, “I love you. Please tell me you love me.” Her obsession escalates as she threatens and attacks anyone who approaches her owner. In a tense moment, the man’s girlfriend attempts to negotiate with her, but the robot responds with, “Don’t try that girl power sh*t with me,” followed by an attempted drowning.
Unveiling the First Footage from Black Phone 2
First Look at The Black Phone 2 Revealed
According to Mansoor, here’s how the footage for The Black Phone 2 unfolded:
The teaser commences with a desolate payphone/phone booth positioned by the roadside during winter. Finney strolls by, stopping to answer the phone. Subsequently, we see three photographs laid out on a table, followed by a boy trapped in a basement, as ominous footsteps descend the stairs. Eventually, Finney answers the phone, and the Grabber ominously speaks from the other side. “Hello Finney. Did you think our story had come to a close? You of all people understand that death is merely a word.” The footage primarily showcases Finney in the phone booth, interspersed with scenes of other boys (or children) being viciously attacked and nearly murdered, evoking a nightmarish atmosphere reminiscent of Freddy Krueger.
8:08 PM – The Black Phone 2 is next, and according to Blum, it’s “scarier than the first installment.” This statement is both thrilling and terrifying, especially coming from someone who was hesitant to view the first film due to its frightening reputation.
8:00 PM – The tone takes a chilling turn as Blumhouse takes the stage, launching with the premiere of the first trailer for Five Nights at Freddy’s 2. The teaser is brief, yet it plunges viewers back into the eerie world of Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. Jason Blum also confirms that this film will have an exclusive theatrical release, unlike the first movie which was available for streaming on Peacock.
Focus Features Showcases Upcoming Films
Focus Features Reveals Exciting New Footage
The Focus Features preview commenced with The Phoenician Scheme:
Benicio Del Toro wakes up in a field following a plane crash. A voice-over narrates the series of crashes that have occurred. The scene shifts to various characters from the film arguing, culminating in a coin flip to determine their next move. Michael Cera appears multiple times, hinting at a significant role, while Benedict Cumberbatch sports a strikingly large grey beard.
A close-up reveals numerous bees on sunflowers as Jesse Plemons narrates the importance of bees, stating that without the queen, the colony ceases to thrive. The segment concludes with Emma Stone’s character appearing shocked, suggesting she may have undergone a dramatic transformation.
Finally, the preview shifts to Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale:
The teaser commences at a horse racing track, featuring the Crawley family. Carson announces, “Welcome to 1930.” We catch glimpses of Lady Mary and Edith, followed by the reunion of the original cast members, including Lady Mary dressed in striking red. The montage showcases festive gatherings, culminating with Robert placing a kiss on his hand and gently touching the side of the Abbey.
7:57 PM – Focus Features takes center stage with an exciting preview of several upcoming projects, including The Phoenician Scheme, Bugonia by Yorgos Lanthimos, and Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Mansoor notes that they were showcased back-to-back, making for a rapid yet thrilling preview.
7:45 PM – Universal presents sneak peeks of two promising projects: Him and Nobody 2. The former promises a twisted narrative centered around a football player (played by Tyriq Withers) who suffers a head injury, spiraling into madness. Meanwhile, in the latter, Bob Odenkirk returns as an unexpected action star, facing off against a gang of goons while on a family vacation.
7:36 PM – Exciting news! Following overwhelmingly positive feedback for the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, Universal has greenlit a sequel, slated for release on June 11, 2027. Clearly, the studio believes they have a hit on their hands.
7:21 PM – After the adrenaline-fueled excitement of Jurassic World, Universal shifts gears to DreamWorks Animation, highlighting a film they anticipate to launch their next major franchise: Gabby’s Dollhouse, a hybrid family adventure inspired by the beloved Netflix series.
New Footage from Jurassic World Rebirth Unveiled
Exciting New Footage from Jurassic World Rebirth
Universal kicked off with exhilarating new footage from Jurassic World Rebirth, promising classic dinosaur thrills. Mansoor provides the following insights:
The footage opens with alarms blaring in the lab, depicting someone trapped inside a chamber with one of the mutant dinosaurs (the infamous red room featured in marketing). “On the island we’re heading to, two dozen species have survived in isolation,” a character states. A T-rex is seen charging into the water, pursuing a group of people escaping on a dinghy. Numerous scenes from the trailer are showcased, including a moment reminiscent of classic films where Johansson lures a raptor-like dinosaur away from the others, mirroring Ian Malcolm’s tactics in The Lost World.
7:12 PM – The first movie up is Jurassic World Rebirth, with director Gareth Edwards and stars Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali in attendance. Speaking about joining this beloved franchise, Johansson, who has long desired to participate in a Jurassic film, states, “This time, I went directly to Steven Spielberg and expressed my willingness to play any role, even if it meant being eaten in the first five minutes. It’s an incredible honor to be here within the Jurassic [World].” With this installment, “We aimed to reintroduce genuine scares into the Jurassic experience.”
6:59 PM – According to Mansoor, the opening sequence unfolded as follows:
It began with the iconic Universal logo, followed by clips from Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, How To Train Your Dragon, Psycho, Jaws, Fast & Furious, Despicable Me, Shrek, Conclave, Oppenheimer, E.T., and Wicked.
6:50 PM – The moment has arrived! The Universal/Focus Features presentation is commencing, and our on-the-ground reporter Mansoor Mithaiwala is in position. The event begins with an orchestral performance featuring various iconic Universal scores. Who could forget Jurassic Park?
6:00 PM – We have approximately 45 minutes before the Universal/Focus Features presentation! I’m eager to uncover fresh details about the upcoming Downton Abbey movie, and hopefully, catch a glimpse of Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey. Additionally, I’m excited for this summer’s Jurassic World Rebirth, which made a striking appearance at CinemaCon with this impressive standee:
4:35 PM – As a fervent admirer of the original animated films, I’ve been cautious about the upcoming How to Train Your Dragon remake; however, early reactions are undeniably promising. I highly recommend checking them out while we await the Universal panel in a few hours!
3:16 PM – The consensus is clear: How to Train Your Dragon is a tremendous success! The forthcoming live-action adaptation of this beloved animated franchise is garnering highly positive reactions on social media, with critic Scott Menzel labeling it “a must-see on the big screen” and ScreenRant‘s own Tessa Smith lauding how it “captures all the charm of the original, enhanced into something I never anticipated it could achieve.”
2:57 PM ET – Greetings, everyone! Welcome to Day 3 of CinemaCon. This is News Editor Rachel LaBonte, and I am excited for more cinematic thrills. Most presentations are set to occur later today, but we already have exciting discussions underway about the initial reactions to How to Train Your Dragon! As opinions flood in, let’s see what the audience thinks of this divisive live-action remake.
ScreenRant is on-site at CinemaCon! This annual convention dedicated to the cinema industry is a crucial event for Hollywood – it has become the venue for studios to unveil their upcoming projects, often showcasing posters, trailers, and footage for highly anticipated titles for the first time.
This year’s edition, taking place at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from March 31 to April 3, is especially significant. Following the one-two punch of the pandemic and the Hollywood strikes of 2023, theater owners are eager to see the film industry deliver substantial hits. Major studios are keen to demonstrate that their 2025 lineups can rejuvenate a box office that has struggled thus far this year.
Today marks Day 3 of CinemaCon, and key highlights on the agenda include presentations by Universal and Focus Features from 3:45-5:30 PM local time (6:45-8:30 PM ET) and Amazon MGM from 8:15-10 PM local time (11:15 PM-1 AM ET). However, prior to both, we anticipate the first screening of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, one of the year’s most anticipated releases. Stay tuned for the initial reactions from that, along with SR‘s continuous live coverage from the ground!