Day three of Cinemacon began with an exclusive showing of Disney Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. While no additional details or exclusives were revealed other than the premiere, it was a great way to start of the day.
The evening showcase was dedicated to Universal as well as Focus Features. With a complete slate of upcoming movies for the remainder of 2021 and into early 2022. Universal began the show with a sneak peek of some of it’s exciting lineup. Including the following:
Sing 2, featuring the incredible talents of Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly, Halsey and featuring Bono as Clay Calloway. It is one of two sequels that Universal showed off and one that is certain to entertain audiences of all ages.
Halloween Kills, the second sequel to be shown off at the presentation, featuring everyone’s favorite slasher Michael Meyers taking place immediately following the events of the first movie. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis in a follow-up that made her one of the original slasher queens, it is sure to frighten everyone this Halloween season
The Black Phone, an upcoming thriller movie directed by Scott Derrickson. Featuring Ethan Hawke in his first big screen bad guy appearance. Look for it to make its way into theaters in early 2022
Ambulance, a robbery-gone-bad movie from blockbuster Michael Bay, stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as two step-brothers, who find themselves on the wrong end of the law. This looks to bring the big explosions and car chases that Michael Bay movies are known for.
355, a action/spy movie also makes its big screen debut in 2022. Featuring Jessica Chastain, Fan Bingbing, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong’ o and Penelope Cruz in a film that brings some of the most badass women to the screen. A group of women from different countries, different organizations, brought together to bring down a global organization from acquiring a weapon that could bring chaos to the globe.
Marry Me, a new romantic comedy featuring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez. This will mark Lopez’s first time singing in a major motion picture since Selena. A superstar pop artist ends up marrying a relative nobody and chaos and comedy ensues. Look for it to hit theater just in time of Valentines Day in 2022.
Dear Evan Hansen, adapted from its award winning musical and featuring Ben Platt takes on the world of a high school student who suffers from crippling anxiety. It is only after the suicide of one of his fellow classmates, that Evan begins to learn more about himself and those around him. Making it’s way to theaters in late September.
Finally, we got a rough cut of The Bad Guys. An animated adventure featuring the vocal talent of Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Sam Rockwell, Anthony Ramos and Marc Maron. A group of typecast bad creatures, who are wondering if it’s possible to step out of their stereotypical personas and become good for a change. Does Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha and Mr. Snake have what it takes to change their ways or do those stereotypes exist for a reason? We won’t find out until sometime in 2022.
Finally as a special surprise, we were treated to some behind the scenes footage of the upcoming Jurassic World Dominion. Everyone’s favorite dinosaur adventurers are back, including those from old and new films alike. This looks to be as epic as the largest Tyrannosaurus Rex. There was also a hint, that a new Fast-Five movie will be making its way back to the big screen in 2023.
Next up was Focus Features, and while they didn’t bring as large a showing, the titles they featured were some of the biggest and best from the studio to date. First up was Last Night in SOHO, a murder mystery set in both the present and the past. Featuring Anya Taylor Joy as Sandy and Thomsain McKenzie as Eloise, a young fashion designer is able to travel back into the 1960’s where she encounters an up and coming singer. As the dreams continue, she is pulled into an unsolved murder of the young woman in her dreams and must work to unravel the mystery before it is too late.
Belfast, a black and white drama directed by Kenneth Branagh follows the life of a working class family as they struggle through the late 1960s in the Northern Irish capital.
The Northman, is a violent, energy filled Viking adventure directed by Robert Eggers. Set to premiere in April 2022 a young Viking prince seeks to avenge the murder of his father. The beautiful landscapes of Iceland dominate the screen while the ruthless attacks take center stage. It is an epic not to be missed.
Finally, a surprise to most in the theater was the announcement of a new and upcoming Downtown Abbey, A New Era. Featuring much of what has made the series a global phenomenon with it’s intrigue and humor, it is sure to be yet another crowd pleaser.
