Stars Galore at CinemaCon
CinemaCon has been steadily gaining momentum, but it truly broke into the cultural consciousness after being spoofed in The Studio, a Hollywood satire by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Originally intended to highlight new technologies and developments in the film industry, the event has evolved into a major gathering that generates as much excitement as Comic-Con. This year’s edition, held at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, has been the most glamorous yet, drawing a star-studded lineup of Hollywood’s biggest names and showcasing an impressive array of upcoming movie trailers.
Here are four standout moments from this year’s CinemaCon:
A Star-Studded Affair
Stars are always expected at CinemaCon, as the event is all about promoting the biggest upcoming films. This year, however, the event was particularly star-packed, with big names like Zendaya, Jack Black, Timothée Chalamet, Tom Cruise, Milly Alcock, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson all making appearances.
Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock made a rare on-stage reunion to present Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 cult classic. This meant that exes Kidman and Cruise were both at CinemaCon at the same time. Meanwhile, Air Bud the dog made a surprise appearance, confirming that he did all his own stunts in Air Bud Returns.
Some celebrities went above and beyond. Jason Momoa rode onto the stage on a “spacehog” motorbike from the DC Universe to promote his role as interstellar bounty hunter Lobo in Supergirl. Others, like Tom Holland, appeared only as a hologram to co-present Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Could hologram junkets become the new norm?
This surge in star power might be due to the strong slate of upcoming movies, but it could also reflect A-listers’ growing interest in protecting the theatrical experience. With streaming and AI-generated content becoming more prevalent, the future of cinema is under threat. Promoting a film in person, no matter how early, has never been more important.
Warner Bros. Keeps Busy
All eyes were on Warner Bros. heading into CinemaCon, especially given its impending sale to Paramount. Many in the industry are concerned about what this merger could mean for the studio’s film slate and the amount of time its movies are shown in cinemas. However, based on its packed showcase, it seems like not much will change.
Warner Bros. plans to release 18 films in theatres in 2027—up from just eight in 2025. The studio also promised a string of highly anticipated titles, including:
- Digger (starring Tom Cruise)
- DC’s Clayface
- Supergirl
- Dune: Part Three
- Evil Dead Burn
- Practical Magic 2
- Mortal Kombat II
While the lineup lacks original and non-franchise powerhouses like Sinners and Weapons from last year, it still looks promising for box office success. The studio also showcased films scheduled beyond 2026, such as Game of Thrones: Aegon’s Conquest, Zach Cregger’s The Flood, and The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which saw the announcement of a new cast including Leo Woodall and Jamie Dornan.
However, not everyone is convinced. Cinema United president Michael O’Leary warned CinemaCon audiences about the risks of concentrating market power in the hands of fewer distributors.
“Unfortunately, history shows us that consolidation results in fewer films being produced for movie theatres. We believe this transaction will be harmful to exhibition, consumers and the entire entertainment ecosystem,” he said.
An AI-Generated Val Kilmer
One of the most talked-about moments at CinemaCon was the first glimpse of an AI-generated Val Kilmer in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave. The actor, who passed away last year after battling throat cancer, was too ill to film his role as Catholic priest Father Fintan in the historical drama. To ensure his presence in the film, filmmakers used generative AI, with the approval of Kilmer’s estate.
In the trailer, Kilmer says, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me,” in a voice that is eerily realistic. This uncanny portrayal of the legendary actor, both as a younger and older man, has already generated significant hype around the film, though it raises questions about the future of acting and representation.
Don’t Sleep on the Indies
While major studios dominated the headlines at this year’s CinemaCon, independent films managed to hold their own. Neon hosted a solo showcase, presenting bold genre films such as Na Hong-jin’s Hope, I Love Boosters, and the Australian horror Leviticus. The first-ever “Film Showcase” also gave smaller studios like Angel Studios, Row K Entertainment, and StudioCanal a chance to present their slates.
This suggests a growing desire within the industry to diversify what’s available on screen and provide space for a broader range of voices beyond blockbuster fare. From indie gems to high-profile studio releases, CinemaCon continues to be a must-attend event for anyone interested in the future of film.
