Sony Pictures kicked off the 2022 CinemaCon at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with a presentation of their upcoming theatrical releases. The studio unveiled the first footage from The Woman King, unfinished footage from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and the full first reel of Bullet Train. A sizzle reel touched on the studio’s other projects, with the presentation ending with early footage from George Foreman, a biopic directed by George Tillman Jr. and made with the support of the former heavy-weight champion.
The following is a recap of key events from the presentation held on April 25, 2022.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group President Josh Greenstein confirmed the studio’s commitment to maintaining the exclusive theatrical window. Greenstein pointed out Spider-Man: No Way Home is the 3rd highest-grossing film in U.S. history, even with the never-ending pandemic. And despite audiences still being a little leery, Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, noted the studio’s impressive $3.3 billion box office haul. “What are you guys doing here? Don’t you know you’re dead?!” joked Rothman to the crowd of National Association of Theatre Owners attendees.
Director David Leith appeared in person to promote the star-studded action film Bullet Train. Leith said he set out with lofty goals to make something original, something people will come back to the cinema to watch. It was always his intention this film would be screened in theaters.
Leith described Bullet Train as an action thriller with a comedic edge and promised audiences a “Brad Pitt like you’ve never seen before.” He teased the film’s full of characters who find out that fate is something you ultimately can’t control, and then showed off the film’s first reel. The footage introduced Brad Pitt’s character, Ladybug, as well as several other key passengers on the train, and showed a few absolutely bonkers action scenes including one featuring a briefcase as a weapon.
Bullet Train stars Brad Pitt, Andrew Koji, Bad Bunny, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Brian Tyree Henry. Sony’s set a July 29, 2022 release date.
Reese Witherspoon taped a message for CinemaCon in support of Where the Crawdads Sing. Witherspoon is a fan of Delia Owens’ novel and serves as a producer on the film which debuted a new trailer starring Daisy Edgar-Jones at CinemaCon. Directed by Olivia Newman, Where the Crawdads Sing opens on July 15th.
Co-writer and director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball) made her first appearance at CinemaCon to talk about The Woman King starring Viola Davis. Prince-Bythewood, an admirer of historic epics, said every director wants to work with Davis because it is a chance to touch greatness. The writer/director praised Davis for setting the tone on set with her brilliance, work ethic, and unquenchable desire for excellence.
Viola Davis added another trophy to her shelf as the winner of CinemaCon’s first-ever Trailblazer of the Year award. “The five words I don’t want to take to my grave would be I was not brave enough,” said Davis. The Oscar winner recalled watching Cicely Tyson on screen when she was just nine years old and how that experience transformed her and made her believe in something bigger than her world.
“As a human being, I wanted to sit in an audience and be transfixed, transformed,” said Davis, noting that’s something great stories are capable of doing.
Davis felt it was divine intervention to be connected to The Woman King and to be able to introduce a whole area of storytelling to the world. She described the film as a labor of love.
The first footage of The Woman King focused on Viola Davis as the leader of the Dahomey Amazons. TriStar Pictures’ official synopsis: “Inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries, The Woman King tells the story of Nanisca (Davis), General of the all-female military unit known as the Amazons, and her daughter Nawi, who together fought the French and neighboring tribes who violated their honor, enslaved their people, and threatened to destroy everything they’ve lived for.”
Sony’s presentation also found Bad Bunny taking the stage to discuss El Muerto, the first Latino character to lead a Marvel live-action film. “This opportunity to bring El Muerto to life is amazing, it’s incredible,” said Bad Bunny. He grew up watching wrestling and said, “I think it’s the perfect role, to me.”
El Muerto is targeting a January 12, 2024 theatrical release.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller were next up, joking about being in the tough spot of having to follow Viola Davis and Bad Bunny. Lord and Miller described Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as “way, way, way bigger than the last one.” Their animated sequel has the largest crew of any animated movie ever, with about 1,000 people working to bring the story alive on screen. Plus, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse had 40 characters; the sequel has 240.
Lord and Miller also confirmed Across the Spider-Verse, opening on June 2, 2023, will take place in at least six universes. And they announced the new title for Across the Spider-Verse Part 2 is Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (coming in 2024).
The first 15 minutes of Across the Spider-Verse raw footage, featuring Hailee Steinfeld’s Spider Gwen, Oscar Isaac’s Miguel O’Hara, and Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales, was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Sony’s presentation wrapped up with the confirmation of more installments in the Venom and Ghostbusters franchises.
