Warner Bros. Pictures did not disappoint at CinemaCon 2022. From Wonka and The Flash footage to lengthy discussions with Elvis‘ Baz Luhrmann and Austin Butler, Don’t Worry Darling’s director Olivia Wilde, the Shazam! Fury of the Gods cast, and Dwayne Johnson, WB’s 2022 CinemaCon panel was loaded with one delicious movie treat after another.
Chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group Toby Emmerich kicked off the presentation by going off-script. “It’s good to be back and believe me when I tell you we’ve missed you so much,” said Emmerich to the National Association of Theatre Owners members in attendance. Covid-19 altered Warner Bros’ release plans and caused friction with theater owners, but now that theaters are open Emmerich reiterated the studio’s desire to screen their lineup in cinemas first.
Emmerich said they have a dynamic mix of powerful stories lined up. “This is one of the most diverse slates we’ve ever had,” said Emmerich, adding they were all made to be experienced on big screens.
Emmerich acknowledged the importance of the collective experience of audiences gathering in a dark theater to take in a filmmaker’s vision. And speaking of gathering in theaters, Emmerich confirmed Matt Reeves and Rob Pattinson are reuniting for The Batman 2.
Reeves joined him briefly on stage but, of course, it’s way too early for any real details. He did share that he’s excited to jump back into the world of Batman.
Denis Villeneuve appeared in a taped message in support of Dune, parts one and two. Villeneuve is already deep into pre-production on Dune Part 2 which is targeting a 2023 theatrical release. Dune was a life-changing experience for the director and he thanked IMAX, in particular, for allowing him to fulfill his vision.
Aisha Tyler took over hosting duties and guided the WB presentation through the studio’s roster of upcoming releases. She greeted the audience with “Welcome back to the before times that are now the after times.”
A highlight reel of Baz Luhrmann’s work screened and then Baz joined Tyler to discuss Elvis. Luhrmann is quite the talker and could have easily taken up the entire two-hour presentation time if Tyler would have let him.
Luhrmann made his first film 30 years ago and actually rarely makes movies; he couldn’t remember whether he’s made five or six. He talked about how his love of the cinema stemmed from growing up in a small country town with five houses and a gas station. His dad could thread a Bell & Howell 16 mm projector so they took over running the movie house. He’ll never forget what it felt like to be nine years old and fall in love with films. The cinema brings everyone together and Luhrmann believes the human condition needs that shared experience.
“I love biopics but this is not really a biopic,” said Luhrmann, discussing Elvis. The film’s really about America in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, and Elvis was in the middle of all of the societal changes. He describes the film as being about Elvis the rebel, Elvis the highest paid actor, and Elvis in later years trapped by Colonel Tom Parker. Luhrmann really wanted to explore the tension between artistic desire and the “sell,” and what happens when those two desires are in conflict.
Audiences will hear the classics and see the story of Elvis, but this take will also translate the rock and roll icon for a younger generation. New footage screened and it confirmed the film’s got a cool, sexual energy to it. I captured my first reaction to the footage in a tweet: “Calling it now – #Elvis will catapult Austin Butler into superstar status. New footage is amazing! #Cinemacon2022”
Luhrmann said if Elvis feels like a superhero film that’s because it is. “Elvis is kind of the original superhero. He rises so high, then finds his kryptonite and falls so low and then a beautiful, powerful tragedy ensues.”
Sticking with the superhero topic for a moment, Luhrmann joked, “Man can not live by Batman alone,” noting we need to bring all audiences back into the theaters. (He also said he loved Reeves’ The Batman.)
The film’s Elvis Presley, Austin Butler, joined his director on stage, with Luhrmann confirming Austin sings all of young Elvis in the film.
“I was over the moon to get to explore the life of Elvis and for as long as we got to do it,” said Butler, describing Luhrmann as one of the greatest filmmakers cinema has ever had.
Butler’s Elvis isn’t an impersonation and he actually broke the performance into periods of time, capturing the different voices from throughout Presley’s life. “I set out to find his humanity,” explained Butler. “He’s one of those individuals who reached up to an iconic status. He seems superhuman.”
Next, WB provided a sneak peek at Wonka directed by Paul King and opening in December 2023. Timothee Chalamet stars in what looks like a more family-friendly adaptation of Roald Dahl’s work than 2005’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp. The footage looked strictly G-rated and the vibe was fantastical. “You’ve never had chocolate like this!” sings Chalamet. I’d describe it as refreshingly enthusiastic, if that makes sense.
The Flash gave CinemaCon attendees a quick sneak peek at the first big-screen foray into the DC multiverse. Although the footage was impressive with brief glimpses of seven Batman costumes, Supergirl, and Zod, it was the appearance of Michael Keaton as Batman that earned the footage a loud cheer. “You wanna get nuts? Let’s get nuts!” said Keaton, a callback to the line from his 1989 Batman.
Olivia Wilde was next up with Don’t Worry Darling, the much-anticipated psychological thriller starring Florence Pugh, Chris Pine, and Harry Styles. Wilde described the film as inspired by The Truman Show, The Matrix, and Inception, and the footage lived up to that description. I tweeted it feels like a film you’ll want to dissect and discuss every frame of, which pretty much sums up my feelings even hours after the footage was screened.
Wilde said the film’s ambitious and she believes they’ve made something really special. “I want you to imagine a life you had everything you could possibly dream of,” said Wilde. “What would it take for you to give up that life, to do what’s right?”
Don’t Worry Darling is a film made for movie theaters, designed that way from the cinematography to the sound design. Wilde aimed for the moon “as long as the moon was at a multiplex near you,” and the twisted thriller’s a product of hundreds of people doing some of the best work of their careers.
Wilde described Florence Pugh as fierce and tough, and she believes Chris Pine gives a career-best performance. And as for Harry Styles, Wilde said he’s “an up-and-coming actor with no other career that I am aware of. And he is nothing short of a revelation in this part.”
Wilde joked she’s also in the film because she’s the only one they could afford at that point in casting.
The color palette’s sumptuous and the cinematography is stunning. Wilde’s passion project looks like it could put her back in the awards season spotlight. Her directorial debut, Booksmart, earned Critics Choice Awards, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, and Writers Guild nominations and won Best First Feature at the Spirit Awards.
Warner Bros brought out not only Zachary Levi, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Asher Angel to CinemaCon, they also brought Dame Helen Mirren to the stage for the upcoming Shazam! sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Levi said he’s grateful to have been able to play Shazam once and “now it’s double the blessing.”
Helen Mirren couldn’t give away too much about her character but did say she’s playing someone who believes she’s right and is convinced of her righteousness.
Angel said adulthood is on the horizon for Billy, and we’ll catch up with him at a time when he’s unsure if he’ll have to leave the foster family. Grazer described Freddie as still pretty “pubic” – before correcting that to say he’s pre-pubescent. Freddy remains super excited about his powers and Grazer said he’s a fun character to play.
“There’s a lot going on in Billy’s mind and heart as he’s growing older,” explained Levi, confirming the sequel won’t veer from the magic they found in the first movie. It will still be a blend of comedy, drama, and action, with a whole lot of heart.
Unfortunately, Aquaman – Jason Momoa – couldn’t make it to Vegas but did send a message from London. He’s happy they got the band back together for 2023’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The sequel’s funny and heartfelt, and he claimed to have had a big hand in the script.
Director James Wan appeared in person and explained they’re trying to take the world they created to the next level with the new Aquaman.
“The visual is a big part of these kinds of films. In the first movie we put the actors through a lot of physical pain,” said Wan. With the sequel, they’re embracing new technology. Each actor had hundreds of cameras on them to capture their performances which were then put on a 3D version of the actor during action sequences. Wan said it’s still the actors’ performances but less hard on their bodies.
For his part, Momoa says there’s nothing he’s ever been a part of that’s like this sequel.
James Wan remained on stage to talk about Salem’s Lot, based on the bestselling Stephen King novel. Wan, a producer on the first feature film adaptation of King’s novel, said they wanted the film to have an old-school Stephen King vibe.
Gary Dauberman wrote both installments of IT and directs Salem’s Lot. Dauberman was present at CinemaCon and said the novel is one of his all-time favorites of any genre. He called it the crown jewel of King’s library and said he’s very honored to be shepherding it onto the silver screen.
The WB presentation finished up with two upcoming releases starring Dwayne Johnson: DC League of Super-Pets and Black Adam. After a teaser video claiming he was in Hawaii, The Rock made his way through the crowd for the final segment of WB’s CinemaCon panel.
Johnson said he feels good about the future of theatrical cinema. Everyone took their hits with Covid but it feels like we’re on the other end of it. “We are reinvesting in bringing the theatrical experience back,” said Johnson.
Discussing Super-Pets, Johnson said, “I think we really have a shot with this one. The conceit of this is almost like what took so long?” The film features the Justice League’s pets and he voices Krypto, Superman’s dog.
“I play Krypto. The cast is great. We lean on the chemistry between myself and Kevin Hart,” explained Johnson, teasing the unique dynamic that he and Kevin have is on display throughout the film.
Moving on to Black Adam, Johnson confirmed bringing this character alive on screen has been a dream of his for a decade. Johnson and Warner Bros. first discussed the film 10+ years ago, and early on the studio said they were going to take their time and do it right. There wasn’t any need to rush it. “It really served us well to wait and hold, and watch these other stories of superheroes unfold,” said Johnson.
Black Adam is one of the things in his life that gets him out of bed. “It makes me a burner,” explained Johnson. He also teased the DC hierarchy is going to change.
“In this movie, we also introduce the JSA. The JSA is the Justice Society of America,” said Johnson who added that Black Adam will also be introducing and creating a world we haven’t seen before.
I’ve been covering CinemaCon for 20+ years, way back when I wrote for About.com – remember that site? – but this year’s panel marked the first time the CinemaCon audience will be part of a film. Johnson led the audience in a short burst of screaming that will be used in a scene in Black Adam. Johnson told the enthusiastic crowd this will give them something to brag about when they see the finished film.
DC League of Super-Pets opens on July 29, 2022 and Black Adam will be released on October 21, 2022.
