After a glitch that found Sony’s teaser reel screening minus any audio (it was eventually corrected), Sony Pictures Chairman Tom Rothman launched the studio’s CinemaCon presentation by saying they’ve doubled down on their film output with their slate reflecting both familiarity and freshness. Rothman said Sony’s slate has films with high name recognition, kicking off the presentation with the first look at Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
Directed by Life of Pi‘s Ang Lee, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk will be something “different from what we have seen before, but it will prove powerful,” explained Rothman. The film is a story of individual and collective bravery with parts of the war footage utilizing ultra high frame rate, giving the audience a real feel for the contrast between the intensity of war and Billy’s home life. After pointing that out Rothman was quick to add, “But technology is always second to story.” Sony then showed off some incredible footage from the film and although the effects were unfinished, the footage really grabbed our attention.
Next up was a preview of Passengers, the sci-fi/action/drama/romance starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. Rothman said the film’s script was as compelling as anything he’s ever read and he knew the project would require exceptional actors. Complimenting Lawrence, Rothman called her authentic and powerful, adding that she and Pratt are “sexy as hell together” in Passengers.
Pratt and Lawrence then joined Rothman on stage, with Lawrence explaining that in the film her character, a writer, goes on a 120 year journey to another planet. Pratt’s character, Jim, is also along for the ride. Jim’s a mechanic who fixes things but he became obsolete on Earth so he’s traveling to a new world and hopefully a new future where he can feel useful again. Reading from the teleprompter, Lawrence and Pratt both tried out the line, “They couldn’t be more opposite!” before deciding to quit using the teleprompter and just go for it. Pratt told the National Association of Theatres Owners members in the audience to stock up on goodies and sodas because they’ll need them when Passengers hits theaters later this year. He then dropped the mic after finishing up that joke, dropping the microphone on Jennifer Lawrence’s foot. Unfinished footage was screened and the on screen chemistry between Lawrence and Pratt was palpable. The footage showed the sci-fi effects aren’t going to overpower the story, and there was even whistling from the audience in response to the preview footage.
Rothman got in a quick swipe at a competitor after the footage screened. “I see that and I think to myself, let’s see Netflix do that.”
Rory Bruer, President of Worldwide Distribution, took over the hosting job, saying that audiences are more diverse and discerning than ever before. He then showed off a little Trainspotting 2 teaser with the full cast reuniting with director Danny Boyle (filming starts in May). Quick clips also followed of Baby Driver from Edgar Wright as well as more from Money Monster with Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Caitriona Balfe, and Jack O’Connell.
Kristine Belso, President of Sony Pictures Animation, then spoke about the new Nativity animated film that will be told from the point of view of the animals and will feature a donkey as the unsung hero. Smurfs: The Lost Village returns the weird blue creatures to a fully animated film in which they’ll have a big adventure in a lush world, with Demi Lovato voicing Smurfette. The Emoji Movie will arrive in August 2017 and will feature the secret world inside of our smart phones. Emojis from the text app will venture into the world of the wallpapers, with each icon becoming a unique world. Streaming music is literally a stream of music, etc… The animated slate also includes Hotel Transylvania 3 (September 2018) which will find the creatures traveling the globe on an adventure, but it will still maintain its focus on a multi-generational family.
Then it was time for the Ghostbusters cast to show they’re not afraid of ghosts or of NATO members. Director Paul Feig handled the interview duties, asking the film’s stars – Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon – about their characters. McCarthy says she believes in ghosts because she grew up on a farm and didn’t have any friends other than ghosts to talk to. McKinnon’s happy about her character because it channels her “lifelong love of taking stuff apart.” Wiig joked she went back to college to learn about particles and chemicals, which led to Feig throwing in that the cast has great chemistry. “I love an underdog story. I love when unlikely people become heroes,” said McCarthy about her involvement in the project. Jones said putting the Ghostbusters suit on made it real for her, and she felt badass in the costume. McKinnon added, “I was so relieved there was room for my crotch to breathe all summer.” Sony then screened the first scene from the film which involved Wiig getting slimed. A lengthy trailer also played showing more of Chris Hemsworth as the handsome but dumb receptionist, and there was the reveal of a special cameo that I won’t spoil but that won over the audience.
Director Antoine Fuqua and Chris Pratt then hit the stage to promote The Magnificent Seven. Fuqua explained, “The DNA [of the film] is redemption. The pursuit of justice is something that always resonates with us all.” Pratt said he’s always wanted to do a Western and that it’s his dad’s favorite genre. After starring in The Magnificent Seven Pratt says he now really understands where his dad’s love for the genre was coming from. Describing his character, Pratt revealed, “He’s somebody that you don’t want to cross.” And on the diverse cast of the film, Fuqua added, “I wanted it to look like the world we live in today.” Pratt said he loves Fuqua’s movies and that the cast and crew “worked our asses off on this movie.” Pratt described it as real and action-packed, and believes it will speak to today’s audiences. “I’ve seen this movie and it’s f**king awesome!” said Pratt. The action-heavy footage was just that, and the cinematography was simply stunning.
The Sony presentation finished up with the reveal of the new title for Spider-Man – Spider-Man: Homecoming. [Read more about that portion of the presentation here.]
