WALT DISNEY STUDIOS THRILLS 2023 CINEMACON ATTENDEES AT ANNUAL CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS

A sneak peek of the upcoming theatrical schedule provided by The Walt Disney Studios earlier today delighted attendees of the 2023 CinemaCon Convention. In its second century, the business is commemorating 100 Years of Wonder.

On the Colosseum stage at Caesar’s Palace, Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment, and Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution, shared information about the Studio’s upcoming exclusive theatrical releases, including casting news and content sneak peeks.

For the first time since 2019, the Studio will release movies from all of its renowned production studios, including Disney Live Action, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Animation Studios, 20th Century Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.

Bergman thanked the exhibitors for their ongoing cooperation and for contributing to the $2.3 billion worldwide success of “Avatar: The Way of Water.”

He then acknowledged Disney’s 100th anniversary and the legacy of iconic storytelling it has left behind before handing the stage over to Chambers. Chambers emphasized the unique experience of enjoying a great story in the cinema and led the audience through a jam-packed presentation of must-see films that will arrive in theaters over the coming months.

An exclusive clip from Marvel Studios’ “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” which debuts in the United States and Canada on May 5, was shown to the audience first.

James Gunn once again serves as the film’s director, and Chris Pratt is the star of the ensemble cast.

Additionally, a brand-new trailer for “The Marvels,” which debuts on November 10, was shown. Brie Larson plays Carol Danvers in the follow-up to “Captain Marvel,” which also stars Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

Regarding one of the most eagerly awaited films this holiday season, Chambers revealed that Chris Pine (“Into the Woods,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”) joined the voice cast of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” playing King Magnifico opposite Academy Award® winner Ariana DeBose (“West Side Story”) as Asha.

The original animated musical adventure “Wish” draws inspiration from the classics to tell a timeless tale by fusing a stunning watercolor style with ground-breaking CG animation. DeBose’s “This Wish,” one of the movie’s original songs, was featured in a special scene. The nationwide premiere of “Wish” is November 22nd.

Melissa McCarthy, a two-time Oscar® nominee (for the films “Bridesmaids” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), who portrays Ursula in Disney Live Action’s adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” appeared onstage with Chambers to present an exclusive first look at her rendition of the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from the movie. The Cinema Véritê Award presented by CinemaCon will get given to the actress.

The music for “The Little Mermaid” was written by three-time Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”), who is also an Academy Award® nominee for “Chicago.”

McCarthy is joined in the movie by Halle Bailey, Awkwafina, Tony Award winner Daveed Diggs from “Hamilton,” and Oscar winner Javier Bardem from “No Country for Old Men.” Before the movie’s May 26 theatrical release, tickets for the event went on sale today.

The “Haunted Mansion” from Disney Live Action was then given a special screening for CinemaCon attendees, highlighting the mythology and scope of the picture.

With an ensemble cast that includes Lakeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jared Leto as the Hatbox Ghost, Justin Simien’s comedy-horror adventure brings the well-loved theme park attraction to life.

When “Haunted Mansion” opens in theaters on July 28, audiences can expect to be frightened.

Following that, the audience watched 20 minutes of 3D-exclusive material from Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental.”

The animated film “Elemental” from Pixar, which continues to push the boundaries of animation and technology, is a story about finding connection, embracing differences, and figuring out your place in the world.

The entire movie will make its world premiere at the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival before going on sale to theaters nationwide on June 16th.

The newest trailer for Searchlight Pictures’ “Next Goal Wins” was then exclusively unveiled.

The film, which was directed by Academy Award®-winner Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “Jojo Rabbit”), centers on the American Samoa soccer team, who are well-known for their dreadful 31-0 FIFA defeat in 2001.

In this touching underdog comedy, the team hires down-on-his-luck, unconventional coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) in the hopes that he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around as the World Cup Qualifiers draw near. On November 17, 2023, in theaters.

CinemaCon attendees got treated to the teaser trailer for “A Haunting in Venice,” the latest Agatha Christie adaptation from 20th Century Studios and directed by Oscar® winner Kenneth Branagh (“Belfast”). The supernatural horror-thriller stars Branagh, Tina Fey, and recent Academy Award® winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”).

Additionally, the first trailer for “The Creator,” a movie from 20th Century Studios and New Regency, was shown there only, showcasing the film’s ambitious scope and gorgeous visuals. Filmgoers can catch John David Washington as Tenet and Gemma Chan as Eternals in the grand sci-fi action thriller directed by Gareth Edwards (“Rogue One,” “Godzilla”) on September 29th.

Harrison Ford, the star of Lucasfilm’s eagerly anticipated “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” then gave Chambers a special greeting and debuted an action-packed clip made especially for CinemaCon.

The James Mangold (“Ford v Ferrari”)-directed movie, which also features Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Mads Mikkelsen, will have its world premiere at Cannes before opening in theaters on June 30th.

The Boogeyman, from 20th Century Studios, was screened in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos as the studio’s final presentation. Rob Savage is the director of the Stephen King-penned horror thriller, which debuts in theaters on June 2nd.

About The Author

Ivy Rose

See author's posts