Spaceballs Sequel and Thomas Crown Affair Previewed at CinemaCon, Bond Updates Absent
The cast and filmmakers behind the Spaceballs sequel, including Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis, brought a wave of humor to CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday night. Their irreverent presentation offered a first look at the satire, which promises to revive the cult classic with a fresh twist.
Irreverent Humor and Studio Mergers Highlighted
In a sizzle reel shown at the event, a voiceover quipped, "With Hollywood studios merging willy nilly like middle aged couples at a swingers party, Amazon acquired MGM and opened the vault." The screen displayed images of Warner Bros. and Paramount, making Amazon MGM the only studio to publicly reference the pending acquisition at the conference so far.
Mel Brooks, in a pre-recorded video message, announced the title as Spaceballs: The New One. He joked, "It's just like the old one, but it's newer." Brooks explained that the film is not called "Spaceballs: The Search for More Money" because he had already found the money—in his basement. He also noted his absence from Caesar's Palace, citing a prior engagement to see Phish at the Sphere.
Rick Moranis's appearance on stage evoked a significant reaction from the crowd, though he managed only a few words before being interrupted repeatedly, a comedic bit that the cast adhered to throughout. The film is slated for theatrical release next year.
Amazon MGM Studios Showcases Diverse Slate
The Spaceballs sequel was just one highlight of Amazon MGM Studios' extensive presentation to theater owners. The studio also unveiled first looks at several other anticipated projects:
- Peter Farrelly's Sylvester Stallone biopic "I Play Rocky"
- Michael B. Jordan's "The Thomas Crown Affair", a romantic art heist film where Jordan directs and stars alongside Adria Arjona
- Jon Batiste performed a segment of the score he is composing for the film
Jordan, who recently won a best actor Oscar for his dual performance in "Sinners", shared his enthusiasm, stating, "I've been daydreaming about making this movie for years." He first watched the 1999 version at age 12, and it left a profound impression. For his adaptation, he aims to blend the style, sophistication, and rebellion of previous versions while making the character "someone you can root for."
Warm Reception and Future Releases
Amazon MGM Studios was warmly received by exhibitors, following their biggest theatrical release to date, "Project Hail Mary", which has grossed over $515 million globally. Due to its popularity, the film will return to IMAX theaters for a one-week engagement starting Friday.
Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller made a surprise appearance with Ryan Gosling to thank exhibitors for their support. Miller emphasized, "This movie is now the biggest original movie of the year because you believed in it."
The studio also previewed additional upcoming films:
- "Masters of the Universe", a summer He-Man movie starring Nicholas Galitzine
- "The Sheep Detectives", a family film featuring Galitzine, Hugh Jackman, and Nicholas Braun
- "How to Rob a Bank", a gonzo action pic presented by Pete Davidson and David Leitch, with Davidson describing it as "totally insane"
Later presentations included first looks at Henry Cavill in "Highlander" and Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's psychological thriller "Verity".
Notable Absence: James Bond Updates
One major franchise conspicuously absent from updates was James Bond. Amazon acquired MGM for $8.45 billion in 2021, partly driven by the allure of the 007 series. Last year, the joint studio announced it had taken creative control of the franchise after decades of family oversight, with longtime custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepping back.
Denis Villeneuve has been hired to direct the first film of the new era, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman producing. However, details remain scarce, including who might portray the iconic agent.
Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM's head of film, addressed the lack of news, stating, "We're taking time to do this with care and deep respect." The studio has committed to releasing 15 movies annually by 2027, signaling a robust future despite the Bond silence.
