Warner Bros CinemaCon Panel Recap

Warner Bros has just finished up their CinemaCon panel and provided us with a look at their upcoming slate of movies and celebrating their 100-year anniversary. CEO David Zaslav reaffirmed WB’s commitment to theatrical releases and noted that movies perform better on streaming if they get a theatrical release first. He also stated that he wants WB to release up to twenty movies in theaters a year going forward. Read on for all the major announcements from Warner Bros’ CinemaCon panel.

Furiosa

WB showed off a brief look at the upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road prequel. The footage showed Anya Taylor-Joy looking almost exactly like Charlize Theron as Furiosa from Fury Road. Furiosa is directed by George Miller and is set to be released sometime in 2024.

Beetlejuice 2

WB confirmed that Beetlejuice 2 is in development. Jenna Ortega is rumored to star in the movie. Tim Burton is directing.

The Conjuring: Last Rites and The Nun 2

Warner Bros gave some info on their plans for the Conjuring Universe at CinemaCon. The upcoming fourth Conjuring film is titled The Conjuring: Last Rites. Additionally, a teaser for The Nun 2 was played. The brief teaser shows a young girl being stalked by The Nun. Taissa Faminga and Storm Reid star in The Nun 2. The movie was filmed in France at a real abandoned church.

The Nun 2 releases September 8, 2023.

Barbie

Zaslav praised Barbie and its director Greta Gerwig, referring to Gerwig as “one of the great writers and directors of her generation.” Later the whole cast took to the stage with Gerwig. Ryan Gosling had doubts about playing Ken: “I only knew Ken from afar. I didn’t know Ken from within. If I’m being really honest, I doubted my Kenergy. I didn’t see it.” Gerwig added that technicolor musicals, like The Wizard of Oz, heavily influenced the film.

A new trailer for the film was screened which featured the tagline, “If you love Barbie, if you hate Barbie, This movie is for you.” The footage featured a new song by Dua Lipa, John Cena as a mermaid, and Barbie panicking over having flat feet.

Barbie releases July 21, 2023

The Color Purple

Footage for The Color Purple was showcased. The movie is a remake of the 1985 film and is also based on the musical of the same name. The footage calls the movie “Not Your Mama’s Color Purple”. Oprah stars in the movie. Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, and Fantasia also star.

The Color Purple releases on December 25, 2023.

Final Destination 6

The company confirmed that a sixth Final Destination movie is being developed. Zach Lipovsky & Adam B. Stein are directing the film while Jon Watts is producing and helping with the story.

Wonka

WB showed off a trailer for Wonka starring Timothée Chalamet. Notably, the trailer features Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa. The movie is an origin story for Willy Wonka. Wonka is directed by Paul King

Wonka releases on December 15, 2023.

The Meg 2: The Trench

The first trailer for the movie was showcased. The trailer featured a shark eating a dinosaur and multiple Megladons. Jason Statham also dons a mech suit to fight the sharks off.

The Meg 2 releases on August 8, 2023.

Dune Part Two

The sequel picks up immediately after the end of Dune. Zendaya confirmed she will have a much larger role in Part Two than she did in the first. Director Denis Villeneuve said this film is more action-packed than the first and fully filmed in IMAX. Timothée Chalamet confirmed his character will ride a Sandworm and the riding sequence was shot practically. The trailer that was shown heavily focuses on the Sandworm riding.

Dune Part Two releases November 3, 2023.

The DC Universe

Warner Bros wrapped up their CinemaCon panel with a focus on The DCU. Peter Safran says the films they have coming out for the rest of 2023 help set the stage for the future of the DCU that he and James Gunn have planned.

Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom features Aquaman and Orm repairing their relationship while trying to stop Black Manta. Director James Wan noted the movie will visit “beautiful strange new worlds.”

Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom releases on December 20, 2023.

Blue Beetle has a big focus on the family and their relationships with one another. The movie is said to be more on ensemble despite its title. Star Xolo Maridueña says his Jaime has concerns about getting powers“I think he’s the only person ever to get superpowers and not want them.”

Blue Beetle flies into theaters on August 18, 2023.

What announcement was your favorite from Warner Bros’ CinemaCon panel? Let us know down in the comments!

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