The annual CinemaCon event in Las Vegas has unveiled a spectacular lineup of upcoming films, showcasing everything from superhero reunions to AI-powered performances and long-awaited sequels.
Marvel's Doomsday Approaches with Surprising Returns
Disney closed the conference with the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, revealing Robert Downey Jr's transformation into the masked villain Doctor Doom. The December 18 release brings together Marvel veterans and newcomers, featuring Channing Tatum as Gambit battling Simu Liu's Shang-Chi, while Patrick Stewart returns as Professor Xavier with ominous warnings. Chris Evans reprises his role as Captain America, telling the CinemaCon audience: "I said I would only come back if there was a real reason. And in Doomsday, there is a very real reason that these heroes need Steve Rogers."
Top Gun 3 Takes Flight
Paramount confirmed development of Top Gun 3, with a script already underway following the massive success of 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, which earned $1.5 billion globally. Tom Cruise, who appeared at the event to promote his environmental drama Digger, will return to the cockpit for the next installment.
Franchise Expansions and Fresh Takes
Ariana Grande joins the Meet the Parents universe in Focker In-Law, playing the love interest of Ben Stiller's son alongside returning star Robert De Niro. Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan presented exclusive footage from The Odyssey, his adaptation of Homer's epic poem starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya.
"Why The Odyssey? It's a story that has fascinated generation after generation for 3,000 years," Nolan explained. "It's not a story, but the story. I wanted to grab the exciting opportunity of bringing it to a modern cinema audience."
Dune's Thrilling Third Chapter
Dune: Part III promises a shift in tone according to director Denis Villeneuve, who described it as "more action-packed, faster-paced, and more emotional" than previous installments. The film will face direct competition when it opens on December 18—the same day as Avengers: Doomsday—creating what industry insiders are calling a "Dunesday" box office showdown.
AI Resurrects Hollywood Legend
In one of the conference's most talked-about reveals, filmmakers used artificial intelligence to complete Val Kilmer's performance in As Deep As The Grave after the actor's passing last year. The trailer shows Kilmer's digital likeness as a Catholic priest across different ages, culminating in a haunting moment where he tells a child: "Don't fear the dead, and don't fear me." The technology's convincing results have sparked renewed discussions about AI's potential impact on acting roles.
Bond, Paddington, and Social Media Sequels
Amazon MGM Studios provided a cautious update on the James Bond franchise, with film chief Courtenay Valenti stating: "When you pair one of the most beloved franchises in history with a world-class film-making team... you're setting the stage for something that's truly worthy of the Bond legacy."
Meanwhile, Paddington will return for a fourth film, and Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning—a sequel to The Social Network—will explore Facebook's 2021 whistleblower scandal with Jeremy Strong portraying Mark Zuckerberg. Michael B. Jordan also unveiled his remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, rounding out a diverse slate that promises to keep theaters busy through 2026 and beyond.