CinemaCon 2023 Day 2 Recap: Warner Bros., The Flash, Dune Part Two, Barbie, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

CinemaCon 2023 continued for Day 2 on Tuesday, April 25. The main events for Day 2 were the Warner Bros. Pictures studio showcase and of course, the screening of DC’s The Flash. The studio featured an eclectic mix of films across the board for its presentation, along with the promise of full theatrical windowing and bringing more big movies to theaters from David Zaslav.

The distribution chiefs Jeff Goldstein and Andrew Cripps opened the presentation, dressed in appropriate pink suits to hype up the Barbie movie and introduce the presentation. This kicked off a sizzle reel celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros. Pictures and showcasing films both new and old, along with snippets of some of the big upcoming releases that were shown later during the showcase. This was followed by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav making a big appearance. He made some bold promises to theatrical exhibitors as well during his speech, noting that Warner Bros. does not believe in “streaming movies” (anymore I suppose), also noting that WB movies on HBO Max perform better after they have a full theatrical run. He also promised they are going to push and support full theatrical windowing.

While I haven’t supported a great deal of Zaslav’s leadership decisions since taking power, I did think he said the right thing to exhibitors this week, and I do generally agree with the sentiment about theatrical windowing. Zaslav also did share a story about how you have a limited amount of time in your seat or position of power and talking about what are you going to tell your kids or your grandkids about the stories you told and the power of movies. WB did have the success of Evil Dead Rise this year at least, a film that was originally made to go to streaming, but ended up getting a full theatrical release instead, where it’s doing very well.

Zaslav then talked about working with Oprah Winfrey to launch the OWN and learning from her that she and Steven Spielberg are now working on a new movie for Warner Bros. That movie is the big screen musical adaptation of The Color Purple. The new 2023 film is a theatrical adaptation of the broadway musical based on Spielberg’s 1985 film, itself based Alice Walker’s novel of the same name. The new big-screen musical is directed by Blitz Bazawule, with Oprah Winfrey serving as the producer on the film. The film stars Taraji P. Henson as Shug Every, Fantasia as Celie Harris Johnson, and Danielle Brooks as Sofia. Bazawule, Oprah Winfrey, Henson, Fantasia, and Brooks were all in attendance live to talk about the film, with Oprah leading a Q&A session with the group to talk about their experiences making the film. Oprah called the film a full-circle moment for her career. The film opens on December 25.

Next up, Warner Bros. Pictures chiefs Pamela Abdy and Mike De Luca introduced stars Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, and writer-director Greta Gerwig, who were all live in attendance for the Barbie presentation. Gerwig talked about the process of writing the film with Noah Baumbach and telling him (jokingly) “step aside” when the question came up of who was going to direct the film. She also discussed the design process for the film and the building of the “Barbie World,” and how the design team went all out. She cited vintage technicolor musicals as one of the main inspirations of the film, and going to Barbie’s land is like going to Oz in the original Wizard of Oz film.

The sizzle reel for the film provided a much stronger semblance of the plot. Margot Robbie’s Barbie starts questioning her strange, surreal world and ventures to seek answers. She’s joined by Ken (Ryan Gosling), and together, they somehow enter the real world, where high jinks ensue. I’m not completely sure about the logistics and explanation, but the plot is basically Barbie and Ken leaving the “Barbie World” and going to the real world and how Barbie and Ken dolls have come to life and clash the modern day. I don’t know if I will enjoy Barbie, or it will be a hit. However, it looks like could be an amusing comedy at least. Plus, it’s got John Cena appearing as like an alternate version of Ken. One other thing I should mention is that there are multiple Kens and multiple Barbies that live in their world. Barbie hits theaters on July 21.

Next up from the presentation was an extended look at the new Wonka film. This looks to be a prequel or origin story for the Willy Wonka character, revealing how he became a world-famous chocolatier. The sizzle reel’s big reveal was that none other than Hugh Grant is portraying the Oompa Loompa. He more closely resembles the Oompa Loompas of the 1971 Gene Wilder movie, so perhaps this is being designed as a prequel to that film? I’m not really sold on the concept or necessity of this film, but it does have an impressive cast and some nice-looking sets and production values. At the very least, Hugh Grant portraying an Oompa Loompa could be fun. Wonka arrives on December 15.

The Conjuring Universe receives its next chapter with The Nun 2 later this year. Taissa Farmiga is back as Sister Irene, who must once again confront the malevolent demon Valac, aka The Nun (Bonnie Aarons). The footage sequence showed what appeared to be girls at a catholic school bullying a younger student and testing her on how to defy a devil by looking at a stain-glass window in a forbidden, derelict building with a stain-glass window with that depicts an image of a devil goat on it. However, there appears to be something creeping about the building that stalks the poor girl. The sizzle reel showcases Sister Irene coming back into the fold, as the demon appears to have reached the city in which the film is set. The Nun II looks to have a much wider scope and scale than the original, which looks intriguing. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first film, but we’ll see how the sequel turns out when it arrives in theaters on September 8.

Next up was easily the highlight of the whole presentation for me with Dune: Part Two. Director Denis Villeneuve and stars Timothee Chalamet (Paul Atreides) and Zendaya (Chani) were on hand for the presentation. Villeneuve noted how the first film was more like a contemplative appetizer, and Part Two is more like a bigger, denser main dish. The sequel picks up from where the first film left off. Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), have taken refuge with the Fremen rebels led by Stilgar (Javier Bardem). Now, Paul must try to fulfill his destiny and strike back at the Harkonnens and the Padishah Emperor for their treachery and to liberate the planet Arrakis, aka Dune.

The Dune: Part Two footage reel provided a nice look at some new material. It had our first looks at Florence Pugh as Irulan and Austin Butler and Feyd-Rautha. It didn’t dawn on me until I saw the footage, that they are keeping with the visual style they started with the Harkonnens in the first film. Feyd has extremely pale, light skin, and he’s completely bald like his cousin and uncle. I wasn’t particularly onboard with keeping Feyd out of the first film, but we’ll see how that creative decision pays off in the sequel.

The footage also provided a sizable look at Paul Atreides training and learning how to ride Shai-Hulud (the sandworms). Paul’s mastering of Shai-Hulud definitely looks like it will be one of the highlight sequences of the film, and it looks like that will be one of the scenes from the book that Villeneuve is definitely going to hit out of the part. The footage also showed more of Paul and Chani’s romance. There was only hints and teases at it in the first movie, and now Zendaya will finally get the chance to truly portray Chani in her full glory here.

One thing I hope we do get in the sequel that was not in the first part is some actual space travel. I want to see the Frank Herbert version of space travel onscreen with the folding of space and the Guild Navigators. There was not much of that in the original. We only got ships entering and leaving orbit in the first film. The lack of actual interstellar travel and even attempting to depict the space folding was a disappointment. Muad’Dib will seek out his destiny in Dune: Part Two, which hits theaters on November 3.

Warner Bros. also debuted a new trailer for the upcoming sequel to the 2018 hit movie The Meg, which is Meg 2: The Trench. Jason Statham is back as Jonas Taylor, and it looks like he will be facing off with more giant prehistoric sharks this time around. However, it looks like more old-world monstrosities have emerged from the deepest section of the Mariana Trench to the surface, looking for some food. The opening of the trailer had a fun sequence showing a T-Rex hunting some prey before a Megalodon jumps up from the water and catches it in its jaws while its on the beach.

I imagine people who enjoyed The Meg will have fun with the sequel. It looks like there will be even more action, with Jonas fighting the Megalodons on jetskis and even using these underwater mech-type suits. It looks like they’ve taken things in an even crazier direction from Steve Alten’s books. Meg 2: The Trench opens in theaters on August 4.

DC Studios finished things off for the remainder of the Warner Bros. presentation. DC Studios head James Gunn appeared in a pre-recorded message to go over the other DC films coming out for the rest of 2023. DC Studios co-head Peter Safran was also live in attendance to present the DC lineup. Up first was Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, as we got a nice piece of footage to look at the new film. Black Manta is back, and he now has untold power thanks to the Black Triton, which threatens to unleash an ancient evil. It looks to be a giant, tentacled monster or Eldritch Abomination that has been previously locked underground. Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), now must form an uneasy alliance with his half-brother, Orm (Patrick Wilson), in order to save both Atlantis and the surface world.

The Lost Kingdom is looking good so far, but I am concerned about all the delays. It looks like it will have a fairly large and epic scale similar to the first one. I wasn’t clear on the baby Arthur’s father was taking care of. I almost got the sense that Thomas and Atlanna had another baby, but it also might’ve been Arthur’s baby. It wasn’t clear. There wasn’t a lot of Mera present in the footage, but she was clearly there, so it does appear that she will have a more reduced role in the film. The other big question is what Aquaman’s future will be in the new DC Universe moving forward. Either way, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom finally opens in theaters on December 20.

Next up for the presentation was DC’s Blue Beetle. Director Angel Manuel Soto and stars Xolo Maridueña (Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle) and Bruna Marquezine (Jenny Kord) were present during the show to talk about the film. Soto talked about making Jaime Reyes’ family part of his superhero origin story and bringing Palmera City to life for the big screen. The presentation featured an extended version of the previously released trailer, that had some additional action beats and extra snippets of footage. The footage does show more of Raoul Max Trujillo as Conrad Carapax and his fully armored suit. It does appear to resemble his appearance as Carapax the Indestructible Man from the comics. The footage reel also showed more of Jaime in action with the suit, his sister is attacked by some soldiers, but she uses a special energy shield to defend herself, and then Jaime swoops in to take down the guards.

I’m glad Blue Beetle is finally getting his own movie. It looks like they at least got Jaime Reyes’ look as Blue Beetle right for the film. The tone does seem a lot closer to the Shazam film. It also looks to heavily focus on the dynamic with Jaime’s family and how important the bond Jaime has his with his family in the film. However, one thing that isn’t clear is how this film will fit into the new DC Universe and James Gunn and Peter Safran’s 10-year plan. Like if the film is a success, will they make more, and will it tie into the films Gunn and Safran are working on? Blue Beetle opens in theaters on August 18.

Closing out the Warner Bros. presentation was the newest trailer for the DC film The Flash. Director Andy Muschietti was on hand for the trailer reveal. Muschietti and Safran spoke about making the film before the new trailer was shown. The filmmaker had high praise for star Ezra Miller as an amazing actor and Miller wanting to do all of their own stunts and Muschietti allowing them to do so. Muschietti also discussed meeting with Michael Keaton and getting him on board to return as Batman for the film.

The new trailer was shown offering up a lot more of Michael Keaton as Batman, plus Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, who will face Zod, with Michael Shannon back in the role for the film. At the very least, it’s exciting that the first ever big-screen movie for The Flash is finally getting made. The Flash movie finally opens in theaters on June 16.

I will be back soon with more from CinemaCon 2023, including Day 3 featuring Walt Disney Studios and Universal Pictures.