Universal Pictures chairwoman Donna Langley came to the CinemaCon party ready to rock and roll. The audience was thrilled to see brand new trailers for most of their upcoming slate of films. We were treated to sneak peaks from several highly anticipated films from 2015 including a very surprising first look at Fifty Shades of Grey. While the presentation lacked star power and sizzle, it did have a lot of meat for us to chew on. We even got a surprise appearance by Angelina.
A Million Ways To Die In The West
After a disastrous attempt to host the Oscars a few years ago, Seth McFarland returns to form in his upcoming western A Million Ways To Die In The West. McFarland is taking on both acting and directing duties. New footage fleshed out the story a bit more; we now know that McFarland’s character somehow comes into conflict with Liam Neeson who is playing the typical bad guy. The film will be exactly as the title suggest, we saw several different methods of dying including a guy getting shot, people on fire, decapitations, disease and a guy who dropped dead from his own fart. Yes, it’s going to be that type of movie. Directed by Seth McFarland and starring Seth McFarland, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Charlize Theron, and Neil Patrick Harris. Opens May 30th, 2014.
Lucy
The full-length trailer for Scarlett Johansson’s Lucy gave us a real good look at her in action. In Lucy, Johansson is a woman that is forced to be a drug mule. After being captured and tortured the stash breaks and leaks into her system. It somehow unlocks the power of her brain, giving her superpowers. The footage showcased Johansson’s action chops. The fighting was frenetic and similar to the style she uses as Black Widow in the Avengers film. This movie easily could have been a Black Widow film. Stars Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Analeigh Tipton and is directed by Luc Besson. Opens August 8, 2014.
The Purge: Anarchy
An extended look at the Purge 2 was shown. This time the film looks a lot bigger in scope as we follow a group of people who are trapped outside and are forced to survive in a city gone crazy. Looks like there’s a revenge element and someone who is kidnapping folks and offering them up as victims for rich people to murder. Stars Frank Grillo, Michael K. Williams, Zach Gilford and directed by James DeMonaco. Opens July 18.
Get On Up
Get on the good foot ! A chronicle of James Brown’s rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history. The movie is all high gloss, costumes and James Brown. What can go wrong? Casting looks fantastic, the voice impression seems a little iffy, but star Chadwick Boseman definitely has the attitude and moves to pull this off. Chadwick Boseman, David Andrew Nash, Nelsan Ellis and directed by Tate Taylor. Opens August 1.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Perhaps the surprise move of the day came when the first full-length trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey was shown. The footage showcased the chemistry between Anastasia and Christian. We get their first meeting, some shots of them in a helicopter going over some beautiful landscapes and a glimpse of them dancing; I’ll be honest, I wasn’t feeling this trailer. It’s going to be interesting to see how this all works. Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle and directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Opens February 15, 2015.
Dumb and Dumber To
20 years after the dimwits set out on their first adventure, they head out in search of one of their long lost children in the hope of gaining a new kidney. Jim Carrey, King, Laurie Holden and Jeff Daniels. Directed by Bobby Farrelly, Peter Farrelly. Opens November 14th.
Unbroken
Angelina Jolie came out and talked a bit about her next Directorial effort Unbroken. A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II. The film looks like pure Oscar Bait. The footage shown included his humble beginnings, him being in action as a fighter pilot, getting shot own and spending time in a Japanese Prison camp. This guy has led a life.
In addition to these films, Universal showed teasers for Pitch Perfect 2 and Ted 2.