The cast of ‘Spaceballs: The New One’ at CinemaCon 2026. Photo Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Preview:
Amazon MGM Studios made its presentation to the 2026 CinemaCon crowd.
Among the movies promoted were ‘The Sheep Detectives’ and ‘Spaceballs: The New One’.
There was also a look at Michael B. Jordan’s ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’.
After making its first trip to CinemaCon last year, Amazon MGM Studios has certainly been enjoying a good year at the box office so far, largely thanks to the huge success of ‘Project Hail Mary’ (which, as announced at the panel, just crossed $525 million at the global box office, cementing it as the company’s biggest movie to date, and will see its theatrical window extended, Amaze! Amaze! Amaze!).
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Hoping to keep the momentum rolling, the studio unveiled new looks at this year’s crop of movies and beyond including ‘The Sheep Detectives’ and ‘Masters of the Universe’. But if you were expecting a surprise announcement about casting for the new James Bond movie, there was none –– but VP of Film Courtenay Valenti did promise it’ll be worthy of the venerable franchise’s legacy.
First out of the gate (even though it isn’t out until next March) was newly minted Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan‘s remake of the 1968 caper movie –– previously re-imagined in 1999, which the actor is directing and starring in.
After a look at some fun footage, Jordan himself took the stage to talk up the fact that Jon Batiste is crafting the music for the movie. He also brought out co-star Adria Arjona, complimenting her “intensity, wit, and fire” while calling her “an incredible scene partner.” Their cat-and-mouse relationship (as art thief and the insurance investigator tracking him down) is at the core of the movie.
Kenneth Branagh, meanwhile, plays the antagonist, the person that Jordan’s Crown targets. Jordan says he made the movie for big screens.
Nicholas Galitzine stars in ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Hoping for another big hit, Amazon MGM is putting a lot of weight behind ‘Masters of the Universe’, which adapts the 1980s toy line and cartoon series (and was already focus of a notoriously unsuccessful 1987 movie).
Stars Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes and director Travis Knight took the stage to introduce a new look at the film. Galitzine, of course, was hefting He-Man’s classic power sword, which is surely some sort of safety violation.
Jared Leto stars in ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Some fresh footage from the movie –– which Knight and co. described as tackling how someone is challenged to step up beyond what they think they can do –– was screened after Galitzine had the audience lift the fake swords they received as he recited He-Man’s classic transformation line…
The new scene shows Galitzine’s Prince Adam and Mendes’ Teena reuniting on Earth before they travel to Eternia to battle the evil Skeletor (Jared Leto), which in turn leads into the new trailer.
Another jump ahead in time for a quick look at footage from Jason Statham action sequel ‘The Beekeeper 2’. It’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect from The Stath, and should keep fans happy. Statham himself appeared via video to exclaim, “some people say less is more. I say more is more.”
The new movie will see the Beekeeper society looking to overthrow the US government. At this point in time, the jokes write themselves…
Back to 2026’s schedule, and the quirky mystery drama about a herd of sheep who must solve the murder of their beloved shepherd (Hugh Jackman).
Jackman himself arrived on stage (along with co-stars Nicholas Braun, and a returning Galitzine) to tout the film, which also boasts a considerable cast in both live-action (Emma Thompson) and voice (too many to list) form. It’s described as “a warm deeply human story about finding your place in the world.” And we got an extended look at the movie.
Gareth Evans (‘The Raid’) returns with a new action movie, this one starring Sope Dirisu in the story of Colt, a Vietnam veteran turned contract killer, goes on the run after assassinating a gangland boss.
David Leitch in Paris for ‘Bullet Train.’ Credit: Oliver Vigerie/Sony Pictures.
With confetti and chaos, the new movie from director David Leitch launched into a first look at a team of social media types who make videos about, well, how to rob banks.
Leitch came on stage with Pete Davidson, and Davidson revealed that this group of robbers livestreams their crimes and robberies. “They’re putting an end to greed and corruption one heist, and one video, at a time,” he said, before Rhenzy Feliz and Anna Sawai were confirmed to be the other two robbers. Leitch wanted to capture the energy of a manic YouTube video, before a video message from the rest of the cast played.
Mahershala Ali attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
More action, this time a visceral thriller starring Mahershala Ali and following a hitman struggling to balance his job with his faith & fatherhood. Bassam Tariq directs.
Ali took the stage to enthuse about how the movie checked every box for him, and he introduced some intense footage.
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After a quick look at ‘Verity’ (which we’re surprised wasn’t spotlighted more given its Colleen Hoover origins) it was time for…
‘Spaceballs: The New One’ logo. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
The much-anticipated ‘Spaceballs’ sequel was introduced by originator Mel Brooks (via video), with cast members Bill Pullman, Josh Gad, Lewis Pullman, Daphne Zuniga and to great response, Rick Moranis actually present to introduce a first look at the movie, which is as funny as you might hope for. Let’s just say the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy is heavily targeted for spoofing.
Henry Cavill in ‘Highlander’. Photo: Henry Cavill’s Instagram Account.
It might still be busy shooting, but the re-imagining of the 1980s action movie is one of the bigger titles on the horizon for the studio.
With Henry Cavill starring as the immortal warrior who must battle others of his kind, it promises plenty of set pieces.
Cavill and director Chad Stahelski (‘John Wick’) are halfway through filming, but the former took time out to appear via video and offer some early footage.
In theaters on October 10 via Walt Disney Studios is ‘TRON: Ares’, the third entry in the franchise about artificial beings existing on a computer grid.
The ‘Tron’ movies have always been about humanity’s connection to –– and issues with –– technology, and as AI dominates headlines, the time seems right for a new entry to the venerable franchise, which has so far only put out two entries.
Yet the latest suffers from some very basic issues, especially when it comes to its script, but does have enough entertainment value.
The new movie’s script, written by Jesse Wigutow (David DiGilio receives a “story by” credit) makes the whole affair feel like a video game that has some impressive graphics, but not quite enough power to make it work fully. It’s loaded up with coincidence and contrivance along the lines of many basic would-be blockbusters.
And while it doesn’t lean too heavily on nostalgia, there’s a chunk of it near the end which, while it allows for a welcome return, does tend the drain the tension.
Director Joachim Rønning, meanwhile, has experience with this sort of big scale movies, but he can only do so much to inject humanity into the overall result.
Jared Leto actually tones things down, Ares naturally being a more muted character until he starts to evolve. He’s perfectly serviceable in the role, and even funny towards the end.
Greta Lee enjoys some decent moments, but is mostly saddled with a character you feel like came straight off the peg in terms of story arc.
Evan Peters has fun as the villainous Julian Dillinger, but spare a thought for poor Gillian Anderson who pop ups for a couple of scenes as his mother but is essentially a walking cliché.
‘TRON: Ares’ follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares (Jared Leto), who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
(L to R) Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con Hall H Panel for ‘TRON: Ares’. Photo: Disney.
Preview:
‘TRON: Ares’ showed off some new footage at Comic-Con.
Director Joachim Rønning was present at the panel.
The movie will land on October 10th.
With much of Disney’s other big franchises –– Marvel especially –– skipping the San Diego Comic-Con this year, it’s up to ‘TRON: Ares’, the latest entry to feature A.I. Programs and humans mixing, to fly the genre flag.
A highly sophisticated Program called Ares (Leto) is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings.
What happened at the ‘TRON: Ares’ panel?
(L to R) The cast and crew of ‘TRON: Ares’ at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con Hall H Panel. Photo: Disney.
The ‘Ares’ panel began with a digital light display and bots floating around the screens of Hall H, with suited Programs on stage.
Before any of the filmmakers or cast arrived, a new trailer played for the crowd.
Director Rønning brought Leto, Peters, Anderson, Turner-Smith and Bridges on stage to discuss the movie.
Leto admitted he was already in the tank for ‘Tron’ before taking the role:
“At the end of the day, I am an official ‘Tron’ super fan. If I wasn’t on the stage, I would be in the audience, for sure, watching this panel right now, cheering like all these crazy people out here.”
He also called Jeff Bridges a hero, a sentiment surely everyone in the crowd would share.
Rønning was also enthused to work on the movie:
“Well, it’s ‘Tron’. So, I was immediately drawn into it. I love the franchise, the movies, I think, in many ways, are masterpieces. And, you know, I always dreamt about making science fiction. I think the topic is super interesting, and they had a twist to it.”
(L to R) Jeff Bridges, Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con Hall H Panel for ‘TRON: Ares’. Photo: Disney.
A couple of new clips were shown, including Leto’s Ares in a light chase with Turner-Smith’s Athena, and one set in the digital world of the Grid, which has been expanded by Peters’ Julian Dillinger (a name that should set alarm bells ringing in ‘Tron’ fans’ minds).
The panel ended with the debut of Nine Inch Nails’ new tie-in single, “As Alive as You Need Me to Be” (Trent Reznor and his group supply the music for the movie).
This is what Leto had to say about the soundtrack:
“The music for ‘Tron’ has always been such an important part. When we were talking about music for this film, there was really only very few people you could think about that could fill those shoes and Nine Inch Nails absolutely did it. I mean, they made music that’s going to live a lifetime.”
When will ‘TRON: Ares’ be in theaters?
The third instalment of the ‘Tron’ franchise will bring the Grid to screens on October 10th.
(L to R) Jodie Turner-Smith, Evan Peters and Gillian Anderson at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 for ‘TRON: Ares’. Photo: Disney.
Nicholas Galitzine in 2026’s ‘Masters of the Universe’. Photo: Nicholas Galitzine’s Instagram Account / Amazon MGM Studios.
Preview:
‘Masters of the Universe’ star Nicholas Galitzine shared a new look at his costume.
The movie, directed by Travis Knight, recently wrapped.
Jared Leto, Camila Mendes and Alison Brie also star.
The new incarnation of the ‘Masters of the Universe’ story –– the latest adaptation of the Mattel toy line and its associated animated TV series –– has now wrapped shooting with ‘Bumblebee’s Travis Knight at the helm.
This long-developing movie stars Nicholas Galitzine as He-Man, the muscular hero who must protect the world of Eternia from the evil schemes of Skeletor (played in the new movie by Jared Leto).
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Galitzine took to social media to provide a new silhouetted photo of himself as He-Man, with the following caption:
“Well, that’s a wrap on ‘Masters of the Universe.’ It has been an honour shouldering the responsibility of playing Adam and He-Man. It’s been the role of a lifetime and I put everything into it. There’s not much I can show you, but I am so proud of the movie we’ve made. Thanks to our amazing cast and crew for all your hard work.”
Knight worked from a new draft of the script by Chris Butler –– to whom he’s already connected, as Butler has written or directed several animated movies produced by Knight’s Laika studio.
The new movie follows 10-year old Prince Adam, who crashed to Earth in a spaceship and was separated from his magical Power Sword — the only link to his home on Eternia.
After tracking it down almost two decades later, Prince Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam will first need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man, the most powerful man in the Universe.
Who else appears in ‘Masters of the Universe’?
Camila Mendes on ‘Riverdale’. Photo: Warner Bros. Television Studios.
Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Preview:
Disney brought several movies to its CinemaCon 2025 presentation.
The likes of ‘Tron: Ares,’ ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ and more were showcased.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ also showed footage, alongside Pixar’s Elio, Freakier Friday and the new, live-action/CG ‘Lilo & Stitch
While it is still looking to rebuild its fortunes, Disney can at least look back on 2024 as one with several big hits, especially ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’
But it will have to prove that this year’s slate can match past successes. Luckily, the Mouse House has more strings to its bow than even the likes of Universal or Warner Bros., and heavy hitters including Pixar, Marvel and James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ series primed and ready with new entries, plus the return of ‘Tron’ to the grid… er, cinemas.
Following the usual stuff about sponsors and theater owners (got to play to the crowd!), the Disney presentation signaled the end of CinemaCon’s studio events and began with the traditional sizzle reel of upcoming movies, framed in amusing fashion by having ‘Lilo & Stitch’s titular blue troublemaker wander through the rest of the slate.
Getting the presentation off to its formal stage start was Alan Bergman, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment.
He was joined by Andrew Cripps, head of theatrical distribution at the studio to unveil the typically packed schedule of movies the studio will have across the rest of the year, and to extol the fact that Disney movies are Disney movies are typically in theaters an average of three weeks longer than any other studio.
2025’s live-action ‘Lilo & Stitch’. Photo: Walt Disney Pictures.
The latest animated-to-live-action conversion project faces additional pressure following ‘Snow White’s poor showing at the box office this past month. With Disney bosses pushing pause on a planned ‘Tangled’ live-action movie, ‘Lilo’ will need to perform in order to keep that particular strand of the company’s strategy alive beyond ‘Moana,’ due next year.
Some fresh, sneak peek footage from the new movie was screened for the crowd, featuring Stitch on a trip with Lilo and family; they go to a restaurant where the little blue alien causes the requisite chaos even as Lilo tries to teach him to behave. Some of what was shown has already popped up in the trailer, including Stitch squirting her with a soda gun.
(L to R) Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan were ushered on stage to promote this sequel to the 2003 original, which moves the story forward and features even more body-switching chaos than last time as Curtis’ Tess and Lindsay’s Anna Coleman switch places with their teenage daughter/granddaughter.
Curtis and Lohan cued up a look at some brand new footage from the movie, which according to the duo has been playing well with test audiences.
Curtis says that the film was…
“Made to be seen on a big screen.”
The scene played showed Tess and Anna trying to win back Anna’s boyfriend –– but in different bodies.
‘Freakier Friday’ brings body swap chaos to theaters on August 8th.
(L to R) Jared Leto and Jeff Bridges at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
The studio went all out with a light show to promote the third ‘Tron’ movie, and also brought Jeff Bridges and new franchise face Jared Leto to the stage.
Bridges said,
“To be back on the grid was incredible, and working with Jared… It was a great time.”
For his part, Leto said he was obsessed and this was everything he wanted from a movie. It took him to a world he had never seen before.
Leto described his character, Ares:
“An advanced program that crosses over to real world to fulfill his directive.”
After confirmation of Nine Inch Nails doing the music for the new movie, we got a look at some new footage.
What was screened was a look at Ares riding his bike in the real world, with Bridges’ Kevin Flynn narrating. We also see him ask Ares, “Are you ready? Because there is no coming back…”
‘Tron: Ares’ departs the grid for our world on October 10th.
With ‘The Amateur’ due on screens next week, its chunk of the presentation was minimal, limited to a full version of the scene in the pool we glimpse in the trailer, but show full-length here. It was followed by the trailer.
‘The Amateur,’ as mentioned, will find a way into theaters on April 11th.
Elle Fanning at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Disney.
The new ‘Predator’ movie from ‘Prey’s Dan Trachtenberg immediately looked interesting, since the Predator creature is more of a protagonist in this one, and it takes place on a new planet where he’s been exiled and must fight his way back.
Star (no, not as the Predator!) Elle Fanning arrived on stage to confirm that this movie breaks new ground in the ‘Predator’ universe. She also said something unprecedented happens. Her character is not being chased, she teams up with Predator and you see him in new light.
She cued up the first trailer for the new movie, which sees the Predator battling a giant, nearly invincible beast with Fanning’s help.
‘Predator: Badlands’ stalks into cinemas on November 7th.
Strong, for the record, plays Jon Landau, Springsteen’s manager and producer. He said he sees the role as Lewis to Springsteen’s Clark.
White, meanwhile, explains that the movie charts Springsteen’s teenage years to around 1982.
Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere.’ Photo: 20th Century Studios.
We got a first look at the trailer for the new movie, which is directed by Scott Cooper. The footage wraps up showing Springsteen in concert performing ‘Born to Run.’
‘Deliver Me from Nowhere’ has yet to announce when it’ll be delivered to theaters.
(L to R) Emma Mackey and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
James L. Brooks’ new comedy drama stars Emma Mackey as an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor (Albert Brooks).
She co-stars with Jamie Lee Curtis, and the latter returned to the stage alongside Mackey for the presentation.
Brooks, meanwhile, received the Cinema Vérité Award on stage and called for more movies to have a 35-day window in theaters.
Director James L. Brooks receives the Cinema Vérité Award at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
He also had a great quote about previewing movies with audiences:
“A woman came up to me and said the loveliest words: ‘they’re crying in the ladies toilet.’ Compare that to data.”
After Brooks’ emotional speech, we got a first look at the movie itself. The scene that played took place in a bar, where Curtis’ character takes Ella to meet her father, Woody Harrelson. They haven’t spoken in years after he dated her friend.
That was followed the trailer.
‘Ella McCay’ will be in cinemas on September 19th.
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From there, it was time to look at team Searchlight’s output, following a victory lap for the awards success of ‘A Real Pain’ and ‘A Complete Unknown.’ The studio arm’s new offering is…
Unlike the 1989 version, this Jay Roach-directed sees Cumberbatch and Colman as a successful chef and her businessman husband whose lives start to fall apart when he’s fired.
Things go from bad to worse, and as we saw in the trailer that played, it gets to the point where she has him at gunpoint.
‘The Roses’ fights for its place in theaters on August 29th.
Talking of guns, we moved on to one of the studio’s biggest… Marvel!
First up was the next movie from the prolific superhero franchise.
(L To R) David Harbour, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
The ‘Thunderbolts*’ portion of the show kicked off with a funny bit about the cast being MIA –– Wyatt Russell appeared to have lost a lot of cash in the casino with co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus hoping the movie makes money so they can pay his debts!
The scene featured the Thunderbolts driving through New York as Harbour’s Red Guardian tries to bond with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The team has to fight their way through bad guys to Avengers tower.
(L To R) Hannah John-Kamen, Sebastian Stan, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell in ‘Thunderbolts*’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
We got an extended look at the Avengers Tower scene where Louis-Dreyfus gathers the gang –– after having sent them to kill each other and being frustrated that they teamed up.
There was also a very brief look at the introduction of Sentry (Lewis Pullman). And following that? A sizzle reel of scenes from the movie, which appears to be full of chaotic fun.
‘Thunderbolts*’ heads to cinemas on May 2nd. Less than a month for this one, folks!
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That was followed by Marvel boss Kevin Feige, currently in the UK on the set of ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ (which is “days away from the start of production”) confirming the appearance of the original X-Men team in the new movie.
We also got our first look at Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer, who cautions that planet Earth is “marked for death.” Kirby’s Sue Storm says they’ll “fight the threat as a family”.
‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ flies into theaters on July 25th.
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To switch tracks (but still be galactic rather than Galactus), it was the turn of the animation arm(s).
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Pixar’s latest finds a young lad dreaming of being abducted by aliens.
Zoe Saldaña, who plays the title character’s Aunt Olga, arrived on stage to talk about the new ‘toon.
A scene from the movie was shown in 3D, showing Elio brought on board an alien spaceship that is more like a living planet via a tractor beam, where he meets the vessel’s AI. He’s been recruited to join the universe’s smartest creatures to work together as a collective… But have they made a mistake? Elio meets and bonds with a young alien creature.
‘Elio’ heads into space (and theaters) on June 20th.
Ke Huy Quan introduces ‘Zootopia 2’ at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
Thanksgiving sees the return of Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), the mismatched buddy duo of rabbit police officer and crafty fox. This time around, they’re on an undercover mission to stop a murderous reptile (Ke Huy Quan’s Gary).
In a video introduction, we got Bateman changing the show’s title to “ZinemaCon” and there are animal jokes about theaters –– AMZ, Pandango, Fur D X, followed by giving other Disney movies critter-like makeovers (‘Thundercolts,’ ‘Sealio,’ ‘The Fantastic Fur.’)
‘Zootopia 2’. Photo: Disney.
Quan arrived on stage to discuss the sequel and his role as Gary the snake. And that Judy and Nick go to a therapy animal (played by ‘Abbot Elementary’s Quinta Brunson) to sort their strained friendship –– which we saw in a scene from the movie. That was followed by a scene of Nick and Judy at Marsh resort trying to track down Gary.
‘Zootopia 2’ goes wild in theaters on November 26th.
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
James Cameron appeared via video from New Zealand, where he’s still at work on the latest ‘Avatar’ outing. He was sorry he isn’t there in person, but he did tell the crowd he’d sent some footage.
He promised “increased emotional heart and soul,” and that the Sully family will be put through the wringer (again) as they face the Ash People. We’ll also meet the Wind Traders.
Saldaña (who has been part of the franchise since the 2009 original) returned to the stage to introduce the footage.
Zoe Saldaña at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
We saw Jake and wife Neytiri (Saldaña) flying a dragon creature to Wind Traders’ ship where Miles “Spider” Socorro (Jack Champion), the son of Miles Quaritch, lives now.
That preceded a reel of other scenes, including Jake telling Neytiri they can’t live in hate, humans attacked the Na’vi, a shot of the whale-like creatures we met in ‘The Way of Water,’ the return of Stephen Lang’s Quaritch and Varang, the Na’vi leader of the volcano-dwelling Ash People threatening Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), the daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Na’vi avatar who was adopted by the Sully family.
‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ welcomes us back to Pandora on December 19th.
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And that’s all, folks!
(L To R) Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Wyatt Russell, and Hannah John-Kamen at the Disney presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas. Photo: Disney.
(Left) Morena Baccarin as Lorena Nascimento in ‘Last Looks’. Photo: RLJE Films. (Right) The Sorceress in ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ 1980’s Cartoon. Photo: Filmation Associates.
Preview:
Morena Baccarin, James Purefoy are joining the ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie.
It’ll adapt the ‘He-Man’ toy line.
‘Bumblebee’s Travis Knight is the directing the film.
With the cameras rolling at last on the long-developing (more on that chaos below) ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie, there is more news on the cast, which has been growing in the last few days.
Travis Knight, who might be more known as the boss (and one of the main directors) for stop-motion studio Laika, but who has been forging ahead with a live-action helming on movies such as ‘Transformers’ spin-off ‘Bumblebee,’ will call the shots on the new movie.
As for the cast, it already includes Nicholas Galitzine (as the heroic central figure He-Man), Camila Mendes (as warrior woman Teela), Jared Leto (as the big villain, Skeletor), Idris Elba (playing Duncan/Man-at-Arms, who is Teela’s adoptive father).
What has happened with the movie’s development so far?
‘Masters of the Universe’ toys. Photo: Mattel.
‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ follows Prince Adam, who has a magic sword that turns him into the powerful He-Man. He and his comrades (including Teela, the Captain of the Royal Guard) must protect the planet of Eternia from the evil machinations of villain Skeletor (whose acolytes include Evil-Lyn).
A live-action big screen version in 1987 starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man and Frank Langella as Skeletor flopped at the box office, which scuttled a planned sequel.
Netflix was the most recent company to try, hiring directing siblings Adam and Aaron Nee, the duo behind 2015’s indie movie ‘Band of Robbers’ and 2022’s ‘The Lost City’, who were also attached to a Sony attempt, working on the script with ‘Man Of Steel’s David S. Goyer.
Amazon MGM Studios has the rights now, with Knight in charge, and that version has actually gone into production. Fingers crossed it makes it to screens!
What’s the story for the new ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie?
‘Masters of the Universe’ toys. Photo: Mattel.
Knight is working from a new draft of the script by Chris Butler –– to whom he’s already connected, as Butler has written or directed several animated movies produced by Knight’s Laika studio.
And the story itself remains the biggest mystery here. While it’s expected to stick to some sort of conflict between He-Man and Skeletor, there has been a rumored plotline floating around, albeit one that has seen zero confirmation from either the studio or filmmakers.
Still, if you’re interested, it reportedly revolves around 9–year-old Prince Adam crashing to Earth in a spaceship and being separated from his Magical Sword –– the only link to his home on Eternia.
After tracking it down almost two decades later, Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam first will need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Who else has been cast in ‘Masters of the Universe’?
(Left) Alison Brie as Amber in ‘Spin Me Round.’ (Right) Evil-Lyn from ‘Masters of the Universe: Revolution’. Photo: Netflix.
Alongside the aforementioned main cast, there is a sprawling ensemble around them.
‘Community’s Alison Brie is playing Skeletor’s sorceress lieutenant Evil-Lyn, we now know that Sam C. Wilson will fill the part of Trap Jaw, Hafthor Bjornsson will play Goat Man and Kojo Attah has landed the role of Tri-Klops.
Who are the new characters?
The Sorceress in ‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ 1980’s Cartoon. Photo: Filmation Associates.
Baccarin’s Sorceress watches over Castle Grayskull, guarding the secrets and wisdom contained therein. She’s quite the powerful force and can only use her abilities when confined in the castle. Outside Grayskull, she becomes Zoar, a falcon, who communicates telepathically with trusted friends.
Fisto’s story began as a villain before he became a hero. He gets his name from his huge, mailed fist. and has talent for trapping and training wild animals; he has a pet Arachna.
Ram-Man is a warrior known for using his head as a battering ram (the name, like so many ‘He-Man’ characters, rather gives it away).
Zamata’s character, meanwhile, is named Susie, who doesn’t appear in ‘He-Man’ canon, so we’re going to assume she’s a regular human who meets the characters. Likewise Vunipola’s character which is called Hussein.
When will ‘Masters of the Universe’ be on screens?
Amazon/MGM studios is aiming to have the movie in theaters on June 5th, 2026.
‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ 1980’s Cartoon. Photo: Filmation Associates.
Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Masters of the Universe’ Franchise:
Jared Leto will be Skeletor in the new ‘Masters of the Universe.’
Nicholas Galitzine and Camila Mendes are leading the cast.
‘Bumblebee’ director Travis Knight is overseeing the movie.
After years of torturous development –– documented lower down the page –– it would seem that the new ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie really is falling properly into place at last.
Yet one big, central casting piece remained unannounced… that of He-Man’s bony, scheming nemesis, Skeletor. Reporter Jeff Sneider first brought word that Jared Leto had been offered the role of the cackling baddie back in September and the actor’s deal has now closed, since Leto has been officially announced.
What has happened with the movie’s development so far?
‘Masters of the Universe’ toys. Photo: Mattel.
‘He-Man and the Masters of the Universe’ follows Prince Adam, who has a magic sword that turns him into the powerful He-Man. He and his comrades (including Teela, the Captain of the Royal Guard) must protect the planet of Eternia from the evil machinations of villain Skeletor (whose acolytes include Evil-Lyn).
The new live-action version has torn a path through filmmakers and studios. Directors such as ‘Face/Off’s John Woo, ‘Wicked’s Jon M. Chu and ‘Truth Or Dare’s Jeff Wadlow have been attached at one time or another, but the movie has always fallen apart.
Amazon MGM Studios has the rights now, with ‘Bumblebee’ director Travis Knight in charge, and that version is now in actual pre-production with a shoot planned for next year.
What’s the story for the new ‘Masters of the Universe’ movie?
‘Masters of the Universe’ toys. Photo: Mattel.
Knight is working from a new draft of the script by Chris Butler –– to whom he’s already connected, as Butler has written or directed several animated movies produced by Knight’s Laika studio.
And the story itself remains the biggest mystery here. While it’s expected to stick to some sort of conflict between He-Man and Skeletor, there has been a rumored plotline floating around, albeit one that has seen zero confirmation from either the studio or filmmakers.
Still, if you’re interested, it reportedly revolves around 9–year-old Prince Adam crashing to Earth in a spaceship and being separated from his Magical Sword –– the only link to his home on Eternia.
After tracking it down almost two decades later, Adam is whisked back across space to defend his home planet against the evil forces of Skeletor. But to defeat such a powerful villain, Prince Adam first will need to uncover the mysteries of his past and become He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.
Who else has been cast in ‘Masters of the Universe’?
(Left) Alison Brie as Amber in ‘Spin Me Round.’ (Right) Evil-Lyn from ‘Masters of the Universe: Revolution’. Photo: Netflix.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a trio of actors is joining Leto on his evil crusade.
With Brie already in place as his sorceress lieutenant, we now know that Sam C. Wilson will fill the part of Trap Jaw, Hafthor Bjornsson will play Goat Man and Kojo Attah has landed the role of Tri-Klops.
Attah, meanwhile, counts the likes of ‘The Beekeeper,’ ‘Wrath of Man’ and in a slightly less action-heavy category, UK crime series ‘Midsomer Murders’ among his credits.
In genre terms, he’s been seen as the Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’ (though his performance was vastly overshadowed by the likes of Heath Ledger) and ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ while more recent efforts such as ‘Morbius’ and Disney’s latest attempt to redo ‘The Haunted Mansion’ have frankly been met with even less success.
He’ll be hoping for better results with Skeletor and also his appearance as the title character in the next ‘Tron’ movie, ‘Tron: Ares,’ which will arrive in theaters in October 2025.
When will ‘Masters of the Universe’ be on screens?
Amazon/MGM studios is aiming to have the movie in theaters on June 5th, 2026.
2011’s ‘Masters of the Universe: Revelation’. Photo: Netflix.
Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Masters of the Universe’ Franchise:
Taking as its inspiration the infamous slaying of President John F. Kennedy in Texas in 1963, ‘Assassination’ will dig into the issue of who truly orchestrated the killing.
The film focuses on ground-breaking female crime reporter Dorothy Kilgallen played by Jessica Chastain.
When she suspects that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone, she uses her fame and influence to find President John F. Kennedy’s real killer. Kilgallen’s journey will put her up against the CIA, mafia bosses and the FBI, all who would love nothing more than to make her and this story disappear.
Levinson has financing for this one and is busy putting the pieces together. He’s looking to start the cameras rolling early next year in Boston.
Who else is in ‘Assassination’?
Oscar® nominee, Al Pacino arrives on the red carpet of The 92nd Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2020.
In addition to Leto –– assuming he actually locks in his deal –– and Chastain, the cast will include the starry likes of Al Pacino, Brendan Fraser and Bryan Cranston.
And on the creative team front, the script is co-written by David Mamet, who in a rare case of collaboration, worked with Levinson and ‘Elvis’ writer Sam Bromell.
The new movie is produced by Corey Large and Jason Sosnoff, with Large also providing financing. John Burnham, Bernie Gewissler, Pia Patatian and Jordan Nott are the executive producers.
It’s quite a team and sounds intriguing, though it’ll have to go some to compete with the likes of ‘JFK’ and ‘Parkland.’
Bona fide legend Pacino has a number of movies on the way. He’s in the cast for Johnny Depp’s directorial debut, ‘Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness’ and has the likes of ‘The Ritual,’ ‘Killing Castro,’ ‘Hand of Dante,’ ‘Easy’s Waltz’ and ‘Billy Knight’ making their way through post-production.
He’s more personally involved in his next Shakespeare-based film, starring in and producing a new adaptation of ‘King Lear’ called ‘Lear Rex,’ directed by Bernard Rose. That movie should be in theaters later in 2025 and also features Chastain.
Talking of, she’s starring in Michael Franco’s new crime drama pic ‘Dreams’ and is a producer on a variety of other projects, including ‘Losing Clementine’ and ‘Wayland.’
On the TV front, she’s starring in a new series called ‘Savant’ about a deep-cover investigator who infiltrates hate groups and looks to bring down the nation’s most violent men.
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Fraser, who scored an Oscar for his performance in ‘The Whale,’ has ‘Rental Family’ on the way and is at work on new World War II drama ‘Pressure,’ in which he plays President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
He’ll also be seen in comedy drama movie ‘Everything’s Going to Be Great,’ which will be out next year.
Perhaps most excitingly, he’ll reprise the role of Hal in a limited series revival of sitcom ‘Malcolm in the Middle,’ with co-stars Frankie Muniz and Jane Kaczmarek also returning for a four-episode update of the family’s story from original series creator Linwood Boomer.
The new episodes will appear on Disney+, but a date has yet to be set for that one.
When will ‘Assassination’ be in theaters?
Despite having funding in place and a shoot date, the film is still locking in a distribution home and has yet to secure a release date.
Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn in 1982’s ‘Tron’. Photo: Buena Vista Distribution.
Preview:
Jeff Bridges says he’s heading to the ‘Tron: Ares’ set to shoot a role.
He didn’t specify if he’ll be back as Kevin Flynn.
Jared Leto and Gillian Anderson are among the stars of the new movie.
It surely would not be a ‘Tron’ movie without Jeff Bridges, who played Kevin Flynn in the 2982 original movie about a programmer named Kevin Flynn who is drawn into the virtual world of The Grid inside his computer to compete in various challenges and to battle a malevolent program.
Bridges returned for 2010’s ‘Tron: Legacy’, playing both Flynn and Clu, the program he created in the past to oversee the Grid system that ends up turning into a threat himself.
“I’m heading off to play a part in the third installment of the ‘Tron’ story; I’m excited about that. It’s wild. Jared Leto is the star of this third one, and I’m really anxious to work with him, I’ve admired his work.”
Bridges doesn’t specify whether he’ll be Flynn or appearing as Clu in flashback (since he was vanquished in ‘Legacy’). Our guess would be the former.
But he did talk about his thoughts on the technology involved in the new movie:
“I’m really excited to see what the technology is going to be all about this time. When I did ‘Tron: Legacy,’ we had to put all these dots on our face and all these kinds of things. And that’s probably all passé. I had to see myself as a young guy or as another character, but the same guy, but it was gonna be digitally created. I think it was de-aging, but I didn’t like the way I looked in it; I felt like I looked more like Bill Maher than myself; it was kind of bizarre! I hear there’s even less A.I. stuff in this. It’s going to be more a practical set, and they’re beautiful; there are beautiful sets that I’ve seen.”
Written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, the script follows Leto’s computer program Ares on a journey from the digital world to that of humans.
There remains no word on whether Bridges’ fellow ‘Legacy’ stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde will be back, though we’d especially have to doubt Wilde’s return for anything other than a cameo given her busy directing career.
Gillian Anderson as Margaret Thatcher in ‘The Crown’ season 4. Photo: Des Willie.
Preview:
Gillian Anderson is the latest person cast in ‘Tron: Ares’.
Shooting has now kicked off on the movie following a delay.
The movie should be on screens next year.
It has been a long road to the screen for the third ‘Tron’ movie. In development since the second film, 2010’s ‘Tron: Legacy’, arrived, ‘Tron: Ares’ (as it is currently called) has faced multiple challenges so far, not the least of which was being shut down before it could begin shooting last year when the writers and actors’ strikes hit.
But now, it has turned a corner (or swerved on a right angle given how the iconic Light cycles work), and the cameras are finally rolling on the long-anticipated sequel, which follows both ‘Legacy’ and the 1982 original ‘Tron’, which sees humans drawn into a virtual world.
Now, with Jared Leto starring as a character called Ares, it looks like the opposite will be happening, and Gillian Anderson is the latest addition to the cast, playing an unknown role.
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What’s the story of ‘Tron: Ares’?
A scene from ‘Tron: Legacy’ directed by Joseph Kosinski.
Written by Jesse Wigutow and Jack Thorne, the script follows Leto’s computer program Ares on a journey from the digital world to that of humans.
There’s no word yet on whether Jeff Bridges (who starred in the original and also showed up in ‘Legacy’) or ‘Legacy’ stars Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde will be back, though we’d especially have to doubt Wilde’s return for anything other than a cameo given her busy directing career.
“Today was supposed to be our first day of principal photography on ‘Tron: Ares’ (a movie subsequently about AI and what it means, and takes, to be human). Instead, we are shut down with over a hundred and fifty people laid off. It’s indefinite, which makes it exponentially harder for everyone. The AMPTP, SAG-AFTRA and WGA need to speed up the negotiating process and not leave the table until it’s done. This is Hollywood. We close deals for breakfast. Why do we suddenly have all the time in the world when every day is so precious? These tactics are extremely frustrating. It’s time for diplomacy so we can get back to work –– under conditions that are fair to everybody.”
When will ‘Tron: Ares’ be in theaters?
Disney has yet to confirm whether the film –– which will require plenty of post-production work –– will maintain a 2025 release date, but the fact that it’s now shooting is a hopeful sign.
