Get ready to set sail once again! Moana 2, the eagerly awaited sequel to Disney Animation Studios’ 2016 hit, is on the horizon. Moana (2016) brought us the fearless Polynesian princess and her unforgettable journey with Maui, the demigod, on a quest to save her island. Fans have been buzzing with excitement ever since the announcement of the sequel, and now, the wait is almost over!
In Moana 2, the adventure picks up three years after the original film. Moana sets out on a daring quest to locate the lost island of Motufetu, once a crucial oceanic link. However, this island has been hidden by the vengeful God of Storms, making Moana’s journey more treacherous than ever.
Prepare for an exciting adventure with the introduction of new faces. Simea, Moana’s spirited 3-and-a-half-year-old sister voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda, is a bundle of energy and admiration, bringing a fresh and heartwarming dynamic to the story. On the other hand, Matangi, voiced by Awhimai Fraser, is a formidable new antagonist who wields the power of storms. Her unpredictable nature and ominous presence promise to challenge Moana and her crew in unprecedented ways.
Of course, the adventure wouldn’t be complete without the return of beloved characters. Fans can look forward to seeing Auli’i Cravalho as Moana, Dwayne Johnson as Maui, Rachel House as Grandma Tala and more. This blend of new and beloved characters ensures a thrilling ride for audiences.
Animated films have been dominating the box office, and Moana 2 is set to follow suit. The original Moana grossed a staggering $643 million worldwide and attracted over 260,000 admissions during its UAE run. Building on this success, and following the momentum of animated sequels like Inside Out 2—which grossed over $1.6 billion—Moana 2 is poised for another blockbuster run.
Fans are buzzing with excitement as new videos and trailers for Moana’s upcoming adventure have taken the internet by storm, racking up millions of views. The sneak peeks show off stunning ocean battles, touching reunions, and the new track “We’re Back!” from Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear.
Get ready, because Moana 2 is set to release on November 28, 2024.
With Moana 2 being one of the most anticipated films of the year, brands have a unique opportunity to ride the wave of excitement. Whether you’re targeting families, children, or adventure lovers, this sequel will attract audiences of all ages, offering unparalleled advertising opportunities. Contact us to advertise alongside this upcoming family blockbuster.
Source: IMDb, Entertainment Weekly, Collider, Variety, Motivate Val Morgan
Deadpool 3 stands as the sole movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe set for release in 2024
Disney has confirmed a long-rumored reshuffle of its Marvel lineup, resulting in the postponement of several franchise titles originally slated for a 2024 release, now rescheduled to 2025. This announcement follows the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike and occurs within the evolving landscape of the MCU.
The decision to reshuffle release dates has sparked industry discussions, with Anthony D’Alessandro from Deadline commending the move and attributing the lackluster performance of the titles to Disney’s extensive presence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+, rather than reserving content specifically for cinemas. This perspective aligns with recent box office performances, as seen with the studio’s latest release, ‘The Marvels,’ which received a more subdued reception, earning only a modest $110 million in its opening weekend at the global box office.
Despite facing formidable challenges, Marvel Studios continues to reign as a global cinematic juggernaut, with a lineup of thrilling adventures poised to enthrall audiences across the globe.
Here are the updated release dates for the highly anticipated upcoming blockbuster MCU movies:
Initially set for a May 3, 2024 debut, ‘Deadpool 3,’ starring Ryan Reynolds as the main character and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, is now scheduled to hit theaters on July 26, 2024. This marks a significant moment as Deadpool becomes part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) after existing in a separate continuity due to studio divisions.
The rescheduling of ‘Deadpool 3’ triggered a series of changes. Originally slated for a July 26, 2024 release, ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ has been moved to February 14, 2025. This latest installment in the Captain America series, featuring Anthony Mackie as the lead hero, reportedly finished filming before the industry strike. Online speculation hints at possible reshoots in the coming months, a common practice for Marvel films.
While ‘Fantastic Four’ maintains its original release date of May 2, 2025, ‘Thunderbolts,’ a movie uniting supervillains including Florence Pugh and David Harbour, was initially set to premiere on December 20, 2024. Instead, its release has been shifted to July 25, 2025. As for ‘Blade,’ an R-rated MCU entry starring Mahershala Ali, initially planned for February 14, 2025, it has been rescheduled to November 7, 2025.
Sources: Variety, Marvel, Deadline
The 2023 edition of CinemaCon drew to a successful close after four days of thrilling presentations, demonstrations, and discussions, which offered an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders to come together and discuss the future of cinema.
CinemaCon attendees were privy to exclusive product presentations, cutting-edge technology demonstrations, and thought-provoking panel discussions featuring experts from various sectors of the industry, including studio executives, theatre operators, and technology providers.
Leading studios, including Disney, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery, presented their latest trailers for upcoming theatrical releases, and as always, the event concluded with the ‘Big Screen Achievement Awards’ – held in honor of celebrities whose contributions to the industry have helped shape cinema into what it is today.
If you missed any of the presentations, fear not! Here are the latest trailers that were released during the event:
Sony Pictures set the tone for CinemaCon 2023 by showcasing a variety of major movie trailer releases and announcements. Some of the notable titles that were unveiled included Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Gran Turismo: The Movie, The Equalizer 3, and Insidious: The Red Door.
The Equalizer 3
Two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington presented the first trailer of The Equalizer 3, in which he reprises the role of former government assassin Robert McCall. The film is described as the “final chapter” in the story, indicating that it could be the last with Washington as Robert.
The film is set to release in cinema on 31 August 2023.
Gran Turismo: The Movie
Orlando Bloom and Stranger Things star David Harbour presented a new trailer for Gran Turismo: The Movie. The film is based on the life of Jann Mardenborough, a real-life Gran Turismo player who became a professional racer. Archie Madekwe plays Mardenborough in the film. It also stars Djimon Hounsou as Mardenborough’s father. Harbour plays Jack Salter, a retired race car driver, who trains Jann.
The film is set to release in cinema on 10 August 2023.
Insidious: The Red Door
CinemaCon 2023 attendees were treated to an extended trailer for Insidious: The Red Door.The new footage showed an adult Dalton (Ty Simpkins) being haunted by a wide variety of demons while now attending college. At the request of his wife Renai (Rose Byrne), father Josh (Patrick Wilson) accompanies him to help move into his college dorm where he realizes that Dalton’s connection to “the Further” is coming back in full force.
The film is set for release in cinema on 6 July 2023.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Fourteen minutes from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was shown at CinemaCon 2023 as the studio is still finishing the movie. The latest trailer shows Miles Morales as he returns for the next chapter of the Oscar-winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
The film is set to release in cinema on 1 June 2023
Other movies showcased by Sony Pictures included Kraven the Hunter (5 October 2023), Dumb Money (19 October 2023) and Napoleon (21 November 2023).
Warner Bros. Discovery presented a slew of trailers and announcements on 25 April, the second day of the mega event. Here is a look at the studio’s upcoming releases including three DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movies — The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
The Flash
Ezra Miller plays two versions of Barry Allen in different realities. While Ben Affleck appears as Batman in his own reality, Michael Keaton returns as the Dark Knight in an alternate reality in the story. Sasha Calle’s Supergirl and Michael Shannon’s General Zod are also seen in much more detail in the new trailer.
The film is set to release in cinema on 15 June 2023.
Blue Beetle
The Blue Beetle footage shown at CinemaCon 2023 was very similar to the trailer that was recently released. However, it did give us an even better look at the villainous Carapax. The trailer shows what fans have already seen, which is Xolo Maridueña’s Jamie Reye getting his hands on an alien object that looks like a mystical scarab which turns him into a superhero.
The film is set to release in cinema on 17 August 2023.
Barbie
Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling joined director Greta Gerwig for an extended trailer release of Barbie.
The film is set to release in cinema on 20 July 2023.
Other movies showcased by Warner Bros. Discovery included: Dune: Part Two (2 November 2023), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (19 December 2023), Wonka (14 December 2023), The Color Purple (24 December 2023), The Nun II (7 September 2023), Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (TBA).
Disney brought Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Animation and Pixar films to CinemaCon 2023. Among these were MCU films Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Marvels, animated movie Elemental, and highly anticipated movies The Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
A Haunting in Venice
The third instalment in Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot movies had its first teaser trailer release at CinemaCon 2023.
The film is set to release in cinema on 14 September 2023.
Taika Waititi’s Next Goal Wins
The maverick Taika Waititi is ready with his sports comedy film Next Goal Wins. It is about the American Samoa football team, known infamously for its 31-0 loss to Australia in a FIFA game in 2001. The film follows Michael Fassbender’s Thomas Rongen, a coach who is hired to help the team qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The film is set to release in cinema on 16 November 2023.
Elemental
Pixar’s Elemental is an animated film about residents of Element City, each of whom belong to an elemental group — land, air, water and fire. The extended 20-minute clip focussed on a fire element character, Ember, from the time she was a baby to her younger years. Unable to control her temper, she causes a disaster which brings her in conflict with water-element character Wade.
The film is set to release in cinema on 15 June 2023.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny concluded Disney’s slate of presentations at the event. Attendees got to see an action-packed clip from the upcoming film. The clip followed Harrison Ford’s Indy and Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Helena in pursuit of Mads Mikkelsen’s antagonist character Jürgen Voller through Tangier in Morocco.
The film is set to release in cinema on 29 June 2023.
Other movies showcased by Disney included: The Creator (28 September 2023) and Wish (21 November 2023).
Paramount Studios showcased their 2023 and 2024 slates of highly anticipated movie titles during their presentation at CinemaCon 2023.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
CinemaCon 2023 was treated to a brand new look at Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. The footage was extended from the already-released teaser.
The film is set to release in cinema on 3 August 2023.
The studio showcased a full 20 minutes of the upcoming film Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, starring Tom Cruise and set to release on 11 July 2023, along with the first trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which is scheduled for release on 19 October 2023, and a first look at A Quiet Place: Day One, set to release on 8 March 2024.
Universal and Focus Features presented their films after Disney on Day 3 of CinemaCon 2023.
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan took to the stage to introduce Oppenheimer, one of the most-anticipated movies of 2023. Nolan said that a full trailer may be attached to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 theatrical release. A five-minute reel was then shown to attendees. Cillian Murphy plays J. Robert Oppenheimer in the film. Matt Damon essays Major General Leslie Groves. Among the A-list star cast of the film are Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, David Dastmalchian, and Rami Malek among others.
The film is set to release in cinema on 20 July 2023.
Fast X
Vin Diesel made a surprise appearance at CinemaCon 2023 to announce that Fast X – Part 2 will be released in theaters in 2025. The announcement was made after the first part of the movie, Fast X, which is set to be released in cinemas on 18 May 2023. The event came to a close for the day following a trailer of Fast X.
Other titles showcased by Universal and Focus Features included: Drive-Away Dolls (22 September 2023), Kung Fu Panda 4 (6 March 2024), Wicked (November 2024).
Source: Lifestyle Asia, DiscussingFilm
From Scream VI to Fast X, Super Bowl 2023 saw a string of enticing new trailers
The Super Bowl 2023 brought us more than just an epic football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, it also gave us a sneak peek into some of the most anticipated movies of the year. Major movie studios including Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. and Disney all paid big bucks to promote their hottest titles.
From big-budget blockbusters to captivating dramas and spine-chilling thrillers, this year’s Super Bowl was a showcase of what’s to come from Tinseltown. Whatever genre it is you fancy, there was something for everyone during the trailer segment of the Super Bowl 2023. Here’s a rundown of all the movies that got a promotional boost during this year’s event.
Creed III
Release Date: 2 March 2023
30-second spot from Creed III at Super Bowl 2023 showcases more of the training and rivalry between Michael B. Jordan’s title character and Jonathan Majors’ Damian Anderson.
65
Release Date: 2 March 2023* (*Could be pushed to 9 March 2023)
Sony Pictures promoted 65 – a science-fiction thriller starring Adam Driver as a pilot who crashes and becomes stranded on Earth 65 million years ago. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the film also stars Ariana Greenblatt and Chloe Coleman.
Scream VI
Release Date: 9 March 2023
Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega, and Melissa Barrera headline this new minute-long Super Bowl 2023 spot that offers a longer look at one of the thriller’s set pieces briefly glimpsed in the previous trailer.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Release Date: 20 April 2023
The Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves Super Bowl 2023 trailer goes a long way to promise how action-packed it will be. Though brief, the teaser is a fast-paced, breathless montage of multiple action set-pieces, mythical creatures and even a titular dragon.
Air
Release Date: 6 April 2023 (International Release)
Ben Affleck’s next directorial offering sees Matt Damon play the man whose brainchild saw the birth of Nike’s Air Jordans. The first trailer for Air was revealed before Super Bowl LVII, with a big game spot along for the ride.
Guardians of Galaxy Vol. 3
Release Date: 4 May 2023
Disney used the Super Bowl broadcast to spotlight the third installment of Guardians of the Galaxy starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as the titular band of Marvel superheroes.
Fast X
Release Date: 19 May 2023
10 main movies in, it’s impossible not to know what you’re getting with the Fast & Furious franchise. The Super Bowl Fast X teaser and the full trailer released before it showed off all of the best parts: a new ostentatious villain in the shape of Jason Momoa, returning heroes and anti-heroes, major set-pieces, ludicrous physics and some good old-fashioned racing.
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Release Date: 08 June 2023
There’s more than just a sneak peek in this Transformers: Rise of the Beasts TV spot, because it’s not only a short promo for the film, but also an ad for Porsche, which is what Autobot Mirage transforms into in the trailer.
The Flash
Release Date: 15 June 2023
The first trailer for The Flash not only gives us a pretty good idea how the story might play out, but also reveals Michael Keaton in the Batsuit (and his Batmobile), Michael Shannon’s Zod, and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl, among other things. We also got a shorter minute-long TV spot for the film containing a lot of the same footage.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Release Date: 30 June 2023
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, the fifth installment of the hit Indiana Jones franchise featuring the return of Harrison Ford as the titular swashbuckling archaeologist.
Click here to check out the leading brand commercials that aired during Super Bowl 2023.
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Source: Empire, Variety
CinemaCon 2022 took place between 25 – 28 April 2022 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
CinemaCon, the annual convention organized by the National Association of Theatre Owners, is back after a cancelled 2020 edition and a muted 2021 affair.
Only eight months ago, the movie theater industry congregated at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The previous edition took place at a time when the cinema industry was in constant flux, with fewer overseas delegates, pre-recorded studio presentations, and a low turnout on the trade show floor.
The industry has made great strides since CinemaCon 2021, after a string of box office successes – Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Batman, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and a far more stabilized movie release calendar, which have given cinema owners the foundation to pursue a serious recovery. The worst looks to be behind movie owners around the world, with theatrically exclusive films returning to big screen and recent box office figures suggesting that viewers are returning to the medium.
Here’s a look at the biggest studio announcements from the largest annual gathering of the motion picture industry:
Sony Pictures:
Sony opened the studio presentations at CinemaCon 2022 with a victory lap. Tom Rothman, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, who energized the studio’s 2021 showcase to exhibitors by expressing a strong commitment to theatrical exclusivity.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has earned a whopping $3.3 billion in global box office since their last appearance in CinemaCon, only eight months back.
The studio’s 2022 presentation began with an extended look at the upcoming comedy-action caper Bullet Train (July 29) and continued its presentation further with the new looks of Where the Crawdads Sing (July 15) and The Woman King (September 16), original titles the studio believes will help balance the tentpole-heavy release schedule of the coming months.
Warner Bros.:
Warner Bros. started the presentation at CinemaCon 2022 by unveiling an early first look at footage from The Flash.
The major announcement of the evening was confirmation from studio chairman Toby Emmerich that director Matt Reeves and star Robert Pattinson would be coming back for another installment of The Batman.
Fans also caught the first glimpse of Margot Robbie in the starring role for Barbie, now scheduled for a July 21, 2023 release.
Director Baz Luhrman gave an enthusiastic introduction to footage from his upcoming Elvis, scheduled for a June 24 release, the film will confront the challenge of re-engaging older moviegoers.
Other non-franchise Warner Bros. titles featured in the presentation include the Timothy Chalamet musical Wonka (Christmas 2023), Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry, Darling starring Florence Pugh (September 23), and the Stephen King adaptation Salem’s Lot (September 9).
Warner Bros.’ focus on original titles didn’t overshadow the other DC Comics properties on its schedule. Their CinemaCon presentation included advance looks at Shazam! Fury of the Gods (December 16), Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom (March 17, 2023), DC League of Super-Pets (July 29), and Black Adam (October 21).
Disney:
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige opened the ceremony introducing a 20-minute clip of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Marvel titles have been a financial lifeline for the industry since cinemas reopened with titles like Black Widow, Shan-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, The Eternals, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The CinemaCon 2022 audience also enjoyed a 30-minute look at Lightyear, the first Pixar title to hit theaters since Onward.
Disney turned the rest of the presentation over to its 20th Century Studios division, where audiences got a first look at footage of David O. Russell’s Amsterdam (November 4). The title promises to be a star-studded big screen experience driven by leads Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington.
Six minutes of The Bob’s Burgers Movie (May 27) also screened for the audience, emerging as a promising counter-programming option set to open alongside Top Gun: Maverick over Memorial Day weekend.
Producer Jon Landau came on stage to share Disney’s biggest announcement of the morning. Avatar 2, now titled Avatar: The Way of Water, will stick to its December 16 release date.
Universal Studios:
Universal Studios’ presentation represented with footage from Jordan Peele’s Nope (July 22), David Gordon Green’s Halloween Ends (October 14), and the Blumhouse evil robot thriller M3gan (January 13, 2023).
Highlights from the showcase also included enthusiastic responses from exhibitors for comedies Easter Sunday (August 5), Minions: The Rise of Gru (July 1), and Bros (September 30). Universal’s presentation closed with legacy cast members of Jurassic World: Dominion introducing a trailer for the film ahead of its June 10 release.
Focus Features:
Focus Features president Lisa Bunnell introduced footage from several upcoming titles. Focus will bring a diverse slate to theaters in 2022 that includes movies like Downton Abbey: A New Era (May 18) and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris (July 15), genre plays like action-comedy flick Violent Night (December 2), and dramas like James Gray’s Armageddon Time.
Neon:
Neon showcased footage from a trio of its own titles to complement the week’s tentpole-driven presentations. David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future (June 3) is sure to make audiences squirm as the legendary director returns to his roots in body horror.
Lionsgate:
Lionsgate showcased upcoming comedy About My Father. The Studio also revealed never before seen footage of a slate that balances original films like coming-of-age comedy Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and horror flick The Devil’s Light with established action franchises like John Wick Chapter 4 and The Expendables 4.
The studio is also building spin-off series based on successful films. The drama White Bird will act as a sort of spiritual prequel to Lionsgate’s 2017 hit Wonder, while Ballerina will give star Anna de Armas her own series in the John Wick universe.
The CinemaCon 2022 audience caught their first glimpse of the video game adaptation Borderlands and a new Dirty Dancing movie heralding the return of original star Jeniffer Grey.
The big news from the Lionsgate showcase came in the final moments of the presentation with the announcement of a new Hunger Games prequel dated for November 17, 2023. The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes could provide a return to major global grosses for Lionsgate, which has played a larger role with mid-range titles since the Hunger Games series concluded in 2015.
Paramount Pictures:
Paramount Pictures kept most of the focus of its CinemaCon 2022 presentation on Top Gun: Maverick, which got its first public screening at the Las Vegas gathering Thursday.
The studio still had a few other big announcements to make. Among them were two title announcements for Paramount’s biggest franchises: Mission: Impossible and A Quiet Place. The seventh M:I film will be titled Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning: Part One while the upcoming “Quiet Place” spinoff from director Michael Sarnoski will be called A Quiet Place: Day One. Both films are set for release in 2023.
Source: Boxoffice Pro
From John Lewis, to M&S and Disney, here’s a list of the best Christmas ads in 2021 from around the world.
We’re at that time of year again, when the Christmas ads we see leave us feeling nostalgic, teary-eyed, emotional and in the mood for holiday time spent with family. They also give us a sense of collective spirit.
In contrast to subdued messages of pandemic stricken 2020, brands have gone all out with their storytelling this year. From fantasy filled extra-terrestrial scenarios, to intimate tales of holiday gatherings, here’s a collection of all the festive Christmas ads from your favourite brands and retailers, including the much talked about ones from John Lewis and M&S.
Check out the best Christmas ads of 2021 that reflects a year full of change, hope and joyful optimism:
John Lewis & Partners – Unexpected Guest
The U.K. retailer is back with a heartwarming tale set to cover of ‘Together in Electric Dreams’. The two-minute advert, entitled ‘Unexpected Guest’, is a joyful story of friendship between a young boy called Nathan and the space traveler, Skye, as they celebrate the magic of Christmas moments.
M&S Food – Percy Pig comes to life for the first time EVER!
Marks & Spencer’s Christmas advert for this year features Spiderman star Tom Holland as the voice of Percy Pig. The Christmas clip, which also stars Dawn French as a festive fairy, sees Percy Pig come to life and explore the treats on offer in an M&S food hall.
Aldi: Ebanana Scrooge
Aldi has released a charming Dickensian-style take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ with a spot that follows the story of Christmas loathing Ebanana Scrooge, who is reminded of the joys of the festive season by Kevin the Carrot. It’s part of a seasonal campaign that will see 1.8 million meals donated to families that need help across the UK over the festive period.
GAP – All Together Now
Katy Perry sings a Beatles song – ‘All You Need Is Love’, while playing the guitar in GAP’s 2021 Christmas advertisement.
Disney – The Stepdad
Disney celebrates blended families with its new Christmas ad. The Stepdad is a beautiful animated short that sees a new stepfather moving in with the family at the beginning of the holiday season, and it’s such a lovely example of how families can learn to interact with each other… you are definitely going to cry at least once when watching the ad. The Stepdad is a sequel to last year’s animated short from Disney – Lola.
Sports Direct – GO ALL OUT This Christmas
It’s the most expensive Christmas advert ever. And with tennis champ Emma Raducanu and football ace Jack Grealish leading a line-up of 16 sports stars, it is bound to score highly with viewers.
Boots: Bags of Joy
BAFTA-nominated actress and ‘Doctor Who’ star Jenna Coleman plays the leading role in Boots’ festive ad for 2021. As Boots puts it, “This Christmas is all about joy.” The joy of being with friends and family, the joy of getting out there and connecting with each other.
Argos: Baubles to Last Year! Christmas is On
Another British retailer to recognise our appetite for going BIG this festive season given the disappointment of last year. The campaign shows the pure joy of Christmas and all the ways we can make a big splash. The 60-second fun spot reminds us that Argos is a decent source of inspiration for shoppers looking for that perfect gift for family and friends.
Asda: Make Christmas Spectacular
Asda’s Christmas spot which features a family gliding through the festive season on their ice skates. The ad is about making the festive season ‘spectacular’!
Morrisons: Farmer Christmas
Morrisons is introducing Farmer Christmas to the nation with its festive ad this year, following two young friends who discover the other hero of Christmas. The 60-second spot tells a tale about Farmer Christmas who works all year too in order to deliver a delicious Christmas feast to tables across the country.
Coca-Cola: Chimney
Coca-Cola is another brand to into some real magic this Christmas with its festive ad that focuses on the concept of community. Featuring a story of a young boy who brings his apartment block together to celebrate the holidays, it opens with his desire to create a chimney out of cardboard boxes, ready for Santa Claus to deliver presents
Have a Christmas ad you would like to run in cinema? Contact us for more information on advertising across our circuit in the GCC.
Sources : Creative Boom, The Sun, Daily Mirror
Atlantis recently executed a cinema activation – ‘Cinevation’ – during a Black Widow session in the IMAX auditorium of VOX Cinemas – Mall of the Emirates.
The Atlantis ad booked to screen alongside the blockbuster Black Widow played first, followed by the activation video with a message to the audience to look under their seats for a special surprise – vouchers to visit Aquaventure Waterpark.
One lucky couple also won the bumper price – a romantic staycation at Dubai’s most iconic resort.
On Screen Commercial:
Activation Video:
The cinema activation was part of an annual deal booked by Atlantis (through Magna Global) to promote the resort’s Marine & Water Park, F&B and Rooms alongside eight movies releasing between 2021 and 2022 – including No Time to Die, Gucci and Missions: Impossible 7.
Have a similar or more creative in-cinema activation in mind for your brand? Contact a member of our sales team today for more information.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Marvel’s first epic to star an Asian hero and Disney’s first theatrical-only release since 2019, had a lot of factors against it, but it didn’t just overcome them, it practically somersaulted over.
According to tracking website Box Office Mojo, Shang-Chi earned $8.8 million from Thursday night (September 2) previews which began at 7pm across North America, the second highest preview result of the pandemic era behind Black Widow‘s $13.2 million, but rang up an estimated US$75.5 million at U.S. theaters between Friday September 3, and Sunday September 5 (labor weekend). As of September 19, the blockbuster has garnered US$160.9 million and US$112 million at the domestic and international box office (respectively), which equates to over US$272.9 million at worldwide box office (1.8 times the production budget of US$150 million), and is the second biggest opening of 2021.
Bob Chapek, Disney’s CEO, described the film as an “interesting experiment”, for the movie was the first franchise by studio to exclusively release in theatre, without the simultaneous release on Disney+, since the outbreak of the pandemic. But Simu Liu, the lead actor in Shang Chi, wrote on twitter – “We are not an experiment… We are the surprise.”
Media and industry pundits too labeled Shang-Chi as a ‘gamble’ for the studio’s choice of committing to a theatre only release, citing various reasons: the pandemic affected box office ticket sales, the fact that Labor Day weekend is typically slow for theaters, and the protagonist is a newcomer (with tweethearts of social media even referring to Liu as ‘Shang-Who’). However, based on movie reviews and box office figures: Shang-Chi broke the high-risk perception by major studios of releasing exclusively in theatres and not having a simultaneous streaming release, proved that the pandemic won’t stop people showing up for Marvel, and that even on a traditionally slow weekend, audiences were willing to return to the big screen for highly anticipated blockbusters.
After Black Widow, Jungle Cruise and Cruella concurrently released on Disney+, the studio announced last week that the rest of its 2021 slate — including Marvel’s Eternals and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story — will each screen exclusively in theaters. The news is promising for cinema exhibitors, for Disney films are routinely among the highest-grossing of the year.
Next up for Marvel are Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home, releasing October 21, November 4 and December 16, 2021.
Contact us for cinema advertising alongside these upcoming blockbusters.
Sources: npr, The Numbers, Variety, Vulture, L.A Times and Cinemablend
The cinema industry like most industries, has been massively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with 48 per cent of the world’s cinema screens re-opened, the industry is presently looking to rebuild itself with the release of some MEGA blockbusters in Q3 and Q4 2020.
After several months of the lack of major movie releases in cinemas, we’ve got some exciting news: VOX Cinemas has announced the release dates of some hugely-anticipated new movies, coming to a big screen near you in the coming weeks.
In a break from tradition, Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi/thriller – Tenet, will hit screens in the Middle East on 27th August, ahead of the US. Based on movie ticket pre-bookings in the UAE, all shows for Tenet are booking out fast – that’s how eager audiences are for new blockbuster content!
September will feature Mulan – live-action adaptation of Disney’s classic animated film of the same name, releasing 4th September, and The King’s Man – the third instalment in Matthew Vaughan’s popular period spy franchise, releasing 17th September.
For October, there’s Wonder Woman 1984 – the DC sequel which continues the story of the Amazon warrior princess Diana, releasing 1st October, as well as Death on the Nile – a new adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, releasing 22nd October.
Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas and Majid Al Futtaim Leisure and Entertainment, Cameron Mitchell said: “After several months of speculation and delays, I’m excited to announce that blockbusters are back at VOX Cinemas and unveil our impressive slate of must-see movies.”
Mitchell added: “There is a real pent-up demand for new releases and, with major tentpoles such as Tenet about to hit our theatres, we’re expecting a significant increase in box office sales.”
Advertisers, here’s your chance to advertise your brand alongside these MEGA Blockbusters. Click here to access our special offer for TENET, and contact us for more information on cinema advertising opportunities alongside the upcoming blockbusters.
Sources: Gulf Business, Gulf News, What’s On and VOX Cinemas
Following a long-running history of successfully bringing legendary tales to life through animation and music, and hot off the heels of live-action remakes such as Dumbo, Aladdin and The Lions King in 2019, Disney is set to release the reboot of Mulan in March 2020.
Mulan – directed by Niki Caro, is the story of a young woman named Hua Mulan who risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.
The remake will star Liu Yifei as the title character and since Disney premiered its teaser and official trailer, fans noticed some pretty big changes – General Shang, Shan Yu, or Mushu are no more!
The original animated movie was a musical, with characters singing songs throughout the story. According to Caro, there will also be no singing in this live-action adaptation, either.
Audiences in general can’t seem to get enough of Disney’s live-action remakes of classic animated films. They’re big, they’re colorful and most of them seem to be offering a new take on beloved characters.
Below are Worldwide Box Office figures for Disney’s most recent live-actions remakes:
Cinderella (2015) – Over US$534 Million
The Jungle Book (2016) – Over US$962 Million
Beauty and the Beast (2017) – Over US$1.26 Billion
Aladdin (2019) – Over US$1.05 Billion
The Lion King (2019) – Over US$1.65 Billion
The remake of the Chinese warrior is already poised to capture the hearts of audiences from around the world, and has broken a few records.
The official teaser trailer for Mulan logged an epic 175+ million views (globally) in its first 24 hours online, making it the 2nd ‘Most Viewed Debut Trailer’ for a Disney live-action adaptation. It is also the 7th ‘Most Watched Trailer’ of all-time behind Avengers: Endgame (trailer 1 & 2), Avengers: Infinity War (trailer 1 & 2), The Lion King (teaser trailer) and It (teaser trailer).
Watch the final trailer for Mulan:
Here’s why Mulan will be yet another Disney remake success:
A Symbol of ‘Girl Power’
Similar to other Disney movies, Mulan (1998) has not been forgotten and still gets heavy rotation in households all over the world. This means new generations have been introduced to the girl who dresses up like a guy to take her father’s place in the army. Hua Mulan battles it out with the enemies—more than once— then goes on to saving the kingdom, all while breaking free from the shackles of patriarchy. Little girls across the world love what Mulan represents – a young girl who fights for herself and never backs down.
Kids’ reviews of the original movie from 1998 reveals that little girls love what Mulan represents.
Here are some reviews from girls ages 11-13 on Common Sense Media:
“Mulan is an inspiration to me! The way she defeats the army and shows that women can do anything men can do really moves me. I also love her love interest, voiced by Donny Osmand. Mulan has violent scenes because it is war based and it might be scary for young children. Mulan was my first hero and I’m sure she inspires many other women.”
“Disney movies are usually stereotypical and about girls (meaning blonde blue eyed models) that fall in love and become princess with help from a magical beings. Not this girl! I love how Mulan fights for herself and never backs down … Mulan has good messages about that girls are strong and just as powerful as men. Every girl should see this movie at least once. One of my favorites. Really just an inspirational movie about girl power. Very good. Mulan is a true hero in my book.”
When it comes to the movie director, Niki Caro (The Zookeeper’s Wife) is at the center of this period-piece action fantasy. Caro is the second female director to be hired by Disney to direct a movie exceeding a $100 million budget following A Wrinkle in Time. Caro has a highly-impressive track record as a director and having a woman’s eye on a legendary female-fronted tale is a good move by the studio.
Speaking at the New Zealand Power of Inclusion Summit in 2019, Caro pointed out that Mulan is a landmark for representation not just for having a woman director, but also for having a female director of photography in Mandy Walker (Hidden Figures) and a female first assistant director, Liz Tan (Spider-Man: Homecoming, The Hobbit Trilogy).
‘Nostalgia’ a Magnet at Box Office
What makes Mulan an unforgettable character? Her brilliance, heart, and bravery are what made her a legend. Though she’s already smart and compassionate, Hua Mulan winds up becoming a fierce fighter in the Chinese army, learning to work on a team and independently. Honor and love for family were central to her journey. All of those elements are present in all versions of the film’s trailer.
Fans of Disney’s first version of Mulan are hyped about seeing a more realistic portrayal of the warrior’s story. She’s a favorite among Disney princesses and although the new film will be missing Mushu and its charming musical numbers, that won’t stop people from seeing it.
2020 Version Closer to the Original Story
When Disney released Mulan in 1998, it did not go over well with Chinese audiences. Part of that had to do with a lack of promotional activities in the country, but since the ‘90s, the Chinese box office has become a powerhouse for American films. Another reason it flopped was because of its storytelling. Various versions of Hua Mulan’s story have been told in Asian cinema for decades, but those were accepted since they focused on the original epic.
The BBC reports that Disney was extra careful with the story of Hua Mulan this time, using the 6th century ballad as its guiding light. This time, the storytelling will be more inclusive of traditional Chinese customs that were the norm at the time.
When the BBC examined how the trailer was received overseas, they mentioned the social media site, Weibo, where users posted comments such as: “Hua Mulan was the heroine who graced our storybooks in school. I’m happy that the trailer is setting her story up as more of a Chinese martial arts epic rather than an American cartoon.”
In spite of complaints about historical inaccuracies, the trailer has been well-received for Mulan, a film that’s shaping up to be a depiction of the legendary girl warrior who’s been celebrated for centuries. For many fans, March can’t come fast enough.
An All-Asian Star Cast
Not only is Mulan great for its strong female lead, but the 2020 version seems to have done justice by avoiding whitewashing. The live action remake is sticking to its plot and heritage, with casting focused on actors of Asian ethnicities who appeal to both Chinese and Western audiences.
After a team of Disney casting directors conducted a year-long search, traveling across five continents and auditioning nearly 1000 candidates, Liu Yifei was selected to play the role of Hua Mulan.
*Did you know – According to the cinematographer of the film, the battle sequences in Mulan were all done in front of the camera and Liu Yifei did 90% of her own stunts.
Donnie Yen has been cast as a fresh character named Commander Tung, who will serve as Hua Mulan’s mentor and teacher. Yen is best known for his role in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2012), the Ip Man films and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
Among the new characters introduced for this version of the film, the main antagonist in the movie is a powerful witch named Xian Lang, played by Li Gong. The actress also played the main villain in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) to much acclaim. Her inclusion adds an element of magic to Mulan not seen before, perhaps creating new circumstances for the army.
Jason Scott Lee – best known for his portrayal of Bruce Lee in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993) and his voice role of David in Lilo & Stitch (2002) is also joining the movie as Bori Khan.
Jet Li has been casted by Disney as the Emperor of China in the upcoming live-action film. Li is one of the most prominent Chinese actors to grace Hollywood, starting with his debut in 1998’s Lethal Weapon 4. In the early ’00s he made a name for himself as a martial artist action hero, most recently appearing in The Expendables movies. Li and Liu Yifei have worked alongside each other before in The Forbidden Kingdom (2008).
Yoson An will play the role of Chen Honghui – Mulan’s rival and love interest, in 2020’s version the legendary tale.
Boxoffice Pro is projecting Mulan to make $40 – 60 million in its US opening, while Motivate Val Morgan forecasts over 520K admissions for the movie in the UAE.
Mulan is set to grace cinemas across the Middle East on 26th March, 2020. Contact us for cinema advertising opportunities alongside this MEGA Blockbuster.
Sources: Deadline, Forbes, Heroic Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, Cheat Sheet, The Numbers, Boxoffice Pro. and Wikipedia
