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Hollywood Studios Champion Moviegoing Experience at CinemaCon, The Beatles Biopic Highlights Presentation
LAS VEGAS – Top Hollywood studio executives are actively promoting the theatergoing experience, leveraging the iconic legacy of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The announcement of stars slated to portray the legendary band members served as a key highlight at this year’s CinemaCon, the annual convention for movie theater operators.
Sony Pictures Unveils Beatles Biopics
Sony Pictures commenced the CinemaCon convention and industry trade show in Las Vegas on Monday by showcasing their ambitious project: four forthcoming biographical films, each centered on a distinct perspective from one of The Beatles.
During their presentation on the main stage at Caesars Palace, the studio officially verified and introduced the widely speculated lead actors for each biopic. The cast includes Paul Mescal as McCartney, Joseph Quinn embodying Harrison, Barry Keoghan taking on the role of Starr, and Harris Dickinson portraying Lennon.
“Binge-able Theatrical Experience” Set for 2028 Release
Director Sam Mendes announced that all four films are scheduled for release in April 2028, describing the ambitious project as the “first binge-able theatrical experience.”
“I have been endeavoring to develop a story about The Beatles for several years,” Mendes stated, emphasizing his long-term commitment to the project and its theatrical ambition.
CinemaCon: A Platform for Promoting Theatrical Releases
The convention annually attracts thousands of cinema employees from across the globe. Major Hollywood studios utilize CinemaCon as a crucial platform to deliver impactful presentations featuring film previews, trailers, and appearances by stars. These efforts aim to demonstrate that their upcoming slate of movies will effectively draw audiences back to movie theaters.
Sony further bolstered their presentation by bringing out Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle to premiere the latest trailer for “28 Years Later,” the highly anticipated sequel in the zombie apocalypse series “28 Days Later.” This film is slated for theatrical release in June. Additionally, the team behind “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” offered a preview of their third installment in the Spider-Verse trilogy.
Strategies to Boost Movie Theater Attendance
Tom Rothman, CEO of Sony, urged movie theater owners to implement innovative strategies, such as offering weekday discounts to attract more patrons. Sony executive Adam Bergerman further advocated for extending the duration that films remain in cinemas to maximize revenue potential.
Industry Seeks to Reverse Box Office Trends
This year’s convention arrives on the heels of an Oscars ceremony that prominently championed the importance of experiencing movies in theaters.
Despite expectations of a more robust release schedule in comparison to the strike-impacted calendar of 2024, Hollywood has faced a considerable box office deficit in the first quarter of 2025. According to Comscore, a media analytics firm, sales are down 11% compared to the same period in 2024 and nearly 40% lower than in 2019, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the movie industry.