CinemaCon: 'Spider-Man Homecoming' Official Title of Web-Slinger's Next Solo Outing
By Rebecca Ford
Spidey finally has a name.
Sony unveiled the title for its Spider-Man reboot — Spider-Man Homecoming — at its CinemaCon presentation on Tuesday night. The studio also brought out Tom Holland, who will star as the young Peter Parker, as the surprise guest. The young actor was flown to Las Vegas straight from the premiere of Captain America: Civil War in Hollywood.
The first clip from Spider-Man Homecoming showed Holland’s Parker meeting Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, who drops by his Aunt May’s (Marisa Tomei) house. The film, directed by Jon Watts, is set to hit theaters July 7, 2017.
Sony kicked off its presentation at CinemaCon with the first big footage from both Ang Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk and the sci-fi love story Passengers, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt.
Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Picture Entertainment’s Motion Pictures Group, opened up the presentation, speaking to “the balance between familiarity and freshness.” Michael Lynton, CEO of Sony Entertainment, was also in the house to support the motion picture group.
“We have a number of power brands returning, relaunching or being introduced, and yet at Sony we also believe that it is vital to maintain a commitment to originality,” said Rothman.
More: Zendaya Joins Tom Holland in Spider-Man Reboot
The exec introduced the footage from Lee’s Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. “There are many true filmmakers in the world. There is only one Ang Lee,” said Rothman. The clips focused on Joe Alwyn’s role as a soldier who returns home a hero but struggles to overcome his experience in Iraq.
Rothman added some star-wattage to the presentation by bringing out Passengers stars Lawrence and Pratt to present new clips from the sci-fi film.
“I have never seen a young actress of such power, grace, range, authenticity and impact,” Rothman said of Lawrence.
At first they were reading off the teleprompter, but then the famously candid stars went rogue. “Movie tickets are half off!” the actress yelled to the audience of theater owners.
“The hell they are!” Rothman responded.
The stylish footage from Passengers focused on Pratt’s character, a man on a 120-year journey in space who wakes up from hibernation early. Then, a woman (Lawrence) also wakes up.
Other surprise guests included director Paul Feig and the stars of Ghostbusters, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. “I love an underdog story,” said McCarthy. “I love when an unlikely person becomes the hero.”
More: CinemaCon — Sony Teases Ang Lee’s ‘Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk’
Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution at Sony Pictures Entertainment, then took over hosting duties, introducing a reel of upcoming TriStar films.
“Audiences are more discerning than ever before,” said Bruer. “Sony is a company with something for everyone.”
The studio did indeed show a wide range of footage, ranging from Antoine Fuqua’s The Magnificent Seven, Edgar Wright’s Baby Driver and animated comedy Sausage Party.
CinemaCon runs through Thursday.
