With roughly $4 million for a 30-second ad, motion picture companies would be nuts to not get some screen time during the Super Bowl. However, Marvel, Disney, and Warner Brothers held some of their most-anticipated cards close this year.
Running down the list, we had spots for anything from Jurassic World to Kingsman: The Secret Service to Seventh Son, but for the sake of relevance and timeliness, we’re just focusing on movies out within the next few months, not within the next week or two.
Off the bat, I’m most looking forward to Jurassic World.
Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, more dinos in a packed amusement park – including a new DNA-spliced dino that’s hinted at Godzilla-style … never a good plan. What’s not to love? Jurassic World, helmed and co-written by Colin Trevorrow, hits theaters on June 12.
*****
Disney was pushing for Brad Bird’s upcoming Tomorrowland.
Well, not pushing REALLY big, as the plot (in the teasers so far) is being kept a secret. Long story short, Frank (George Clooney), a jaded inventor, was kicked out of Tomorrowland years back, and Casey’s (Britt Robertson) curiosity pushes him to return. Or something to that effect. And Hugh Laurie plays David Nix, a brilliant scientist – and leader of sorts in Tomorrowland. I could always do with more Hugh Laurie. Brad Bird (who, in addition to helming the film, has co-writing credit with Damon Lindelof and co-story credit) brings the film to theaters on May 22.
*****
A cappella goes hardcore when the Barden Bellas take to the stage in an international a cappella championship in Pitch Perfect 2.
Having only seen the first film within the last year (and enjoying it), I’m looking forward to the sequel – even if it has cameos from (among others) David Cross and members of the Green Bay Packers, as glimpsed in the teaser. I’m down for more Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, and Elizabeth Banks (who is also directing), among others. Pitch Perfect 2 hits theaters on May 15.
*****
While I haven’t gotten into the Divergent fandom at all, the sequel Insurgent is nearly upon us.
You can’t tell much about the plot of the sequel from this very Matrix-y teaser, but the Chosen One trope is strong with this one. Still, the first film netted enough to secure a sequel, so why not give the fans what they want? Insurgent hits theaters on March 20.
*****
And speaking of sequels/franchises, we have a few more to get to starting with Furious 7.
I’m honestly surprised that a car racing movie could spawn so many sequels with so many modern action stars – even roping in Jason Statham for this film. I’ve never seen any of the previous films – apart from some clips here and there – but I still can’t get on-board because of the stunts that defy the laws of physics. The stunt with the safe? Nope. Jumping a car from skyscraper to skyscraper? Hell no.
Furious 7, helmed by James Wan, roars into theaters (and IMAX) on April 3.
*****
I wasn’t insanely big on the Terminator films – probably because the third and fourth films (out of those, I only saw the third in full) dragged the franchise down – but Genisys could have potential.
Okay, yes, Alan Taylor is directing and the last franchise film he directed (Thor: The Dark World) wasn’t met with rave reviews, but Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor? And re-writing history/the series canon? I’m interested – even if CG-Ahnold and the Ahnold-torpedo look laughable. Terminator Genisys hits theaters (and IMAX) on July 1.
*****
I didn’t see the first Ted and I’m not even planning on seeing the sequel.
Maybe it’s the tone … and the fact that the plot revolves around Ted (Seth McFarlane) trying to legally prove he’s got rights so he and his now-wife Tami Lynn can have a baby by way of a sperm donor – Johnny (Mark Wahlberg). The film hits theaters on June 26.
*****
As if Dreamworks needed another franchise, the Minions are getting their own Despicable Me spin-off.
This stand-alone film finds the little yellow unintelligible assistants searching for the most evil person to serve (Sandra Bullock as Scarlet Overkill) – before eventually coming across Gru pre-Despicable Me. The TV spot, however, just plays on the adorable critters and the Super Bowl hype. It hits theaters on July 10.
*****
And last but least, we have a TV spot for Unfinished Business that borrows a page from SNL and The Lonely Island.
I have no hopes for this film – which looks like yet another sophomoric Vince Vaughn film meets Eurotrip. It hits theaters on March 6.
*****
What was your favorite promo TV spot from the Super Bowl? Let us know below!
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