‘Mission Impossible’ and ‘The Running Man’ Lead the Paramount Presentation

Preview:

• Paramount offered news on some of its movies at its CinemaCon Presentation.
• ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ and ‘The Running Man’ were among those hyped.
• Surprisingly little was said about ‘Scream 7’ and a few other big titles.

Better Man’ became a domestic flop.

The studio is also dealing with being in flux in of management, with Skydance merger battling its way to closure.

More importantly, 2025 is ‘Mission’ critical, and by that, we mean ‘Dead Reckoning.’

Not to mention that this is potentially the actual final ‘Christopher McQuarrie. The big question: would the company announce that this really is the last chapter in a saga that began back in the 1990s (at least in movie ), as a way to goose interest? Or would it confidently confirm that, like James Bond, Ethan Hunt would return?

Either way, the CinemaCon presentation was likely to feature Tom Cruise in some fashion –– be it on stage, or on video clinging to a plane, train or automobile (or building).

Or even, possibly just on screen holding his breath underwater during the entire , simply to prove he can.

Other predications for movies to be covered? The new ‘Scream 7.’

And now, on with the show…

Stunts are often something studios like to roll out, so Paramount kicked off with Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution riding a motorcycle on stage. He rode off to be replaced by three other riders, who did jumps off ramps and flips, all with smoke and explosions. Aronson was back to announce, “that’s right, I do my own stunts!”

He also talked up the company’s efforts to make 2025 a rebound year after the strikes and pledged to show fewer ads and trailers in theaters (phew!), plus other deals such as discount Wednesdays and extended matinee hours.

Following a sizzle reel of Paramount Pictures past and future, Paw Patrol’ movies for each pup to compete with Sony’s Beatles movies. He was joking of course. Or was he???!!

Robbins also said that the studio’s guiding principle is shareholder… Sorry, that people love going to the movies.

Then, it was on to talking about movies in production for 2026, including ‘Trey Parker.

Related Article: ‘Masters of the Universe’ and ‘Project Hail Mary’ Lead Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon Debut

But back to 2025…

‘The Running Man’

Co-writer/director Edgar Wright was on stage to tout the Glen Powell-starring new version of the dystopian King story where civilians compete in deadly games to win cash prizes.

‘The Running Man,’ is per Wright is “the kind of movie that gives everyone something to cheer for.” He explained that since the source novel is set in 2025, so is the movie.

And talking of cheering, he was ed by star Powell on stage.

Powell said:

“This is the full meal. What Edgar has cooked up with this one is nothing short of extraordinary,”

The actor joked that he asked pal and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ boss Tom Cruise for advice on using a stunt double –– and has paid the price for doing so much himself.

If that wasn’t enough star wattage, Josh Brolin ed the party.

“We knew we were part of something really special,” gushed Domingo, while Brolin itted it was a thrill to play a wonderfully maniacal character.

Despite the movie having wrapped three short weeks ago, Domingo (dropping into character as show host Bobby Thompson) was able to cue up some footage, and a first look played.

In an extended trailer, Brolin’s executive character recruits Glen for show to protect his family. Lots of action. We see him in show and then being chased.

‘The Running Man’ sprints into theaters on November 7th.

From there, it was on to animation, with word on ‘Seth Rogen again producing.

But all that was prelude to…

‘Smurfs’

The latest take on the little blue creatures features, as previously mentioned, Rihanna (who touted the movie in a video introduction) as the voice of Smurfette, in the story of Papa Smurf being kidnapped and the others having to find him.

In addition to the music megastar, the cast is loaded, with John Goodman all aboard.

The first trailer for the new animated/live-action outing was shown, showing how our diminutive heroes travel to the real world in search of Papa and encounter Ken, his brother (Offerman).

‘Smurfs’ will smurf its way into theaters on July 18th.

Next?

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’

The latest SpongeBob film had voice star Corvette Summer’ jokes!

Hamill –– who plays the Flying Dutchman –– made the crowd laugh by saying,

“I did an episode in Season Five and I did such a good job they asked me back 18 years later!”

We got a first look at the film itself. Like ‘Smurfs,’ (and some other SpongeBob outings) it blends animation with live action, and features Clancy Brown as Blackbeard. The story finds out hero wanting to grow up and embrace his macho side by having more adventures –– including to the underworld.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ will sail into theaters on December 19th.

We moved on to…

'The Naked Gun'

The new reboot of the classic comedy franchise –– spawned, let’s not forget from the files of ‘Paul Walter Ha among the cast.

‘Naked Gun’s presentation kicked off with a saxophone player on stage pumping out noir-y music as Chris Aronson stood silently on stage, while a recorded voice-over played over the speakers as if his internal monologue was happening in real time.

Best line?

“This musician sounds expensive, but this is Vegas, you have to pay for good sax…”

The teaser was shown, which you can find here:

It’s a funny clip, introducing Neeson’s badass Frank Jr taking out bank robbers, only slightly undercut by being dressed as a Catholic schoolgirl complete with panties. Bonus points for a fun final gag featuring a wall of tributes to dead cops, crying sons honoring their fathers and possibly the best way to incorporate OJ Simpson (who played Nordberg in the original).

‘The Naked Gun’ stumbles on to screens on August 1st.

From there it was time for…

‘Roofman’

The new movie from Channing Tatum, who was on stage to hype it up.

He cued the first trailer for the movie, a biopic of the fugitive Jeffrey Manchester, a former United States Army Reserve officer, known colloquially as “Roofman” due to his propensity to steal from branches of McDonald's after entering their premises via the roof, and, after he was jailed and got out evaded further capture from police by hiding in the wall of a Toys ‘R’ Us store.

The cast also includes Uzo Aduba.

‘Roofman’ steals into cinemas on October 3rd.

Next, we moved to…

‘Regretting You’

The latest Coleen Hoover adaptation stars Mason Thames.

And for the big finish…

'Mission: Impossible –The Final Reckoning’

Paramount’s Robbins returned to the stage to introduce the one, the only Tom Cruise, who got a rapturous reception.

Instead of launching into promotion, Cruise took a moment to memorialize friend and ‘Top Gun’ co-star Val Kilmer, who recently died.

“I can’t tell you how much I respected his work and to have him in ‘Top Gun’ and back for ‘Maverick.’ Thank you, Val. I wish you well on your next journey."

From there, he enthused about ‘Mission’ writer/director Chris McQuarrie, with Cruise mentioning how long they’ve been collaborating (on the Ethan Hunt movies and beyond). He even joked that people think “McQ” (as Tom calls him) is Jerry Maguire’ all grown up!

Cruise went on to talk about how the ‘Mission’ movies are a puzzle and a Rubik’s Cube made under intense pressure, living breathing things where endless discoveries are made in the process.

They also discussed how Cruise brought McQuarrie in to rewrite scenes in ‘Simon Pegg said on set, “who is this guy?” Tom replied, “That’s McQ”. Apparently McQuarrie came up with the “Blue is glue, red is dead” stunt scene on the spot in Dubai.

There was also time for Cruise to add that he’s looking forward to seeing ‘Interview with the Vampire’ together.

Switching tracks back to ‘Mission,’ Cruise stressed the challenges and importance of shooting in the pandemic, keeping crews working and the industry going.

“We were able to deliver these movies to theaters despite being shut down by pandemic and two strikes.”

Cruise then introduced McQuarrie himself, who strode on stage and quipped:

“Tom knows I can’t stand compliments, he’s enjoying this immensely…”

He’ll have to suffer more, as he’s receiving the Director of the Year award at the CinemaCon awards later.

He offers that he was ready to quit the business, but Cruise saw potential in him.

Cruise: “I’m here today because if your vision and trust.”

And for McQ’s side:

“It’s been fun to work with you and put you in harm’s way for everyone’s pleasure.”

The new ‘Mission’ movie contains some of the most complex practical sequences on celluloid –– not that that should be surprising from these two.

itting that they’d be nowhere without audiences, Cruise introduced the new ‘Final Reckoning’ trailer, but not before name-checking every writer and director who has worked on the franchise so far, plus the executive likes of Paula Wagner too.

Then, it was time for the trailer itself, which sometimes felt like an expanded version of the teaser that arrived last year.

Lots of Ethan Hunt action (of course!) with Tom leaping off and onto things, plus a look at some newer cast including Nick Offerman and Janet McTeer. It also serves as a love-letter to the whole franchise.

Indeed, the ‘Mission’ portion of the presentation felt like that too –– while no one said directly it’s the end, this felt pretty final. Until they announce the next one, that is…

‘Mission: Impossible –– The Final Reckoning’ speeds into cinemas on May 23rd.

And talking of finality, there ended the Paramount CinemaCon 2025 presentation!

Editorial Note: Jami Philbrick contributed to this reporting.