Amazon MGM Studios unveiled an exclusive first look at Verity during CinemaCon. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling psychological thriller by Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends with Us. Directed by Michael Showalter, who recently collaborated with Anne Hathaway on the rom-com The Idea of You, Verity stars Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer hired to finish a popular book series after its author, Verity Crawford (played by Hathaway), becomes incapacitated.
Upon arriving at the Crawford residence, Lowen becomes involved with Verity’s husband, Jeremy (Josh Hartnett), and discovers an unfinished manuscript that may expose unsettling secrets about Verity. At the Las Vegas event, Amazon MGM presented a trailer exclusively for attendees, showcasing the tense dynamic between the characters. Lowen questions Verity’s condition, asking, “Can she speak? Does she know what’s going on?” Jeremy reassures her that if anyone were to continue Verity’s series, it would be someone whose work she admired. The trailer hints at eerie developments and the complex relationship between Verity and Jeremy.
Also featuring Ismael Cruz Córdova and Brady Wagner, Verity is scheduled for theatrical release on October 2. This film is among several recent adaptations of Colleen Hoover’s novels, following the massive success of Sony’s It Ends with Us, which grossed over $351 million worldwide despite ongoing legal disputes involving key creatives Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Paramount quickly followed with Regretting You, starring Allison Williams and McKenna Grace, which earned more than $90 million. Universal’s Reminders of Him, featuring Maika Monroe and Tyriq Withers, also performed well, surpassing $84 million at the box office after its recent release.
Amazon MGM, which debuted at CinemaCon last year with a modest track record, has since demonstrated its growing success, notably with the hit Project Hail Mary. The studio is now promoting upcoming projects including a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair starring Michael B. Jordan, Masters of the Universe, and Spaceballs 2.
The presentation opened with a captivating solo performance by Jon Batiste, composer of The Thomas Crown Affair, setting an energetic tone. Michael B. Jordan then showcased his star power in a stylish caper trailer. The sequel to Spaceballs, titled Spaceballs: The New One, was teased with appearances from original cast members Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, and Rick Moranis, alongside newcomers Josh Gad and Lewis Pullman. Moranis humorously struggled to get a word in during the presentation.
Additional footage included quirky scenes such as a rolling cube droid, children resembling those from the Harry Potter series, and a Na’vi character at a urinal, with Moranis commenting in their language. The sequel promises a blend of nostalgia and new humor.
Project Hail Mary has extended its exclusive theatrical window, delaying its streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video, as announced by Ryan Gosling and producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The film has earned $525 million globally and continues to perform strongly. Meanwhile, the long-awaited Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill is halfway through production, with additional shoots planned in exotic locations. A teaser featuring Cavill and the cast training for fight scenes was shown, signaling high expectations for the film.
Among the stylized action films presented, Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother stood out. Starring Mahershala Ali and directed by Bassam Tariq, the film is described as a “visceral and morally complex” thriller with arthouse sensibilities and striking cinematography, reminiscent of Barry Jenkins’ style applied to an action genre.
While speculation about major James Bond announcements at CinemaCon proved premature, Amazon MGM reaffirmed its commitment to quality over quantity, aiming to release 15 films by 2027. Kevin Wilson emphasized the studio’s goal to create compelling reasons for audiences to visit theaters, quoting Ryan Gosling’s remark that it is the filmmakers’ responsibility to make cinema-going worthwhile.
The studio’s strategy involves blending original stories with its extensive MGM library, with film chief Valenti highlighting the distinct identities of Amazon’s labels, including Orion and Scott Stuber’s United Artists. This approach reflects a deliberate effort to build a diverse and impactful slate of films.
