Exclusive Interviews from CinemaCon 2026: Supergirl, Avengers: Doomsday & More

CinemaCon 2026 is underway, and as expected, it’s delivering a torrent of news and star power. This isn't just a parade of celebrity faces; it’s where studios lay out their strategic plays for the next year or two, and the talent offers early peeks into their projects. We’ve been sifting through the noise, pulling together interviews with the names behind some of the most anticipated films across every genre imaginable. From superhero spectacles and sci-fi revivals to concert experiences and horror flicks, the lineup confirms one thing: Hollywood’s aiming to keep those seats filled.

Over the next few days, we'll keep updating this hub with fresh content from Las Vegas.

The Big Guns: DCU, MCU, and Star Wars Take Center Stage

You can’t have CinemaCon without the heavy hitters, and this year, the superhero and sci-fi franchises are certainly making their presence felt. The DCU gets a significant push with Supergirl, arriving June 26, 2026. Milly Alcock and Jason Momoa sat down with Fandango’s Nikki Novak, alongside director Craig Gillespie. Alcock described a Supergirl with "a more chaotic moral compass than her cousin, Superman," which is an interesting angle to explore. Meanwhile, Momoa sounded genuinely thrilled to finally portray Lobo, his "favorite superhero." Gillespie, for his part, praised his cast's "accessibility, vulnerability and strength." This sounds like a deliberate effort to differentiate Supergirl from past iterations. Then there’s Marvel. The big news from president Kevin Feige and directors Joe and Anthony Russo is the return of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in *Avengers: Doomsday*, hitting theaters December 18, 2026. This is huge. After *Endgame*, many of us assumed those chapters were closed. The Russos detailed the importance of bringing them back, balancing a colossal scale with individual character depth, and how they manage such a massive undertaking. One has to wonder what narrative acrobatics they'll employ to make this work, but if anyone can pull it off, it's them. Speaking of big universes, Jon Favreau gave us some insight into *Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu*, which moves from TV to the big screen on May 22. Favreau, directing and co-writing, discussed the "mystery of the Hutts" and how the shift to cinema allows for "bigger sets and more visually astonishing camera shots." The real kicker? He directed Martin Scorsese in a *Star Wars* movie. That’s a sentence I didn't expect to write this year, and it certainly piques my interest. Then there's *Street Fighter*, an adaptation that always comes with fan baggage. Noah Centineo, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Andrew Koji, and Callina Liang chatted about crafting a "love letter to fans," packed with Easter eggs, incredible stunt work, and the emotional impact of donning those "iconic costumes." It hits theaters October 16, 2026.

Returns and Revivals: Nostalgia Plays a Hand

CinemaCon is also a stage for unlikely comebacks. The most surprising? *Spaceballs: The New One*, a sequel arriving 40 years after the original on April 23, 2027. Rick Moranis joins original cast members Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga, alongside new faces like Josh Gad and Lewis Pullman, and director Josh Greenbaum. Moranis's return alone is a monumental moment, and the discussions about generational connections to Mel Brooks's classic sound promising. And then there's *Jackass: Best and Last*, scheduled for June 26, 2026. Johnny Knoxville insists this is truly the "last hurrah" for the legendary stunt crew. He talked about the team's passion for "going for broke" one last time and how Spike Jonze elevated the film's opening and ending. We've heard "last hurrah" before, of course, but the commitment here sounds genuine.

Genre Shifts and Unexpected Pairings

The breadth of films here is genuinely interesting. Director Takashi Yamazaki, already mentioned earlier, returned to discuss *Godzilla Minus Zero*, coming November 6, 2026. He confessed even *he* was "shocked" by the VFX. This version, set in a post-WWII era with a global scope, promises a fresh take on the iconic kaiju, inspired by past iterations but requiring audiences to come in with a "clean slate." Horror gets a spotlight with *Hokum*, a May 1, 2026 release starring Adam Scott. Scott insists this is a big-screen experience. He painted a picture of the Irish countryside as both stunning and terrifying, praising director Damien McCarthy's subtle yet potent filming style. His take on blending "funny moments" to intensify the scares suggests a clever, unsettling ride. Then there’s the quirkier fare: *The Sheep Detectives*, arriving May 8. Hugh Jackman, who plays shepherd George Hardy, and Nicholas Braun shared tales of working with their sheep co-stars. Jackman was drawn in by the story's charm. It’s been described as "Knives Out Meets Babe," which is certainly a pitch. LaKeith Stanfield previewed Boots Riley's *I Love Boosters*, hitting May 22, 2026. Stanfield called it "a big bundle of entertainment, color, and music," with a "boundary-pushing scope and style." He hinted at never-before-seen camera work and a timely underlying message. Given Riley's previous work, this sounds like one to watch. And in a move that feels emblematic of a diversifying theatrical slate, Billie Eilish and James Cameron discussed their concert film, *Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour*, coming May 8, 2026. Eilish felt this was the ideal moment for a concert film, offering fans a unique "peek behind the curtain." Cameron, predictably, outlined the sophisticated film techniques employed for a "one-of-a-kind experience." It's an interesting collaboration that brings A-list musical talent to the cinematic experience, leveraging Cameron's visual mastery. Finally, William Franklyn-Miller briefly touched on his "transformation" for *Young Washington*. Details are scarce on this one, but it suggests a period piece in the mix. What’s clear from these early announcements is that 2026 and 2027 are shaping up to be busy years, blending familiar franchises with a few genuinely unexpected projects. It's a broad strategy, aiming to hit every demographic with a mix of comfort and innovation. We’ll be watching closely to see how these promises translate onto the big screen.CinemaCon 2026 clearly wasn't short on variety. Fandango's Nikki Novak kept busy, interviewing talent across an almost bizarrely eclectic slate of upcoming features. What's striking isn't just the sheer number of films, but the stark contrast in ambition and target audience. From historical dramas and global epics to family-friendly revivals, it’s a snapshot of studios trying to hit every possible demographic.

A Global Epic Takes Center Stage

Perhaps the most significant announcement came from the team behind *Ramayana*, a two-part saga that aims for nothing less than a global impact. Writer/Producer `Namit Malhotra` and `Yash`, who plays Ravana, sat down with Novak to frame the film not just as an epic, but as the "foundational story of Indian culture." That’s a bold claim, but the comparison to cinematic titans like `Avatar` and `Gladiator` during their discussion at CinemaCon suggests they're genuinely aiming for that scale. This isn't just a regional film; it's being positioned as a tentpole event, a "war of noble causes" with universal themes. Given its `November 8, 2026` release, it’s a project that demands attention, especially if it lives up to those ambitious comparisons. You can find more details at Fandango's overview: `https://www.fandango.com/ramayana-2026-245446/movie-overview`

Reimagining American History

Then there's *Young Washington*, hitting theaters `July 3, 2026`. This project takes a very different tack, focusing on the formative years of America's first president. `William Franklyn-Miller`, in his first starring role, is tackling the legendary `George Washington`—a formidable task for any actor, let alone a newcomer. What makes this particularly interesting is the supporting cast: he's going "toe-to-toe" with lauded actors like `Ben Kingsley`, `Andy Serkis`, and `Kelsey Grammer`. That kind of veteran support around a young lead suggests the studio has real faith in Franklyn-Miller's portrayal. It also indicates a deeper dive into the man before the myth, exploring the period *before* he became president. That's a smart narrative choice, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar historical figure.

The Return of a Canine Classic

And then, there's *Air Bud Returns*, slated for `January 22, 2027`. This one, frankly, feels like a curveball after the high-minded historical and epic dramas. Director `Robert Vince` and `Buddy the Dog` (yes, the dog itself) joined Novak to talk about why it's time to bring back the beloved `Air Bud` franchise. Details like `Buddy` "bragging" about doing his own stunts and `Vince` discussing canine casting and directing dog-led basketball games hint at the film’s playful, family-oriented tone. It’s certainly a lighter entry, playing heavily on nostalgia and pure, unadulterated canine charm. You can check out its Fandango page here: `https://www.fandango.com/air-bud-returns-2027-245448/movie-overview`

What This Mix Means

What this diverse slate from CinemaCon 2026 truly underscores is the studios' multi-pronged approach to capturing audience attention in a fractured market. We're seeing everything from culturally significant blockbusters with immense global potential like *Ramayana*, to a serious historical drama with a fresh angle in *Young Washington*, and then the comforting, nostalgic family fare of *Air Bud Returns*. It's a strategy designed to appeal to everyone, a calculated gamble that by casting such a wide net, they'll guarantee *something* resonates with moviegoers. Ultimately, this isn't just about individual films; it's about the industry's continued effort to prove that the theatrical experience still matters, no matter the genre or the budget. And if you're keen to catch all these exclusive interviews, Fandango’s got a dedicated CinemaCon 2026 playlist on `YouTube` for that: `https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIqpKQ_TJ_bDtiejgDpPC-pPXK4Vw8Lhq`.