Warner Bros may have been in existence for more than 100 years, but it is the company’s spirit of renewal that was celebrated in its slate prese
Warner Bros may have been in existence for more than 100 years, but it is the company’s spirit of renewal that was celebrated in its slate presentation at the CineEurope convention in Barcelona yesterday (June 17).
The session, introduced by newly promoted president of global theatrical distribution Jeff Goldstein, spotlighted the recent artistic leadership at Warner Bros Pictures Animation – whose first release is The Cat In The Hat, out next February – and at DC Studios, which has dubbed this summer “the summer of Superman”.
Goldstein’s promotion into his recent global role following a lifelong career at Warner Bros was celebrated by CineEurope presenter Andrew Sunshine of Film Expo Group in a touching and personal introduction.
For his part, Goldstein congratulated the assembled cinema operators across Europe for their investment in upgrades. “From the biggest screens, to state-of-the-art sound, from immersive formats to luxury seating, you are redefining the moviegoing experience, and it shows,” he said. “Together, we are reminding audiences why the big screen still matters and why it always will.”
Of course, congratulating exhibitors for making investment is a polite way of reminding them that they need to continue doing so.
Warner Bros Motion Picture Group under its current leadership of Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca currently has a good story to tell, coming off back-to-back hits A Minecraft Movie, Sinners and Final Destination: Bloodlines – three films that have collectively helped reignite the box office in Q2 following a sluggish Q1. Goldstein trumpeted a Warner Bros 28% market share among the major studios at the global box office in 2025 to date.
Like Universal with Jurassic World: Rebirth at its own slate presentation on Tuesday, Warner Bros signalled an immediate-priority title for the summer – James Gunn’s Superman. Electronic billboards in the foyer of the main auditorium where the studio slates are presented gave pride of place to Superman, and the presentation climaxed with the first half hour of the film, which begins its international rollout on July 9. David Corenswet stars alongside Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult.
Beforehand, a filmed message from DC Studios co-chairmen and co-CEOs Gunn and Peter Safran promised “a bold new era” at the comic-book IP studio. Safran also promised recent films that make the theatrical experience as vital for the coming generations as it continues to be for his and Gunn’s generation.
Animation
Earlier, a chunky segment on activities at Warner Bros Pictures Animation was introduced by its president Bill Damaschke, who joined in 2023 following earlier stints at DreamWorks Animation and Skydance Media.
Damaschke created a theatrical moment by inviting the audience to discover under their seats an envelope containing a Cat In The Hat red-and-white striped paper top hat – and attendees obliged by playing dress-up.
A filmed segment with Wicked choreographer Chris Scott explained how he developed dance moves that are the unique physical language of the Thing characters in the Dr. Seuss adaptation. The imitable moves could create viral moments on TikTok and YouTube for The Cat In The Hat if stars align for Warner Bros.
Goldstein rotated on the stage with fellow team members Danielle Bekas, Charlie Coleman, Toby Tennant and Dana Nussbaum, introducing special trailers, first looks, behind-the-scenes and other material. The slate presentation kicked off with a first look at F1 (aka F1: The Movie), and a filmed message from director Joseph Kosinski.
Next, the presentation pivoted to genre with a trio of titles from New Line Cinema. EVPs of international marketing Bekas and Coleman presented special looks at Zach Cregger’s Weapons starring Julia Garner and Josh Brolin; franchise entry The Conjuring: Last Rites (with a filmed message from stars Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson); and action sequel Mortal Kombat II.
A pairing of A-list artistic talent – director Paul Thomas Anderson and star Leonardo DiCaprio – is the focus for One Battle For Another. Warner Bros showed a scene from the film, plus a brand recent trailer.
UK-based Tennant, SVP for EMEA theatrical distribution, was the appropriate choice to introduce a behind-the-scenes look at Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Robbie and Fennell both sent video messages, and footage showcased a film that will be visually distinctive from any previous version.
Next came the “punk rock vision” of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride!, starring Christian Bale and Jessie Buckley, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Penelope Cruz and Peter Sarsgaard. That was the cue for a rock guitarist to enter the stage to perform a solo version of the Superman theme music, and then on to the presentation’s final act.
Warner Bros titles presented at CineEurope:
F1
Dir. Joseph Kosinski
Weapons
Dir. Zach Cregger
The Conjuring: Last Rites
Dir. Michael Chaves
Mortal Kombat II
Dir. Simon McQuoid
One Battle After Another
Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson
The Cat In The Hat
Dirs. Alessandro Carloni, Erica Rivinoja
Wuthering Heights
Dir. Emerald Fennell
The Bride!
Dir. Maggie Gyllenhaal
Additional titles mentioned:
The Mummy
Dir. Lee Cronin
Supergirl
Dir. Craig Gillespie
Clayface
Dir. James Watkins
Animal Friends
Dir. Peter Atencio
Flowervale Street
Dir. David Robert Mitchell
Remain
Dir. M Night Shyamalan
Dune: Part Three
Dir. Denis Villeneuve
Godzilla X Kong: Supernova
Dir. Grant Sputore
The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum
Dir. Andy Serkis
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