Paramount Declares Comedies Are Back With New ‘Naked Gun' Footage; Trots Out Extended ‘Running Man' Look
With his usual flair, Paramount President of International Theatrical Distribution, Mark Viane, kicked off the studio's CineEurope presentation today with a hysterical video that reimagined him as the head of 'The Paramount Squad,' a reference to the upcoming Naked Gun reboot. Sporting a white wig, Viane was joined by other Par execs including the EMEA team while the mini film also nodded to upcoming studio titles including Smurfs and the latest Spongebob movie, among others.
After the video and as he took the stage here, replete in boxers and skirt à la Liam Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr in The Naked Gun, Viane exclaimed, 'Comedies are back!'
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The Naked Gun starts global rollout on July 30, getting to domestic theaters on August 1. Neeson introduced an exclusive look at the movie via a video message and cheekily said to exhibitors, 'remember to book my movie — or I am coming for you.'
During the presentation, Viane also announced that Paramount will co-produce with Universal Meet the Parents 4, and will handle international distribution.
There was also extended Smurfs footage, including the opening sequence, that was introduced by Rihanna who voices Smurfette. The movie kicks off July 16 internationally and goes domestic on July 18.
Moving away from comedy and targeting the underserved female audience, a first look at Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You was introduced via video by the cast including Allison Williams, Dave Franco, Mckenna Grace and Mason Thames. The story is set against a tragic event that unlocks a series of secrets, lies and regrets. A fall 2025 release is on deck.
Also showing up for the first time for exhibitors was Primate, a horror movie about a domesticated chimp gone bonkers. That's swinging into cinemas in 2026.
Viane closed out the Par presentation with new extended footage from The Running Man. Glenn Powell, Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo star in the Stephen King chase thriller adaptation from director Edgar Wright. Set in a dystopian America (in the year 2025), the story centers on Ben Richards (Powell), a desperate man who participates in violent reality show in order to win enough money to revive his gravely ill daughter. Powell, Brolin and Domingo sent a video to Barcelona to talk up the film and introduce the footage. Release is on November 7 this year.
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