Hollywood studios laid out their upcoming slate at CinemaCon 2026, with major franchise updates, casting surprises and first looks at highly anticipated films.
Among the biggest announcements, Robert Downey Jr. is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe—this time not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. The casting marks a significant shift for the actor within the superhero franchise.
Franchises dominate studio slate
Paramount Pictures confirmed that Top Gun 3 is officially in development, with Tom Cruise expected to reprise his role following the success of Top Gun: Maverick.
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Meanwhile, Warner Bros. unveiled early footage from Dune: Part Three, continuing the large-scale sci-fi saga that has become one of the studio’s flagship properties.
The event also highlighted Hollywood’s continued focus on established intellectual properties, with a new live-action Street Fighter film announced, alongside a sequel to the cult comedy Spaceballs.
Star power and fresh projects
Johnny Depp appeared to introduce his soon-to-be-released movie called Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, marking a return to major studio-backed projects.
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Across presentations, studios leaned heavily on franchise extensions, sequels and recognisable characters, underscoring a strategy focused on bankable names and global audience appeal.
CinemaCon, one of the film industry’s most significant annual events, serves as a platform for studios to showcase upcoming projects to exhibitors and industry insiders. This year’s announcements suggest a continued emphasis on large-scale productions, established franchises and theatrical experiences.
