CinemaCon to studios: Bring on your big guns

Corrections & clarifications: An earlier version of this report gave the incorrect date for the 'Spy' screening at CinemaCon. The full film will be shown Tuesday.

It's time for studios to show off what they've got.

CinemaCon, the four-day convention sponsored by the National Association of Theatre Owners that kicks off Monday in Las Vegas, allows exhibitors to see firsthand what studios are bringing to the table this summer.

And there's nothing shy about the revue.

"The studios are going to show off their product Magic Mike-style," says Exhibitor Relations analyst Jeff Bock. "The biggest film time of the year is right around the corner. If these films excite the exhibitors, they're going to pass that enthusiasm onto the fan base. That's what this is all about."

Arnold Schwarzenegger will talk up Terminator: Genisys, and the Fantastic Four superheroes will assemble. San Andreas will begin to send out tremors. And there will be inevitable surprises.

"There's no question this is going to be the best box office summer and year of all time," says Dave Karger, chief correspondent for Fandango.com. (The box office is already up nearly 7% from last year at $2.9 billion, according to Rentrak.) "With Furious 7 and Avengers: Age of Ultron stepping up, the studios want to keep the cheerleading going."

Here are five expected highlights from CinemaCon 2015:

Will 'Pitch 2' be perfect? Having boosted buzz with a new clip at last Sunday's MTV Movie Awards, Universal opens the conference Monday night with director Elizabeth Banks and a screening of the entire film.

The studio won't say whether cast members will take to song or share any other details. But it's a big push for the rare female-driven comedy franchise.

'Spy' comes into the heat. Melissa McCarthy has pulled out from promoting her CIA caper (another secret mission?) at the industry event, but director Paul Feig will show the full film Tuesday. Stars Jason Statham, Jude Law and 50 Cent will speak Thursday at Fox's presentation; the same night, Rose Byrne will be feted as female star of the year.

"Spy had a fantastic premiere at South By Southwest film festival," says Karger. "Can it keep the momentum going in this next big screening?"

Sony faces the music. Sony will come face-to-face with theater owners for the first time officially after last year's debacle with North Korea comedy The Interview, which ended up with a mostly independent theater/video on demand release.

Exhibitors expressed displeasure over the mangled rollout. Sony has new leadership and a slate of fresh films that include Adam Sandler's Pixels and Robert Zemeckis' The Walk.

"Relations soured last year," says Bock. "Sony wants to put on a bold new face."

'Inside Out' finally comes out. The first Pixar film in two years will be unveiled in its entirety at CinemaCon. Director Pete Docter's story will give an animated look into a young girl's mind — it's already sparking synapses in the industry with its pedigree brand and intriguing concept.

"The advance buzz is very positive," says Karger. "That's one a lot of people are going to look forward to."

Thanks for that January hit, Clint. The conference will honor Clint Eastwood, the 84-year-old director and actor, who is still riding high off his box office smash American Sniper, with a luncheon tribute Wednesday.

"It's a chance for theater owners to say thanks to Clint in person for all he's done for them in his career," says Mitch Neuhauser, CinemaCon managing director.