By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --Arnold Schwarzenegger chanted with enthusiasm, "We are back! We are back!" before he spoke Wednesday about the importance of resurrecting the theatrical experience for moviegoers.
"Now it's time to get back to the big screen," Schwarzenegger told a socially distanced audience at AMC Century City 15 theater in Los Angeles.
The actor and former California governor was joined by filmmakers and major Hollywood studio executives as part of the "Big Screen is Back" initiative. Other speakers included J.J. Abrams, Maggie Q, Sam Richardson, Janicza Bravo and David Bruckner.
"If you have the movie and you don't have the theaters, you don't have nothing," Schwarzenegger said. "Yes, we've seen over the past year in the pandemic, that people watch movies on their little iPhone and iPad and put on their glasses to see what's going on there. They are missing special and visual effects and all the great stuff you usually see on the big screen."
The gathering was one of the first in-person events for the industry to showcase its biggest upcoming projects. The three-hour event also featured movie clips and trailers from Disney, Sony and other studios.
Extended footage was shown from Warner Bros.' "In the Heights," Disney's "Cruella," Universal's "F9," Paramount's "Snake Eyes" and Aretha Franklin's biopic "Respect" from MGM Studios/United Artist Releasing.
Each speaker encouraged the return to theaters as the industry moves to rebound after the pandemic created life without theaters about a year ago.
Maggie Q, star of the upcoming action film "The Protégé," talked about her excitement at seeing her work back in theaters. Bravo offered a glimpse into her film "Zola," and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige appeared in a pre-recorded message before he introduced a sizzle reel that included "Black Widow."
"We set out to craft an epic cinematic experience that is visually spectacular and totally engrossing with every inch of the frame," Feige said. "We want you to feel like you're part of the action. It's by far the best way to see a Marvel movie and any movie period."
Abrams offered an inspiring speech, saying his favorite experiences happened in places like a movie theater.
"I think we all want to be kids again," he said. "And the idea of returning to theaters and being in a big dark room with strangers, screaming and laughing, experiencing the power of that is a human natural need."
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More