IT’S THE ANNUAL event where the big studios show off all their newest and shiniest wares. It is where franchises are launched, sequels are announced, footage is unveiled, big stars present and studio bosses dress up in silly costumes. Currently held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the gathering formerly known as ShoWest (it was renamed in 2011, presumably to be more like Comic-Con) is organised by NATO. No, not the international military alliance, silly: the National Association of Theatre Owners.
What footage got the biggest reaction?
The king (or rather emperor) of this year’s Con was Gladiator II, which Sir Ridley Scott, via video message, claimed was “possibly even more extraordinary than the first”. The reportedly thrilling footage shown backed this bold claim up, with scenes of gladiators fighting monkeys, a rhino and — nom nom — sharks.