Footage from 'Gladiator 2' was met with an enthusiastic thumbs up at CinemaCon, an annual gathering at which Hollywood studios showcase their upcoming titles for movie theater owners and managers from around the world. Photo: VALERIE MACON / AFPParamount Pictures unveiled gory first-look footage from"Gladiator 2" to movie theater bosses at Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas on Thursday, raising cheers even as the studio and big-screen industry face uncertain times.
Paramount -- one of Hollywood's oldest studios -- faces a turbulent future, with its parent company having entered exclusive merger talks earlier this month with Skydance, a media company founded by the billionaire Ellison family.
Promotional marble statues for"Gladiator 2" had adorned the casino floors of Caesars Palace, the Ancient Rome-themed hotel where CinemaCon is being held.