Johnny Depp, Drew Barrymore, Channing Tatum tease blockbuster hopefuls at CinemaCon

Photo: Facebook Page of Transcendence

LAS VEGAS—Footage of the sci-fi drama “Transcendence” previewed at CinemaCon in Las Vegas shows an eerily convincing Johnny Depp as a terminally ill scientist turned unruly machine in the Wally Pfister film that asks: What if we could upload a human mind into a computer?

Warner Bros. was the final studio to preview its upcoming titles at the theatre exhibitor’s convention Thursday, and it ended with an impressive crew of A-listers led by Depp.

The “Transcendence” clips were packed with explosions, sentimental moments between Depp (as Will) and leading lady Rebecca Hall (as Evelyn), and striking supporting performances by Kate Mara and Paul Bettany.

Morgan Freeman, Drew Barrymore, Adam Sandler, Clint Eastwood, Melissa McCarthy, Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis were among the other stars touting their upcoming projects.

Here, a peak at the plug-fest:

_ “Jupiter Ascending,” directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski (creators of “The Matrix” trilogy) and starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis. Set in the future, the sci-fi fantasy resembles “The Fifth Element” (Sans the delicious, campy wit, at least in the trailer). Tatum, sporting guy-liner and a set of super pointy ears, is still a believable hero and love interest for Kunis, who plays the unsuspecting queen of the universe. “This is completely out of the Wachowskis’ brain type of a crazy film,” Tatum told The Associated Press before he and Kunis introduced the clip on stage. It’s set for release in July.

_ “Edge of Tomorrow,” directed by Doug Liman and starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt. Based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka novel “All You Need is Kill,” the sci-fi action epic sees Cruise and Blunt as soldiers dying repeatedly due to a time loop. Big-budget action films are customary for Cruise, but this is new highly physical territory for Blunt, whose character Rita Vrataski helps Cruise’s Lt. Col. Bill Cage change his fate. (Note: Blunt is beyond fit in this one. The definition in her arms is ridiculously impressive.) It will hit theatres in June.

_ “Godzilla,” directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Bryan Cranston, Ken Watanabe and Elizabeth Olsen. On hand to introduce the extended trailer, Edwards said he’d just finished editing the film, which looks epic in scale with impressively grand special effects, on Wednesday. It’s due May 16.

_ “Blended,” directed by Frank Coraci and starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. A very pregnant Barrymore, in a yellow dress, stepped on stage with Sandler and Coraci to promote their romantic comedy about two families who embark on a trip Africa. But before she could talk about “Blended,” she had a wipe away a few tears, which came after viewing the “Godzilla” trailer. “I am creating life and I started crying during the destruction in that trailer,” she said. “It’s going to be a huge success!” Like “Godzilla,” ”Blended“ is also due in May.

_ “Tammy,” directed by Ben Falcone and starring Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon and Allison Janney. Married couple Falcone and McCarthy wrote what looks like a hilarious road trip comedy. McCarthy plays a woman who, after getting fired from her fast food gig and finding out her husband is cheating on her, hits the road with her lush of a grandmother (Sarandon). McCarthy and Falcone introduced the film, which McCarthy said took six years to finish. “And for the first time ever,” she added, “I can now say that I’m sleeping with the director.” To be released in December.

_ “Jersey Boys,” directed by Clint Eastwood and starring John Lloyd Young, Vincent Piazza and Christopher Walken. From the wardrobe to the believable lip-syncing, this musical biography will be another Eastwood film to revel in. However, the constant practice of actors talking to the camera may get tiresome. “I noticed a sign coming into Vegas that said ‘Jersey Boys’ was the No. 1 show in Vegas,” Eastwood said. “We have a lot to live up to.” It’s set for release in June.

_ “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” directed by Peter Jackson and starring Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly and Martin Freeman. Very little was revealed about the final installment of the franchise, but on one behind the scenes clip Bloom says, “The better end,” to which Jackson replies, “The happy end.” And there are dragons. Plus this is said via voiceover: “The time is upon us when all must choose which side we are on.” ”The Hobbit“ conclusion will be in theatres in December.