From Palm Springs to Candyman, See This Week's Trailers and Posters

The world of entertainment marketing was full of excitement this week. We kicked it off by living the same day over and over with Andy Samberg, and yes, it was as funny as you might imagine. Then we got a look at the new season of Call of Duty Mobile, and it’s as action-packed as any fan would hope. The fun continued as we watched an aspiring dancer go from Broadway to a small-town dance instructor. 

Then things took a turn for the bizarre when we got a peek at a new twist on the coming-of-age story. You thought your teenage years were rough, imagine having a rare disorder that kills everyone who looks at you. Just when things started getting grim, we got the opportunity to live out a childhood fantasy of being a fighter pilot for the New Republic in Star Wars: Squadrons. Then we went back to grim and watched a marriage crumble and the apocalyptic finale of a German thriller. But the cherry on top of this week was undoubtedly the brilliant, bold, and unforgettable puppeteered teaser for Candyman. It raised the bar on imaginative ways to market entertainment properties while making a powerful statement on societal issues.

All this in one week! Gear up for excitement, as you check out some of the latest trailers and posters. 

Palm Springs  

Hulu & Neon 
Trailer Agency: Zealot 
Poster Agency: Legion Creative Group 

Imagine living the same day on repeat. That’s what happens to Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti in their new comedy Palm Springs. Post-quarantine, I think we can all find this premise much more relatable. The trailer is filled with humor, heart and good music. The poster design does a clever job of drawing out the never-ending day. See Palm Springs on July 10. 

Call of Duty: Mobile – Radioactive Agent 

Activision 
Trailer Agency: Aspect  

The trailer for the new season of Call of Duty: Mobile has arrived. It highlights new features, including the latest weapons, a Battle Royale map expansion, and new multiplayer capabilities. The sound design, graphics and vibrant musical selection set the tone of this piece. Call of Duty: Mobile – Radioactive Agent is now live.  

Feel the Beat 

Netflix 
Trailer Agency: Seismic Productions
Poster Agency: N/A

After failing to make it on Broadway, a dancer returns to her small hometown and takes a young group of dancers under her wing, hoping to lead them to the national championships. The trailer for Feel the Beat is charming, heartwarming, and funny. It’s also well-edited, and the upbeat music gives energetic life to the piece. Check out the too-cute and full-of-personality poster as well. See Feel the Beat on Jun. 19.

Looks That Kill 

Vertical Entertainment 
Trailer Agency: Aspect 

Looks That Kill, a new indie film about a teenage boy born with a rare condition that causes anyone who looks directly at his face to die, offers an interesting take on the challenges of teenage years. The trailer weaves a wide range of emotions and incorporates a good musical selection to set the tone of the piece and overall story. See Looks That Kill on June 19.

Star Wars: Squadrons 

EA 

Star Wars: Squadrons reveal trailer is here, and it was well worth the mounting anticipation and wait. In this single-player story, we get a taste of what it’s like to be a pilot near the end of the Galactic Civil War. This gameplay footage trailer is filled with fantastic visuals and remarkable sound design. It encaptures the spirit of the New Republic as they fight for freedom. Also, how exquisite is the illustration of this poster? It’s out of this world. Star Wars: Squadrons will be available on Oct. 2. 

The Nest 

IFC Films 
Trailer Agency: Mark Woollen & Associates  

The trailer for The Nest is an intense look inside the obstacles of marriage. Jude Law and Carrie Coon star as a married couple who can’t seem to stay nested in one spot, which causes aggression and tension to rise in their marriage. The sound design and beautifully crafted editing draw out the emotional mood of the story. Visit The Nest on Sept. 18.

Dark  

Netflix 
Trailer Agency: Intermission  

The third and final season of the popular German thriller Dark is upon us. The new trailer gives a look at the apocalyptic ending of the mystery. Most striking about the trailer, aside from the crisp editing, are the twisting graphics intertwined throughout. Witness the beginning of the end on June 27.

Candyman 

Universal Pictures

As if the marketing for Candyman hadn’t already blown us away, Nia DaCosta and team raised the bar on the potential inventiveness of film marketing. This special cut teaser for her upcoming film Candyman is not only a powerful political statement about institutionalized racism but goes beyond what is expected from entertainment marketing. This is one of the most imaginative and impactful pieces of entertainment advertising I’ve ever seen. The craft of the teaser is exquisite, including the haunting musical choice. Manual Cinema, a Chicago-based performance collective, did the puppetry. The score was composed by Lichens. Bravo to this creative team for raising the bar of creativity in entertainment marketing. Candyman returns Sept. 25.