Hollywood says 'the big screen is back' to rally movie-goers

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood movie studios on Wednesday promised a summer of high-octane car chases, epic explosions and edge-of-your-seat scares to lure crowds back to cinemas after they were devastated by extended closures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Repeating the slogan "the big screen is back," actors, directors and executives previewed upcoming films in an industry-wide effort to promote movie-going as vaccinations increase and safety restrictions ease. "Just being back in the theater again feels so powerfully good," "Star Wars" director J.J. Abrams said, standing in front of a giant screen at an AMC Entertainment theater in Los Angeles.