Michael B. Jordan Unveils First Look at THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR at CinemaCon as Jon Batiste Joins as Composer
Michael B. Jordan took the stage at CinemaCon to give audiences their first taste of The Thomas Crown Affair, and he’s cooking up something slick, stylish, and dangerous. Alongside the footage reveal, Amazon MGM confirmed that Jon Batiste will handle the film’s score, adding a layer of musical prestige to the project.
Batiste opened the studio’s presentation with a live piano performance of “The Windmills of Your Mind,” the Oscar-winning song from the 1968 original. It was a classy way to connect the legacy of the franchise to this new version, while setting the tone for what Jordan is aiming to deliver.
Jordan, who directs and stars, was joined on stage by Adria Arjona, who plays an insurance investigator sharp enough to challenge his charming art thief. Their dynamic is at the heart of the story, continuing the franchise tradition of a high-stakes battle of wits mixed with undeniable chemistry.
The film follows in the footsteps of the 1968 version starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, as well as the 1999 remake led by Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo, both of which centered on a wealthy thief matching minds with a determined investigator. This new take keeps that DNA but looks to push it further.
The footage shown at CinemaCon leaned heavily into that cat-and-mouse tension. Set against a backdrop of grand museums, sleek cityscapes, and European castles, the film promises globe-trotting spectacle. Jordan’s Crown isn’t just smooth, he’s athletic too, with shots of him gliding through the air on wires and pulling off elaborate heists.
Jordan explained his approach to the character, saying he wanted to evolve the iconic thief while staying true to what made him compelling: “the style, the rebellion, but given him a real mission. So I needed somebody who could keep him on his toes. An actress who can portray strength and vulnerability. She understands his game but fall in love with him.”
This time, the story carries a more personal edge. “Revenge is a work of art.” That mission is tied to a powerful figure played by Kenneth Branagh, with the warning: “You are standing on a mountain of things other people need.”
The cast surrounding Jordan and Arjona is packed with talent, including Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, Pilou Asbæk, and Aiysha Hart.
The screenplay comes from Drew Pearce and Jason Hall, based on a story by Alan R. Trustman, who wrote the original film.
The Thomas Crown Affair is set to hit theaters on March 5, 2027, and I’m looking forward to watching it!