CHRIS PRATT TO RECEIVE “CINEMACON® BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR AWARD”

MARVEL’S “GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY” RELEASES IN U.S. THEATERS ON 1 AUGUST, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. (20 March, 2014) – Chris Pratt will receive the “CinemaCon® Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award” at this year’s CinemaCon, it was announced today by Mitch Neuhauser, Managing Director of CinemaCon. CinemaCon, the official convention of The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), will be held 24 – 27 March, 2014, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Pratt will be presented with this special honor at the “CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards” ceremony to take place on Thursday evening, 27 March, in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Coca-Cola Company, the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon, will host the final night gala awards program.

“With stand up and take notice performances in both 'Moneyball' and 'Zero Dark Thirty' Chris Pratt is sure to stun audiences with his starring role in Marvel’s 'Guardians of the Galaxy,'” noted Neuhauser. “CinemaCon could not be more honored to present him with the 'CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award.'”

Pratt will be seen later this summer when he stars as Peter Quill in Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” releasing in U.S. theaters on 1 August, 2014. An action-packed, epic space adventure, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe. To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits—Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer. But when Quill discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand—with the galaxy’s fate in the balance.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which first appeared in comic books in Marvel Super-Heroes, Issue #18 (Jan. 1969), also stars Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, with John C. Reilly, Glenn Close as Nova Prime Rael and Benicio Del Toro as The Collector.

James Gunn is the director of the film with Kevin Feige producing and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeremy Latcham, Alan Fine and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman and James Gunn, with screenplay by James Gunn.

Pratt is best recognized for portraying Andy Dwyer on the NBC hit comedy series “Parks and Recreation.” Most recently he has lent his voice to the lead character, Emmett, in the box office blockbuster “The Lego Movie.” Other film appearances include “Delivery Man,” “Five-Year Engagement,” “Zero Darky Thirty,” “Moneyball” and “Her.”

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon will attract upwards of 5,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry –from exhibition and distribution, to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. From exclusive Hollywood product presentations highlighting a slate of upcoming films, to must-see premiere feature screenings, to the biggest stars, producers and directors, CinemaCon will help jumpstart the excitement and buzz that surrounds the summer season at the box office.

CinemaCon is delighted to have both the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its tradeshow partners. CinemaCon is also delighted to have as its official presenting sponsor, The Coca-Cola Company, one of the industry’s greatest and highly regarded and respected partners in the world of the movies.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 31,450 movie screens in all 50 states, and additional cinemas in 78 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world and hundreds of independent theatre owners, too.

Additional information on CinemaCon, the Official Convention of NATO, can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

Media Contacts:

Heather Lewandoski
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8147
hlewandoski@rogersandcowan.com

Maureen O’Connor
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8116
moconnor@rogersandcowan.com