2012
DREDD [September 21st]
After the abysmal 1995 film which starred Sylvester Stallone as the iconic 2000AD character, Judge Dredd is finally getting another shot at big screen glory with Pete Travis' DREDD. After a screening at the San Diego Comic-Con last month, the reaction to the remake has been a positive one from fans and critics alike. With Karl Urban (Star Trek) in the leading role, and the promise that he won’t take the helmet off, this might just be the film that fans have been waiting for. Screenwriter Alex Garland has already revealed that he has ideas for two more films, so its fate now lies at the box office.
Skyfall [November 9th]
James Bond finally returns to the big screen in this November's Skyfall (although if you live in the UK, you'll be able to see it in October). Daniel Craig (Cowboys and Aliens) returns as 007, while Sam Mendes (Road To Perdition) will helm the film. A trailer recently released for the Quantum of Solace follow-up promises plenty of action and a strong storyline - a device containing the identity of all of MI6's undercover agents is stolen under M's nose - shedding any doubt that Mendes isn't the right man for the job.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Joruney [December 14th]
Peter Jackson returns to Middle-Earth, this time adapting J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit. Originally set to be split into just two films, it was revealed earlier this month that there will now be THREE instalments. Seems like an awful lot for a reasonably short book, but the director reportedly had enough footage in order to stretch it out a little further and it’s thought that he may even delve into some of Tolkein’s other books in order to bridge the gap between these films and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
2013
G.I. Joe: Retaliation [March 29th]
Originally set to be released earlier this year on June 29th, G.I. Joe: Retaliation was pushed back 2013 in order to allow for a 3D conversion and reshoots. While this came as a massive disappointment to fans, the fact that it looks so much better than 2009’s G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra should itself be a huge relief. With new cast members such as Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. The Rock) and Adrianne Palicki, not to mention the introduction of many fan favourite characters, it may just end up being worth the wait.
Iron Man 3 [May 3rd]
Will this be Robert Downey Jr.’s final Iron Man movie? It’s the last one he’s contracted to do with Marvel Studios (bet they’re regretting that cameo in The Incredible Hulk now), but after the success of The Avengers (which featured both the actor and character at the forefront of marketing) it’s hard to imagine that this will truly be his last outing as the Armoured Avenger. The threequel is helmed by Shane Black and sees Iron Man take on both the threat of Extremis and the Mandarin, while Rhodey dons the Iron Patriot suit for reasons currently unknown.
Star Trek 2 [May 17th]
The currently untitled Star Trek sequel is still shrouded in secrecy, and we have yet to see so much as an official still or piece of footage from J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated sequel. With all of the cast members from the last film set to return, and a few notable additions, fans have an awful lot to look forward to. However, perhaps most exciting is the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock) as the main villain of the sequel. There have been a lot of rumours and talk about who he’ll be playing, but for now, it remains yet another mystery!
Man of Steel [June 14th]
He’s baaaack! After the underwhelming mess that was Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, it looks as if Zack Snyder will be the man who finally does the iconic DC character justice. With the promise of plenty of action, an incredible cast and a storyline which will be less of a throwback to the classic Superman movies and more like what fans love from the comics, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see this reboot end up becoming THE best comic book movie of 2013. The San Diego Comic-Con footage and trailer certainly have everyone excited…
Kick-Ass 2 [June 28th]
It’s finally happening! Even the main cast members have revealed that they didn’t think they would ever be back for a sequel to Matthew Vaughn’s 2010 hit Kick-Ass (based on the series by writer Mark Millar and artist John Romita Jr.). Well, director Jeff Wadlow (Never Back Down) has now stepped in to take over the reins of the sequel which will be based upon both the Kick-Ass 2 and Hit-Girl series’. Whether or not Wadlow will be able to match up to Vaughn’s take on the characters remains to be seen, but he certainly seems to be the right choice from what we’ve so far heard.
R.I.P.D. [July 19th]
Ryan Reynolds takes another crack at a comic book movie after 2011’s disappointing Green Lantern and it certainly looks promising. The actor will star alongside Jeff Bridges as a recently slain cop who joins a deceased team of police officers who work for the Rest In Peace Department (hence R.I.P.D.). It’s a very interesting premise, and with RED director Robert Schwentke taking the reins, as well as the likes of Kevin Bacon (Super), Mary Louise Parker (Red) and Robert Knepper (Prison Break) all starring, this might just be the surprise hit of next year!
The Wolverine [July 26th]
There’s no two ways about it. X-Men Origins: Wolverine was an epic disappointment. Between the fact that they butchered the origin story of the character and threw in a bunch of mutant cameos which still haunt the nightmares of many a comic book lover (“Deadpool”…) it was not the solo movie that Wolverine deserved. Well, James Mangold's take on the character may just make up for that. A standalone film, it looks set to take Logan to Japan, while classic bad guys such as Viper and Silver Samurai all look set to be introduced.
300: Battle of Artemisia [August 2nd]
With Zack Snyder currently hard at work on the post production of Man of Steel, 300: Battle of Artemisia will be directed by Noam Murro (Smart People), a fairly unconventional choice. The cast has been filling out nicely over the past few months, with Rodrigo Santoro (300) returning as Xerxes and Eva Green (Casino Royale) set to play Artemisia. The film wil apparently serve as both a prequel AND sequel to 300, but there’s not an awful lot of details currently available about either the plot or tone we should expect.
RED 2 [August 2nd]
With a new director in the form of Dean Parisot (Justified, The Good Wife), RED 2 has added even more actors to its impressive ensemble cast as everyone from Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal) to Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First Avenger) and Byung-hun Lee (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) has signed up to join the returning cast members. This instalment will see the retired C.I.A. Agents travelling across Europe to take on an all-new threat and will hopefully improve upon the so-so first movie.
RoboCop [August 9th]
Jose Padhila (The Elite Squad) will helm the RoboCop remake, with Joel Kinnaman (The Killing) set to play Alex Murphy. The cast is fleshed out with some incredible actors, including Hugh Laurie (House), Samuel L. Jackson (Marvel’s The Avengers) and Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight). Wow. Recent reports from someone who claims to have read the screenplay reveal some pretty major changes to the classic film which may upset some hardcore fans, but it sounds like a refreshing direction for a reimagining of the franchise.
2 Guns [August 16th]
Based on the BOOM! Studios comic book by Steven Grant and Mat Santolouco, 2 Guns will see Denzel Washington (Safe House) and Mark Wahlberg (The Fighter) as a DEA agent and undercover Naval Intelligence officer who have been tasked with investigating one another, only to find they have been set up by the mob - the very organization the two men believe they have been stealing money from - to steal money from the C.I.A. A very interesting premise and definitely one to watch out for. It will be directed by Contraband helmer Baltasar Kormákur.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For [October 4th]
For a while, it looked as if this was never going to happen. However, work on the sequel to Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s Sin City is finally moving ahead and it will adapt Miller’s second book in the series. So, what do we know? Well, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba and Rosario Dawsen are all expected to reprise their roles and Rachel Weisz (The Bourne Legacy) is said to be the front runner for the role of ‘Ana’. Last year, it was reported that Miller has created two original new stories for the sequel (perhaps explaining how ‘Marv’ will return) so this promises to please fans of the series.
Thor: The Dark World [November 8th]
With a new director in the form of Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) and the promise that the God of Thunder will explore other realms and take part in epic battles, it’s hard to think of a reason to not look forward to the sequel. Fans were very pleased when it was confirmed that Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who) had signed up to play Malekith The Accursed, and perhaps most exiting is the fact that Thor: The Dark World will surely follow-up from the events of Marvel’s The Avengers, shedding some light on where exactly the relationship between Thor and Loki goes from here.
The Hobbit: There And Back Again [December 13th]
Peter Jackson returns to Middle-Earth, this time adapting J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit. Originally set to be split into just two films, it was revealed earlier this month that there will now be THREE instalments. Seems like an awful lot for a reasonably short book, but the director reportedly had enough footage in order to stretch it out a little further and it’s thought that he may even delve into some of Tolkein’s other books in order to bridge the gap between these films and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
47 Ronin [December 25th]
47 Ronin has been plagued by delays, but it now looks set to finally be released next Christmas. The fantasy/adventure/action mash-up stars Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) as Kai, an outcast who joins a group of Samurai led by Kuranosuke Oishi (Sanada), who seek vengeance on Lord Kira (Asano), who killed their master and banished the group. The Samurai then embark on a journey whose challenges would defeat most warriors. Directed by newcomer Carl Rinsch, and shot in 3D, it’s hard to say whether or not this one will end up being a hit or miss.
2014
Noah [March 28th]
Darren Aronofsky’s (The Wrestler) biblical epic (it retells the tale of ‘Noah’s Ark’) has assembled an extremely impressive cast with the likes of Russell Crowe (Man of Steel), Anthony Hopkins (Thor) and Emma Watson (Harry Potter) all signed up for major roles in the film. In order to get a green light for the project, Aronofsky teamed with artist Nico Henrichon to create a comic book of the story, and if that is anything to go by, Noah promises to be one of the most interesting and visually stunning movies of 2014.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier [April 4th]
It’s not exactly a surprise that the crowd at the San Diego Comic-Con erupted in cheers when the title of the Captain America: The First Avenger sequel was announced at the event last month. That’s right, Sebastian Stan will return as The Winter Soldier! The choice of a directing duo in the form of the Russo Brothers (You Me And Dupree, Community) is understandably worrying many, although there are still plenty of other reasons to be excited, including the recent news that Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau) has signed up to play The Falcon.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 [May 2nd]
The Amazing Spider-Man is a film which desperately needs a sequel (thank the many plot holes for that). However, while it does have the release date above and writers in the form of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the future of the franchise is still unclear due to the fact that it is unknown whether or not Marc Webb will return to helm the follow-up. However, after the box office success of the first instalment, it’s clear that Sony will want to get production moving on the sequel as soon as possible.
Ninja Turtles [May 16th]
Ninja Turtles has caused a lot of controversy among fans, but most of that can be attributed to the fact that Michael Bay is producing and many of the hardcore TMNT fans see him as an easy target to pin the blame on for the new direction this reboot will be taking. Set to be directed by Jonathan Liebesman (Wrath of the Titans), the four protagonists will neither be teenagers or mutants (hence the shorter title) which has understandably led to the backlash mentioned above. As of right now, a lot of people are finding it hard to get TOO excited for this one!
X-Men: Days of Future Past [July 18th]
We don’t know an awful lot about the sequel to X-Men: First Class at this point. Actually, we know absolutely nothing! What we do know is that the main cast members will return and the film will be helmed by the brilliant Matthew Vaughn. The title seems to indicate that elements from the classic “Days of Future Past” storyline will be included in the film, although it’s worth remembering that many assumed the “First Class” title meant that we would see the original five mutants and the reality was very, very far from that.
Guardians of the Galaxy [August 1st]
Just a couple of days ago, it was revealed that James Gunn (Slither, Super) is in late stage talks to helm Guardians of the Galaxy for Marvel Studios. He certainly seems like a good choice to take on Star-Lord and co., while the fact that both Gunn and Joss Whedon have worked with Nathan Fillion in the past has already led to fan speculation that we may just see the Castle actor with a starring role in the film. This is Marvel’s first full foray into their cosmic movie universe and it opens up an awful lot of doors from here. It should be very exciting indeed…
The Hobbit Pt.3 [Summer]
Peter Jackson returns to Middle-Earth, this time adapting J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit. Originally set to be split into just two films, it was revealed earlier this month that there will now be THREE instalments. Seems like an awful lot for a reasonably short book, but the director reportedly had enough footage in order to stretch it out a little further and it’s thought that he may even delve into some of Tolkein’s other books in order to bridge the gap between these films and Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
2015
Untitled Marvel's The Avengers Sequel [May 1st]
Joss Whedon has signed an exclusive contract with Marvel Studios to play a creative role in all of their upcoming solo films, culminating in a sequel to Marvel’s The Avengers in 2015 which he will once again both write and direct. It’s hard to imagine that anyone is anything other than ecstatic about this news, and it should be interesting to see which direction he next takes Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in. There’s not even so much as a single rumour at this point, although it seems fair to say that Thanos might just play a role in his plans if that after-credits scene is anything to go by.
In Development
Justice League
After the recent news that The Gangster Squad scribe has penned a script which will put all of DC’s iconic superheroes in one film, it was also recently revealed that Warner Bros. have approached Ben Affleck with an offer to direct. A 2015 release is rumoured, but far from confirmed.
Doctor Strange
Of all the Marvel Studios movies on this list, Doctor Strange may just be the furthest away. It’s far more likely that the Master of the Mystic Arts will in fact make up “Phase Three” of their plans.
Ant-Man
Finally confirmed at the San Diego Comic-Con when director Edgar Wright unveiled a logo and test footage, Ant-Man is finally close to becoming a reality. It’s thought that he will begin working on the film as soon as he wraps up World’s End with a planned release of possibly 2014.
Black Panther
It was thought that Black Panther may have been one of Marvel Studios’ planned 2014 movies, especially after an extremely reliable source revealed that the studio were moving ahead on a big screen adaptation. That obviously hasn’t happened and so the fate of T’Challa remains unclear…
Hancock 2
It’s been four years since the release of Hancock and all we’ve heard since then is that a sequel to the film which starred Will Smith and Charlize Theron depends on everyone’s schedules. Will a studio really want to give Peter Berg another blockbuster after the failure of Battleship?
Lobo
Brad Peyton (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) has signed up to write and direct Lobo for Warner Bros, and Dwayne Johnson – a.k.a. The Rock – has recently confirmed that he is in talks to reunite with the director as the DC Comics character created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen.
Wanted 2
The first movie wasn’t particularly faithful to the comic book series by Mark Millar and J. G. Jones, but director Timur Bekmambetov is expected to return in order to continue exploring the world he created in the first movie. Will stars James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie return? It seems unlikely...
Supercrooks
It’s unclear when exactly Supercrooks will go into production, but Nacho Vigalondo is attached to direct (he co-plotted the comic book and has written the screenplay with Mark Millar) and so here’s hoping we’ll see the “Oceans 11 Meet’s X-Men” series hit the big screen very soon.
Nemesis
Despite Tony Scott (now deceased) at one point being attached to direct the adaptation of the Mark Millar/Steve McNiven comic book series, it was thought that work had come to a halt. However, Millar recently revealed he has been in meetings with Fox,and Joe Carnahan has been rumoured to direct.
Masters of the Universe
It was revealed last month that John M. Chu (G.I. Joe: Retaliation) is in talks to direct a live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe for Paramount Pictures. With Chu still hard at work on the G.I. Joe reshoots and 3D conversion, this one is still probably a good few years away.
Deadpool
Last we heard, Tim Miller was attached to direct the long-talked about big screen adaptation of Deadpool, while Ryan Reynolds was on board to play Wade Wilson. A leaked screenplay featured Colossus and plenty of fan pleasing nods, but we sadly haven’t heard anything for a while.