Hey, everyone! 2014's pretty much over, and while some are still reminiscing about the year gone past, I thought it was time to look to the future. 2015's shaping up to be a pretty interesting year, with a great line-up of superhero blockbusters, science-fiction films and comic book TV shows on the way. Rather than make a list of 'My Most Anticipated [insert x or y]', I thought I'd put together a watchlist of things I'd be checking out in the coming months. This is all stuff that I'm either really, really looking excited about, or interested enough that I'll keep my eye on it. So, without further ado, here we go.
Agent Carter
Air Date: January 6, 2015 / Creators: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely / Showrunners: Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas
Starring: Hayley Atwell, James D’Arcy, Chad Michael Murray, Enver Gjokaj, Shea Whigham
The first exciting release of 2015 focuses on Hayley Atwell's Agent Peggy Carter, continuing her story from Captain America: The First Avenger, the Agent Carter One-Shot and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I’m really looking forward to seeing Peggy work her way through S.H.I.E.L.D., particularly as the organisation is still in its early days; here’s hoping we learn a lot of the secret history behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Jurassic World
Release Date: June 12, 2015 / Director: Colin Trevorrow
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins, BD Wong, Judy Greer, Irrfan Khan
While the Jurassic Park franchise is special to a lot of people, it’s just not something I really got into. The first film is good, for what it’s worth, but since I did not see it at the time of its release, or grow up with it, I don’t have a major attachment to it. However, before anyone starts sharpening their pitchforks, I can quite happily get behind a movie where Chris Pratt rides alongside Velociraptors. What’s that? Jurassic World has that very scenario? Okay, sign me up!
The Fantastic Four
Release Date: August 7, 2015 / Director: Josh Trank
Starring: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Toby Kebbell, Reg E. Cathey, Tim Blake Nelson
The most controversial comic book movie in recent memory has already spurred countless lists of negatives against it, and while aspects of this film have confused me (hacker Doom?), I know one thing for sure: I’ll be seeing it. With Josh Trank’s Chronicle putting him on the superhero map, a part of me is afraid that going for a ‘grounded’ approach will be the film’s detriment, while another part of me thinks that it will be a fun, fresh take on the Fantastic Four. Since production wrapped a while ago, a trailer shouldn’t be too far away…
Spectre
Release Date: November 6, 2015 / Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Ralph Fiennes
Though my James Bond knowledge isn’t impressive, I found Sam Mendes’ Skyfall to be a strong exploration of the character. The director returns to pit 007 (Daniel Craig) agains the titular organisation, and while the synopsis sounds like pretty familiar spy-stuff, the line-up of actors is excellent — Léa Seydoux, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Christoph Waltz… the list goes on. Also, more of Ben Whishaw’s Q, please.
Terminator Genisys
Release Date: July 1, 2015 / Director: Alan Taylor
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jason Clarke, Jai Courtney, Matt Smith
While overall people haven't been too impressed by what they've seen from the upcoming Terminator sequel/prequel/reboot, I'm liking the idea of returning to that world. I’m really intrigued by Genisys not only revisiting sections of the first two films, but putting a spin on them; Alan Taylor is a capable director, I feel, so here’s hoping he can recapture the James Cameron magic. Arnie as the T-800 and the always awesome Emilia Clarke as Sarah Conner also stand out as positives.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Release Date: May 1, 2015 / Writer/Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson
While my love for the first Avengers film has died down, I'm confident that Joss Whedon can produce a fantastic follow-up to one of the most popular comic book movies ever. Many sequels are designed to raise the stakes, up the ante, add a tinge of darkness, and Whedon looks set to follow that playbook… with his own spin on it, of course. There's surely some incredible moments on the way, such as the Hulkbuster fight, and it'll also be a thrill to see Age of Ultron add some new players to the mix, including Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, the Vision and, of course, James Spader’s eponymous A.I.
The Flash / Arrow
Air Date: January 20, 2015 / January 21, 2015
Starring: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Rick Cosnett, Carlos Valdes, Tom Cavanagh, Jesse L. Martin / Stephen Amell, Katie Cassaday, David Ramsey, Emily Bett Rickards, Willa Holland, Colton Haynes, John Barrowman
The two best superhero shows on the air return to the CW next month, with The Flash resuming its first season and Arrow continuing Season 3. While I’m not quite caught up on Barry Allen’s super-speedy adventures, the series has been an entertaining watch, with the promise of even bigger and better things (the Rogues, time travel, more Reverse Flash) keeping me going; meanwhile, the, uh, predicament of Oliver Queen and continual threat of the League of Assassins will surely make for enthralling viewing in the new year.
And that's it for Part One! Be sure to check back tomorrow for the second half of my 2015 Watchlist. But until then, I'll leave you with a couple of questions: which of these are you most looking forward to, and what would you like to see added to the list?