Now that the end of the world didn’t happen, we have another year of quality films to look forward to. That’s right, another year of sequels, prequels and adaptations that we wish we didn’t happen.
So, with that in mind, here are my highly-anticipated films for 2013 (all release dates are taken from The Film Distributor’s Association at time of publishing):
Gangster Squad (scheduled release: 10th January)
I’ve been looking forward to this film for a while – probably because of the killer combo: it has Sean Penn and Josh Brolin (who I loved in Milk), nor the re-pairing of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone (who were fantastic in Crazy Stupid Love) and it is directed by Ruben Fleischer (the director of my favourite film in 2009, Zombieland). The Dark Knight Rises tragedy affected the publicity of the film but I hope this doesn’t deter audiences from what looks a proper quality film.
Django: Unchained (scheduled release: 18th January)
I am a huge fan of Tarantino. His films are seriously quote-worthy and his music tastes are impeccable. A step up on the Western-homage from Kill Bill: Vol. 2, he goes all out with this tale of a slave and bounty hunter team (Jamie Foxx and Christoph Waltz respectively) take on dastardly plantation owner Leonardo DiCaprio. Expect lots of gunslinger moves, ‘n’ words and the odd Mexican standoff.
Iron Man 3 (scheduled release: 26th April)
After the über-success of The Avengers/Avengers Release (whichever you prefer) and the hiring of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black taking over from Jon Favreau, needless to say we are expecting big things from this threequel. I am reserving expectations with Sir Ben Kingsley as the villain – this is the guy who was in Thunderbirds, for goodness’ sake…
The Great Gatsby (schedule release: 17th May)
After Luhrman’s love story to Australia in…ummm, Australia, we see him return to his customary flamboyant, sparkly form in his adaptation of The Great Gatsby. The original trailer sees Leonardo DiCaprio take on the lead role, with a strong supporting cast of Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire and Joel Egerton take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale.
Star Trek into Darkness (scheduled release: 17th May)
Another anticipated film. In true J.J. Abram’s style, it’s all secretive with a camera flare-heavy teaser. Just expect explosions and certain villainous monologues with man of the moment, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Man of Steel (scheduled release: 14th June)
DC has a lot to do to catch up on Marvel’s street cred and this reboot, with Christopher Nolan as producer and Watchman‘s Zack Snyder as director, is the first step to reviving the classic heroes. Initial trailers have seen Harry Cavill in a new and improved suit and Kevin Costner as Daddy Kent, and the thoughts are very un-Snyder. In other words, so far so good. If this film is as good, the long-awaited dreams of a half-decent Justice League film could become reality.
Despicable Me 2 (scheduled release: 28th June)
Despicable Me was a surprise – I admit that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much, so much so that I have the audio from the last three seconds of the below clip as my text alert:
I look forward to this sequel as it will hopefully do justice to the original film, which I still consider one of the better Dreamworks film in recent years, which leads us to my next entry…
Monsters University (scheduled release: 12th July)
After the unnecessary sequel Cars 2 and the pretty but not quite there Brave, we have the latest edition to the Pixar filmography: a prequel to 2001’s Monsters. Inc. With the banter chemistry of Billy Crystal and John Goodman being a key element in the original film, we see the two reunited as the film takes us to the two buddies in their university days (note US audiences: it’s Monsters University – not College).
The World’s End (scheduled release: 14th August)
This sounds like a more suitable film for 2012 but fans will be able to see the final instalment of Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg’s Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy. The film is about five friends who reunite to take on a legendary pub crawl, which finishes at ‘The World’s End’.
Thor 2: The Dark World (scheduled release: 30th October)
I confess: I really like Thor. I preferred it – to some extent – to Captain America and even though the story is a little predictable, it is enjoyable to watch. Along with Iron Man 3, fingers crossed that Thor 2 has a slightly better story to keep up the Marvel momentum.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (schedule release: 22nd November)
Now that Twilight is finally over (thank God), we can now fully enjoy the Suzanne Collins adaptations without the continual comparisons between this and other ‘young adult’ novels.
After Jennifer Lawrence’s critically praised performance as the much more likeable heroine, Katniss Everdean, let’s see if this series can survive the ‘second film/sequel’ curse (for those who are not sure, it is when the sequel is highly anticipated but ends up not being as good as the original film).
Anchorman 2 (scheduled release: 20th December)
Anchorman is probably the most quoted film this decade. From cinnamon-scented hair and loud noises, it never fails to make me laugh until I have tears in my eyes. I don’t want to be all excited and giddy about this sequel but….screw it, I am looking forward to it – just to see if it is as quote worthy to the original film.
Thanks for reading – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Musings of Guitargalchina 