Sequels/prequels, remakes, comic book adaptations — next summer’s release schedule looks much the same as it has for several years running. Here’s to a great 2011 movie summer.
Thor
Another summer, another summer movie season kicked off by a Marvel comic book adaptation. This time it’s the hammer-wielding Thor, starring Australian hunk Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder and directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
The Pirates franchise was running on fumes with 2007’s extremely disappointing At World’s End. But then the pic still made more than $300M, so the temptation to make another sequel was irresistible. Perhaps with the addition of Penelope Cruz and 3-D, the fourth time will be a charm
The Hangover 2
The Hangover is the highest-grossing R-rated comedy in movie history so a sequel was a certainty, though there are so many unanswered questions: Will Heather Graham return? Or Ken Jeong (the hilariously profane Mr. Chow)? And where will it take place? Vegas is out (been there, done that). Thailand too, and apparently so is Mexico.
X-Men: First Class
This Marvel comic book adaptation is a prequel to the first three X-Men movies. Fans can only hope it will be as fun to watch as the drama involved in making it, with Bryan Singer jettisoned as the director (much to some people’s pleasure) in favor of Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass), and Vaughn having to rewrite part of the script after seeing Inception.
Fast Five
The Fifth movie in the Fast and Furious series returns Vin Diesel and Paul Walker but adds Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (sorry, it’s ReelzChannel editorial policy to forever insert “The Rock” in between “Dwayne” and “Johnson”). Best we can tell, his most recent contract requires that he star only in movies containing “fast” or Faster in the title.
Green Lantern
Another comic book adaptation, this time from the DC universe, featuring a power ring–wearing superhero played by Ryan Reynolds. Like X-Men: First Class, the pic has been in “development hell” for years, leaving fans wondering if all the off-screen drama and waiting will be worth it. Warner Brothers is betting “yes” since plans for a sequel are already in the works.
Transformers 3
Director Michael Bay and star Shia LaBeouf have both acknowledged the crappiness of Transformers 2 and promised Transformers 3 will be better. While that bar is set pretty low, they’ll have to do it without the services of Megan Fox, who was unceremoniously dropped from the series in favor of 23-year-old Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Captain America: the First Avenger
This superhero pic focuses on the early days of the Marvel Universe, when sickly Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into Nazi-fighting Super Soldier Captain America.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
After Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 1 opens on Friday, November 19, Potter fans will be forced to wait nearly eight months to see the conclusion of the long-running series. That will be painful, but probably not as painful as the withdrawal star Daniel Radcliffe is suffering from.
It’s gonna be a fun summer!!!!
Filed under: Entertainment Tagged: Box Office, Captain America: The First Avenger, Fast Five, Green Lantern, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Thor, Transformers 3, X-Men: First Class
