With the new year comes a new bout of cinematic headlines that fans and critics alike have been itching to see for years on end. Although 2017 has offered a number of both winners and flops, 2018 ushers in a new wave of prequels, sequels and psychedelic stand-alones that are promising nothing short of an exciting year in film. Here are the some of the most exciting new movies to watch out for in 2018.
Avengers: Infinity War
The aftermath of Captain America: Civil War, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2, Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok all race towards the jaw-clenching, heart-pounding, anxiety-provoking crossover event that brings the original Avengers team together with new forces in order to defeat the Mad Titan Thanos. Thirty-three confirmed characters are already on the roster for this intergalactic war for the Infinity Stones as old and new faces join forces. Brie Larson is officially introduced, as it’s rumored that she will make a cameo as Captain Marvel. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have said that there will be fatalities but declined to specify who will be lost. The first trailer was already released and trafficked millions of views as the film’s release grows closer and closer. Marvel released a statement, claiming that Infinity War is the most expensive film the studio has produced. Avengers: Infinity War will take theaters on May 4th, 2018.
Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman returns to the big screen as King T’Challa, the Black Panther, as Black Panther prepares for its official release in early 2018. The newcomer was featured and introduced during Captain America: Civil War, but this origin story will explore Wakanda and the heir’s beginnings as he takes on the mantle. The trailer is stunning and the casting is beyond stellar as Michael B. Jordan is given a shot at redemption from his last appearance as Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four. But let’s be frank: reboots of the Fantastic Four should stop being made. Jordan will take on the role as Erik Killmonger, otherwise known as the Golden Jaguar, who influences the Black Panther as he is given the kingdom. Said to have the same feel as X-Men: First Class, Black Panther will not only pack a heavy background story, will be rich with the history of the people of Wakanda. The revolution will be live on January 16, 2018.
Deadpool 2
Thought that the merc with a mouth couldn’t get any worse? He’s back, and he’s ready to shock audiences with each wildly controversial, hysterical, or unhinged joke that tumbles out of his mouth. But this time, he’s not alone. Deadpool 2 not only brings Ryan Reynold’s disfiguration back, but we’ll be meeting Nathan Summers (Cable) and Domino along the way as Josh Brolin and Zazie Beetz join the cast. Of course, favorites such as Blind Al (Leslie Uggams,) Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand,) and Colossus (Stefan Kapicic) will be starring alongside Weasel (T.J. Miller,) Copycat (Morena Baccarin,) and Black Tom Cassidy (Jack Kesy). This ruthlessly unfiltered, uncensored sequel is looking more and more promising as teasers are dropped and more information is released in anticipation of the nearing summer premiere. Deadpool 2 will be in theaters on July 1, 2018.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Return to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, the newest installment of the Fantastic Beasts series takes us back to New York in the Roaring 20’s. As magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) heads back to the United States, he’ll join forces again with the Goldstein sisters (Katherine Waterson and Alison Sodul,) “no-maj” or “muggle” David Kowalski (David Folger), and Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller.) Although there’s been controversy over J.K. Rowling’s choice of casting Johnny Depp as major antagonist Gellert Grindelwald, the debut of Jude Law as a young Albus Dumbledore calls for redemption. The Americanized wizarding community continues to expand as more magical characters are introduced, such as Leta Lestrange (Zoe Kravitz), linking back to the original Death Eater heirs, and Theseus Scamander (Callum Turner.) With the spin-off series unfolding, another chapter of the international magic sensation will leave audiences spellbound on November 18, 2018.
A Wrinkle in Time
Prepare for the most psychedelic, vibrant, and intriguing book adaptation yet. The original sci-fi American fantasy novel A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle was published in 1962 and will hit theaters on March 9, 2018. With $103,000,000 for the budget and an all-star supporting cast consisting of major blockbuster stars like Chris Pine, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis, and Reese Witherspoon, Disney takes us on an incredible journey that defies the laws of logic and physics. The trailer itself is simply captivating as the unimaginable is brought to life. A Wrinkle In Time is simply visually gorgeous and is certain to astound audiences.
Ready Player One
This new film brings to life virtual reality in the shambling remains of Cleveland, Ohio, as protagonist Wade Watts/Parzival (Tye Sheridan) takes refuge in the video game alter-reality of the Oasis. Stunning CGI paints hair-raising scenes of the generated world. Director Steven Spielberg delivers seamlessly beautiful footage of first-person racing games, and of course, the Iron Giant. Based off of the novel Ready Player One, this dystopian society depicts one most stereotypical. Despite the cliche setting, the plot of this envisioned film is certainly worth the excitement. Ready Player One will be released on March 30, 2018. Are you ready?
X-Men: Dark Phoenix
The X-Men return to the big screen for the thirteenth time, and welcome back fan favorites with director Simon Kinberg’s release of another addition to the revered trilogy. Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) faces the peak of her own power as she becomes the Dark Phoenix, and the heartbreaking tale of Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) continues to unfold. The famous pair is accompanied by returning mutants such as Kurt “Nightcrawler” Wagner (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Scott “Cyclops” Summer (Tye Sheridan), Peter “Quicksilver” Maximoff (Evan Peters), Hank “Beast” McCoy (Nicholas Hoult), and Ororo “Storm” Munroe (Alexandra Shipp). There are rumors that other mutants may make appearances. This installation allows comic book fans to delve deeper into the background, history, and relationships of the team. Dark Phoenix will hit theaters on November 2, 2018.
Venom
The Spider-Man franchise takes a darker turn as Venom reboots the vicious symbiote. Serving as an origin story, Marvel Studios and Sony bring back Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) as he’s riddled with turmoil once again and more in detail. Though this is a Marvel-based film, Venom will refrain from taking place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will be Sony’s first Marvel-branded production. R-Rated and not holding anything back, Venom targets the invented genre of horror-hero.This symbiote-centric piece swings into cinemas on October 5, 2018.
A Quiet Place
Featuring The Office heartthrob John Krasinski and his wife Emily Blunt, this new thriller thinks outside of the box. Pursued by beasts that can detect any noise made, the dialogue is delivered in American Sign Language and the trailers lack any audio. This horror film is sure to chill audiences as they are brought into the nonverbal survival at any cost of one family. The trailer is haunting, and this chilling piece is will be released on April 6, 2018.
Mary Poppins Returns
Brought to audiences by the man behind Hamilton: An American Musical, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Mary Poppins Returns is sure to delight audiences everywhere. Disney reboots the nostalgic film in a way just as vibrant and magical as the first. This cast is promising as we not only see Miranda as a charming chimney sweeper, but Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, and Dick van Dyke also return to the big screen on Christmas Day, 2018.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animating the favorite web-slinger Miles Morales (Mahershala Ali), the new “Spider-Verse” series will be brought to the silver screen in 2018. Marvel focuses on the diversity of their heroes, allowing this as well being one of the first animated films brought to cinema from the comic book powerhouse. At the moment, there isn’t much known about the film, but it will be coming in 2018.
Jurrasic World: Fallen Kingdom
As if we couldn’t learn from the first Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom follows the aftermath of the revival and downfall of the Jurassic World dinosaur park. Chris Pratt takes up his role and claims responsibility for the predictable death and destruction that isn’t a plot line shy of the number of prequels. Jeff Goldblum makes his return to the prehistoric-futuristic amusement park and seems to be the only one that isn’t speaking nonsense (as far as the trailers go). Whether the series is beloved or gone on too long, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is to release June 22, 2018.
The Incredibles II
The wait is over. Disney-Pixar will release its highly-anticipated Incredibles II as a generation of fans are rewarded generously for their patience. After sixteen years, the franchise returns as the Parr family is welcomed back, alongside the iconic “Frozone,” voiced by Samuel L. Jackson. Though there has been over a decade of a gap between films, the aging of the characters is stagnant and seems to pick up where audiences were left in 2004. Immense detail has obviously been put into the production, and the quality of the animation is to exceed the prequel tremendously. The Incredibles return on June 15, 2018.
Bumblebee
Though Michael Bay has stepped back from directing, he stays onboard to produce the next installment into the Transformers series. Contrary to the string of disappointing Transformers films that had priorly flopped at the box office, Bumblebee may be a bit more promising if the unnecessary plot of a teenager coming of age is turned a blind eye to. Peter Cullen returns to voice Optimus Prime, as wrestler John Cena joins the cast beside him, and Mark Wahlberg is to be excluded from the spin-off. As the film is set in the 80’s era, period touches such as Bumblebee’s Volkswagen form and the explanation of missing voice-box are to be inserted as plot devices. This year-end Paramount production may just be the saving grace to the Transformers as Autobots roll out into theaters on December 21, 2018.
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