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2012: YEAR OF THE BLOCKBUSTER |
Written by Matthew Pejkovic
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With box office numbers declining at an increasing rate, 2012 looks certain to turn the tide with a release of several high profile movies sure to bring in the dough and entertain the masses.
Here are 7 films that will make 2012 the Year of the Blockbuster.
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THE AVENGERS |
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© Walt Disney Pictures |
CAST
ROBERT DOWNEY JR., JEREMY RENNER, MARK RUFFALO, CHRIS EVANS, SCARLETT JOHANSON, CHRIS HEMSWORTH, SAMUEL L. JACKSON
DIRECTED BY
JOSS WHEDON
Poised to be the biggest superhero movie to hit the multiplexes, The Avengers is the culmination of a carefully laid out plan where Earth’s mightiest heroes – Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and more – will converge in the one film to fight the greatest threat to face mankind in the mischievious Norse god Loki (Tom Hiddlesworth).
With fanboy favourite Joss Whedon (Serenity) directing a packed cast which includes Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans reprising their famed superhero roles, look for The Avengers to bring in the big bucks come May next year.
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BOND 23 |
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© Sony Pictures |
CAST
DANIEL CRAIG, RALPH FIENNES, JAVIER BARDEM, NAOMIE HARRIS, RHYS IFANS, JUDI HARRIS
DIRECTED BY
SAM MENDES
After what seemed like a never ending series of setbacks (bankruptcy and sale of studio MGM set back development 8-9 months), the as yet untitled “Bond 23” is on track to once again rule the competition at the box office with Oscar winner Sam Mendes directing.
Daniel Craig will return as super spy James Bond, this time taking on the formidable one-two punch of Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem who will play villains. Naomie Harris will also co-star, with many believing she will play an updated version of the beloved Miss Moneypenny.
“Bond 23” will be released in November 2012, a godsend for Aston Martin driving, vodka martini drinking Bond junkies everywhere.
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THE HUNGER GAMES |
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© Roadshow Pictures |
CAST
JENNIFER LAWRENCE, JOSH HUTCHERSON, LIAM HEMSWORTH, ELIZABETH BANKS, STANLEY TUCCI, WOODY HARRELSON, DONALD SUTHERLAND
DIRECTED BY
GARY ROSS
With the Harry Potter series done and Twilight on the verge of completion, The Hunger Games is poised to be the next young-adult centric franchise to rule the roost.
Based on the popular novel of the same name, the film will star Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who survives a post-apocalyptic world by entering a televised content where contestants must fight to the death in a dangerous outdoor arena.
Sure to be PG friendly thriller for tweens everywhere, look for Hunger Games to saturate multiplexes next May.
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THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN |
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© Sony Pictures |
CAST
ANDREW GARFIELD, EMMA STONE, RYS IFANS, SALLY FIELD, MARTIN SHEEN
DIRECTED BY
MARC WEBB
Rebooting a franchise is never easy, especially one as fresh as the Spider-Man series.
Wisely Sony have brought together a talented cast led by current “it” actors Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, who are sure to draw crowds in a new era of web swinging adventures which will see Spider-Man (Garfield) take on the monstrous Lizard (Rhys Ifans), while dealing with his relationship with Gwen Stacy (Stone).
Hip director Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer) will direct. The Amazing Spider-Man drops in July 2012.
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THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY |
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© Warner Bros. Pictures |
CAST
MARTIN FREEMAN, IAN McKELLAN, BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH, LUKE EVANS, EVANGELINE LILLY, JAMES NESBITT, RICHARD ARMITAGE
DIRECTED BY
PETER JACKSON
What a rocky road The Hobbit has treaded! After dealing with the financial woes of its studio MGM, losing long attached director Guilermo Del Toro, and having to deal with union troubles in New Zealand, the prequel to the Lord of the Rings is on track, with part one The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ready for release in December 2012.
LOTR director Peter Jackson returns behind the lens, with many familiar faces (Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis) joining Martin Freeman as the adventure seeking Bilbo Baggins as he deals with dwarfs, giants, sorcerers and dragons.
If the Lord of the Rings is any indication, look for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to be huge come December next year.
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TWILIGHT: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 |
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© Hoyts Distribution |
CAST
ROBERT PATTINSON, KRISTEN STEWART, TAYLOR LAUTNER, ANNA KENDRICK, DAKOTA FANNING, MICHAEL SHEEN
DIRECTED BY
BILL CONDON
The second part of Breaking Dawn and last release in the Twilight saga promises to be the blockbuster event of 2012, with Twi-hards everywhere gearing up for the birth of Bella (Kristen Stewart) and Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) daughter.
Much tween friendly horror and romance is expected, although many are guessing just how director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) will present that birth sequence without risking the series’ usual PG-13 rating. Yet if the last Harry Potter... was any indication, expect a very big gross no matter the rating in November 2012.
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THE DARK KNIGHT RISES |
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© Warner Bros. Pictures |
CAST
CHRISTIAN BALE, ANNE HATHAWAY, TOM HARDY, MARION COTILLARD, JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT, GARY OLDMAN, MORGAN FREEMAN, MICHAEL CAINE
DIRECTED BY
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN
The last Batman film to feature director Christopher Nolan and star Christian Bale (well, that’s at least what they told us), The Dark Knight Rises has the difficult task of trying to follow up on the universally adored money maker The Dark Knight, but if the teaser trailer is any indication it may just live up to expectations.
Plot details are sketchy, but what is certain is that Batman will have his hands full with sexy thief Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and freakish adversary Bane (Tom Hardy) running rampant in Gotham City, while Batman/Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) struggles with his role as protector of Gotham.
Set photos have kept fans on edge on what to expect in The Dark Knight Rises, but if Nolan’s track record is anything to go by expect high quality entertainment next July.
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