A good year for blockbusters
Fairfax’s James Croot picks 12 bigbudget movies that you should mark your calendars for in 2017.
Logan (March 2)
Hugh Jackman’s latest outing as X-man’s Wolverine looks both poignant and powerful. Early footage suggests it’s based on the comic book Old Man Logan, which focuses on his and an aged Charles Xavier’s (Patrick Stewart) attempts to protect a young girl who is being hunted by sinister forces. Could be the best X-men movie yet.
The Lego Batman Movie (March 30)
The breakout star of The Lego Movie, Will Arnett’s Batman’s solo spin-off finally offers a mostly family friendly take on Gotham’s favourite vigilante. This time he has to learn to share his Bat-space with young ward Robin and battle The Joker. The impressive vocal cast also includes Michael Cena, Zach Galifianakis, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes.
Beauty and the Beast (March 30)
While the live-action versions of fellow Disney animated classics Cinderella and The Jungle Book have been stonking successes, is it too soon for what looks like a pretty close replica to the 1991 Oscar-nominated musical? Fortunately the casting looks spot on with Emma Watson as Belle, Sir Ian Mckellen voicing Cogsworth, and Luke Evans as the pompous Gaston.
Fast and Furious 8 (April 13)
The once seemingly dead franchise that keeps going from strength to strength steps up another gear with the addition of Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren into the high-octane mix. Rumour has it that the action this time will be set in New York, but most interest will centre on how the franchise gets on without the late Paul Walker.
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (April 25)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe carries on its merry way with the return of cinema’s breakout stars of 2014. Groot, Gamora, Drax and Rocket are this time helping in the search for Peter Quill’s true parentage. Nathan Fillion and Kurt Russell are new additions to the cast.
Alien: Covenant (May 18)
Ridley Scott attempts to connect the dots between facehuggers old and new with this Australasianshot adventure, which sees a new group of colonists thinking they’ve discovered paradise – a planet inhabited by a single synthetic. Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, and Danny Mcbride join the expected carnage.
War for the Planet of the Apes (July 13)
As the 21st century ‘‘reimagining‘‘ of the much-loved 1960s and 1970s action series continues, a nation of genetically evolved apes (led by Andy Serkis‘ Caesar) become embroiled in a battle with an army of humans. Once again our own Weta Digital’s skill with motion capture will take centre stage.
Dunkirk (July 20)
Almost three years after Interstellar, Christopher Nolan returns to the director’s chair with this World War II drama focused on the eponymous battle. Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, and Kenneth Branagh are among the actors suiting up for battle.
Blade Runner 2049 (October 5)
Little is known about this sequel to Ridley Scott’s near 35-year-old scifi cult classic, but the cast and crew sound exciting. Harrison Ford returns as Rick Deckard, joined by the likes of Ryan Gosling, Jared Leto and Robin Wright. Arrival‘s Denis Villeneuve is the man behind the camera.
Thor: Ragnarok (October 26)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets a Kiwi infusion, with Taika Waititi behind the camera and Karl Urban and Sam Neill joining series regulars like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Mark Ruffalo for this latest Asgard adventure. Likely to set up the two-part Avengers’ blockbuster Infinity War.
Star Wars: Episode VIII (December 14)
Naturally security has been tighter than a Death Star for information on the latest instalment of the 40-year-old recently revived space opera. All we can tell you at this stage is expect more Luke, Looper‘s Rian Johnson is directing and new cast additions include Benecio del Toro and Laura Dern.
Paddington 2 (December 26)
Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson are among those joining the fun for the second outing for the Marmalade-loving bear from darkest Peru. This time the plot revolves around Paddington picking up odd jobs so he can buy a present for his aunt.