Tis the season for blockbusters
From Boss Baby to Baywatch, there’s much to see at the cinema in the next few months, writes James Croot.
This week’s double hit of Beauty and the Beast and Ghost in the Shell also marks the start of the traditional Hollywood blockbuster season. Starting earlier each year, this year’s crop of expensive Cgidominated creations, animated adventures, sequels and reboots features the return of Captain Jack Sparrow, Lightning Mcqueen and Dominic Toretto. Fairfax picks out some of the big-budget flicks we are most looking forward to over the next four months.
The Lego Batman Movie (April 6)
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.
Fate of the Furious (April 12)
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 will be set in New York, but most interest will centre on how the franchise gets on without the late Paul Walker.
The Boss Baby (April 13)
Alec Baldwin voices the title character in this animated adventure about a suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby who pairs up with his 7-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the chief executive of Puppy Co. Other members of the voice cast include Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel and Tobey Maguire.
Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 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 11)
Ridley Scott attempts to connect the dots between face huggers 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.
King Arthur (May 18)
Sherlock Holmes‘ Guy Ritchie directs this latest take on the legendary British King. Sons of Anarchy‘s Charlie Hunnam is the man wielding the sword.
John Wick 2 (May 18)
Only coming to the big screen in New Zealand after an appeal by Kiwi fans, Keanu Reeves reprises his role as a take-no-prisoners former hitman. This time around, John Wick’s return to the underworld to repay a debt sees him uncover the news that there’s a massive bounty on his head.
The Circle (May 25)
Emma Watson teams up with Tom Hanks for this sci-fi thriller about a woman who lands a dream job at a powerful tech company, only to uncover a nefarious agenda that will affect the lives of her friends, family and humanity. It was also Bill Paxton’s final film role.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (May 25)
When Johnny Depp wasn’t battling Australian officialdom, he was making this fifth instalment of the action-adventure franchise. This time, his Jack Sparrow is searching for Poseidon’s trident, while trying to avoid the attentions of Javier Bardem’s Captain Salazar.
Wonder Woman (June 1)
DC’S Amazon princess finally gets the big-screen treatment in this Batman vs Superman prequel which sees her leaving her island home to explore the world. Chris Pine and Robin Wright join Gal Gadot for the ensuing action.
Baywatch (June 1)
The 1990s surf-lifesaving soap gets the 21 Jump St treatment as Zac Efron and Dwayne Johnson team up for a comedic take on the David Hasselhoff-starring TV series. Rumour is that both The Hoff and Pamela Anderson will appear.
Rough Night (June 15)
Scarlett Johansson attempts to reinvent herself in this Bridesmaids-esque black comedy about a bachelorette party that goes pear-shaped when a male stripper winds up dead. Zoe Kravitz, Demi Moore and Ghostbusters‘ Kate Mckinnon costar.
Despicable Me 3 (June 29)
This third outing for Gru and his girls sees the emergence of the former megalomaniac’s twin brother Dru. South Park’s Trey Parker is set to play the movie’s big bad – Balthazar Bratt, a former child star obsessed with the character he played in the 1980s.
Spider Man: Homecoming (July 6)
Following his introduction in last year’s Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker attempts to balance his life in high school with his career as the webslinging superhero. Expect Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark to at least make an appearance.
War of 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) battle an army of humans. Once again, Weta Digital’s skill with motion capture will take centre stage.
The Dark Tower (July 27)
Idris Elba teams up with Matthew Mcconaughey for this Stephen King-penned horror about a gunslinger who roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the titular tower. He hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world.