Movies & shakers
OFFICE LINE-UP’S A REEL SIZZLER
Mission Impossible – Fallout (July 26)
Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt in the sixth instalment of the thriller franchise, which also stars Simon Pegg and Alec Baldwin. Hunt faces another race against time to save the world (well, what else would you expect?) in his first adventure to be filmed in IMAX 3D. Yet what really feels impossible is that it’s now 22 years since Tom’s first mission as Hunt.
Christopher Robin (Aug 7)
This Disney feelgood film stars Ewan McGregor as a Christopher Robin who has grown up and lost his imagination – until his friends from Hundred Acre Wood return to bring some magic into his life.
Skyscraper (July 12)
He’s the world’s biggest film star, so who else but Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would you trust to rescue you from a burning high-rise? He plays a skyscraper security expert who ends up framed for a fire in world’s tallest building, battling to clear his name and rescue his family trapped inside. It’s Die Hard meets Towering Inferno with The Rock and 21st century special effects. Expectations are high.
Ant-Man and The Wasp (Aug 3)
In 2015, Ant-Man’s Thomas the Tank Engine fight scene was Marvel at its best. Now, Paul Rudd is back as the tiny superhero with a new female sidekick – The Wasp, played by Lost’s Evangeline Lily. But with film fans of a certain age, it’s a certain Michelle Pfeiffer, making her Marvel debut as original Wasp Janet van Dyne, who will turn out to be this film’s queen bee.
Incredibles 2 (July 13)
After the shock ending of Avengers: Infinity War, here’s a Disney superhero film that should leave you with a smile on your face. The follow-up to Pixar’s 2004 hit sees Elastigirl, voiced by Holly Hunter, on a mission to save the world while Mr Incredible is miffed about staying at home with the kids. Samuel L Jackson and Isabella Rossellini also star while Pixar favourite Brad Bird returns as director.
Overboard (June 22)
This remake of the 1987 original updates it by swapping the gender roles as Anna Faris takes revenge on playboy Eugenio Derbez – and it’s great to see Hollywood dipping its toe back in the romcom waters.
BUMS on seats is the Name of the Game at cinemas in the summer.
So can follow-up Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again make as much Money, Money, Money as Mamma Mia! did in 2008? Or will it meet its Waterloo in rivals including Ocean’s 8?
Here’s our round-up of the films vying to be the winner who takes it all… Tag (June 29) Comedy-wise, no recent offerings have captured the magic of 2009’s The Hangover. But the latest to try is Tag, a romp based on the real-life story of pals who have played the same game of tag for 30 years. Once you get over the smug frat boy concept, it’s a clever premise to bring together some great comedy talents, including Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm and The Hangover’s Ed Helms. Ocean’s 8 (June 18) Move over George Clooney and Brad Pitt, it’s time for the women to have a roll of the dice. In the year of #Metoo, Hollywood is taking a punt on an all-female spin-off for the franchise... and it’s a gamble that is expected to pay off big time. It took $41.5million in its opening weekend in the US – more than any of the three Clooney films. Danny Ocean’s sister Debbie, played by Sandra Bullock, comes up with a plan for her own heist at Anna Wintour’s Met Gala. The Oscar winner is joined by Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonhham-Carter, Sarah Paulson and Rihanna. Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (June 20) This one should make some Money, Money, Money. Ten years after the first film, Amanda Seyfried’s Sophie is now pregnant. And she wants to know how her mum (Meryl Streep, right), met each of her possible dads, played by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgard.