On the Cinematic Horizon

There are a lot of reasons to get excited about the future of movies, and here are a dirty dozen that are in pre-production, or shrouded in secrecy. Some have recently been announced, and some have been on the cusp of being a reality for some time now. Either way, here are films that could become a reality as soon as late 2016, but likely will roll into 2017 or 2018.

Avatar 2 – With the unprecedented success of Avatar in 2009, it was inevitable that there would be sequels. However, the caveat is that it has to be as revolutionary and mind-blowing as the original, which James Cameron undoubtedly will oblige. His vision had plans for a trilogy, but that has expanded to a quadrilogy, and it is entirely possible that they will be filmed back-to-back-to-back as a cost-saving measure. Long criticized (and raved) for his meticulous attention to detail, once Avatars 2, 3, 4 are finally unveiled to the public, it will be a multi-billion dollar boon for 20th Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment. Well worth the eight year wait, Avatar 2 is rumored to take place entirely underwater with some state of the art filmmaking techniques. Cameron does sequels better than anyone else (Aliens, Terminator 2), so expect Avatar 2 to build on the magic of the original, and surpass it. Scheduled for Christmas of 2017.

Pinocchio – The dark and macabre version of the already twisted children’s story has found a director in Paul Thomas Anderson, one of my personal favorites. Robert Downey Jr. has been interested in it for years, and it looks like he will finally play Gepetto in what might be a return to real acting after skating by on his natural wit and charm as Iron Man for the past seven years (and counting). Pinocchio could introduce a new generation to a beloved story, but the results might not be the same. Likewise, those of us who found the story fascinating as a child will likely get a reality check that might change the way we look at lying. And wooden dolls. And doll-makers.

Blood Meridian – There have been rumors of an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s 1985 brilliant work of literature for years. It has struggled to get off the ground despite some very impressive names attached to helm the project (Ridley Scott, Todd Field). The story, characters, and setting would be incredible if done right. Maybe Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu?

Ready Player One – I can’t imagine a cooler book from the past few years to see in movie form, and Steven Spielberg is returning to the science-fiction genre none too soon. He’s been fishing for Oscars his last few attempts, but action/adventure is where he thrives, and he picked a ripe story for the picking. Ready Player One is my favorite book from the past few years, written by Ernest Cline, and it has been begging for the Hollywood treatment. The big question is; who will play Wade Watts?

The Circle – a very poignant and timely book for the generation of social media overkill. A girl gets her first job out of college at the ubiquitous Google/Facebook/Twitter/Whateverelse.com is out there, and finds her life taken over by her ties with the company. Emma Watson and Tom Hanks will star. Think a Stanley Kubrick version of the Social Network.

Robopocalypse – Another great idea of an adaptation being translated to the screen by Drew Goddard (WWZ, Cabin in the Woods, Prometheus, The Martian, Sinister Six). Think Terminator without the time travel or redundant character depictions. It could be a cool movie with the right director and direction.

Sinatra – Rumors of Leonardo DiCaprio teaming up (again) with Martin Scorcese. Could be a fantastic biopic, but I’m wondering how Leo’s singing voice sounds. Although, singing Sinatra isn’t as challenging as some others might be. Think Walk the Line or Ray meets Ocean’s Eleven. Only Better. Much better.

The Creed of Violence – This is another great book by Boston Tehran about an assassin and a cop with a connection that only one of them know about in Nineteenth Century Mexico. Todd Field is attached to direct, and rumors of Christian Bale or Leonardo DiCaprio as the cop make it a strong draw in both box office and critical potential.

Untitled Alien Project – Okay, the story goes that Neil Blomkampt posted some fan artwork somewhere about his affinity for the Alien universe (which I strongly share), and 20th Century Fox took notice. He is attached to an idea where Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn (Yes!) will return for something of a re-imagining of Alien 3. Basically it will pick up where Aliens left off. I can’t think of a better writer/director than Blomkampt for this project (except Cameron), so the franchise is in good hands despite the recent botching by dueling the Aliens with Predators.

Whatever Christopher Nolan is doing next – Nothing is announced. He’s making his money as producer in the DC Justice League, but hopefully he’ll get back behind the camera soon. Interstellar was a disappointment, but Inception and the Dark Knight trilogy were amazing.

Blade Runner 2 – If we wait too much longer, Harrison Ford won’t be around (eek!), but I really like what Denis Villaneuve has done recently (Prisoners, Enemy), and this fall’s Sicario will be better than people might even project, putting Villaneuve on the map as one of the premier directors out there. Oh yes, Ryan Gosling is attached as well.

Kill Bill 3 – Quentin Tarantino is in a class alone. Not that his films are better, but they are distinctly Tarantino, which is entertaining, which is why we watch movies. His next project will bring Uma Thurman back as “The Bride” and will likely capitulate one of the more underrated franchises of the 21st Century. His films bring excitement back to the cinema, which is where they are most definitely best viewed.