Upcoming Blockbusters
You Must See in 2017
By Mikhail Lecaros
After our downright depressing list of 2017’s disappointments, here’s our list of upcoming blockbusters that we’re hoping will redeem 2017!
GEOSTORM
(Opens October 18)
As the producer/writer behind summer favorites such as Independence Day, The Patriot, and Universal Soldier, Dean Devlin’s is now trying his hand at directing. After years of letting partner Roland Emmerich handle directing duties, Devlin takes the big chair in this gloriously insane story of weather control satellites gone berserk. Left with no other options, scientist Jake Lawson (Gerard Butler, 300, Olympus Has Fallen) no choice but to blast off into space to try and save the world.
BLADE RUNNER 2049
(Opens October 6)
Before you run off screaming from this latest attempt to reboot/continue a beloved Ridley Scott franchise (You can rant all you want about Alien Covenant, though), you can rest assured in the fact that he’s only producing this one. The director for this follow up to the 1982 classic is Denis Villeneuve, himself no stranger to sci-fi explorations of identity and morality, having previously helmed The Arrival. Adding considerable clout to Blade Runner 2049 is returning star Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones), joined here by Ryan Gosling (La La Land), Jared Leto, Dave Bautista (SPECTRE), and Robin Wright (The Princess Bride, Wonder Woman).
READY PLAYER ONE
(Opens December 13)
Steven Spielberg returns to the realm of the blockbuster genre he helped create with an 80’s nostalgia-laden adaptation of New York Times Bestseller Ready Player One. Set in a dystopian future where the youth are obsessed with digital adventures in the virtual world of the OASIS. When it is announced that famed billionaire James Halliday’s vast fortune will go to whoever can decipher a series of clues rooted in classic 80s pop culture, gamers all over the world head into the OASIS to try and claim the prize. The trailer for this is awesomely retro, with more geeky references than you can shake a stick at, including Back to the Future’s DeLorean, The Iron Giant, and Nightmare on Elm Street’s Freddie Kreuger, to name a few. If the film is anywhere near as fun as implied, this could be one hell of a ride.
THOR RAGNAROK
(Opens November 3)
However disappointed worldwide audiences may have been by Thor: The Dark World’s journey into excess (especially when considering the largely enjoyable first Thor movie), Ragnarok looks set to be an unapologetically fun romp. Even Thor himself, still portrayed by Chris Hemsworth (In the Heart of the Sea), seems less stiff – probably as a result of hanging out with the Avengers – as he butts heads with stepbrother Loki (Crimson Peak’s Tom Hiddleston, back in his signature role). This time, Thor is exiled to an alien world presided over by the Grandmaster (Jurassic Park’s Jeff Goldblum) following the villainous machinations of Hela (the ethereal Cate Blanchett, in an amazing headpiece). With the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo, Now You See Me) having shown up in the trailer and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, TV’s Sherlock) reportedly joining in the action, Ragnarok looks set to make up for the sins of Thor’s last sequel.
Speaking of old favorites who let us down and now seem primed to redeem themselves…
THE FOREIGNER
(Opens October 13)
As much as we love Jackie Chan as a fish-out-of-water-who-can-use-everything-in-a-room-to-beat-bad-guys-senseless, the guy is pushing 64. Thus, it is definitely refreshing to see him stepping out of his comfort zone in a way Western audiences haven’t really seen before. In The Foreigner (based on a novel with the somewhat racist title of “The Chinaman”), Chan plays a father out for vengeance following the death of his daughter in a terrorist bombing. The target of his crusade is former 007 Pierce Brosnan, whom he believes knows the identity of the bombers. Hard-hitting action, drama, and Jackie Chan in full Taken mode? Hell and yes.
KINGSMAN THE GOLDEN CIRCLE
(Opens September 20)
To be perfectly honest, Mark Millar’s Kingsman comic book wasn’t very good. Which made it all the more mind-blowing when 2014’s Kingsman movie was released: Directed by Matthew Vaughn (X-Men: First Class, Kick-Ass), the film was a tongue-in cheek, ultraviolent take on old school spy films that managed to turn quintessential English nice guy Colin Firth into a quintessential British superspy. The sequel features a returning Firth and Taron Egerton, while adding Halle Berry (X-Men), Julianne Moore (Chloe), and Channing Tatum (Magic Mike) for more espionage shenanigans!
STAR WARS EPISODE VIII: THE LAST JEDI
(Opens December 15)
Helmed by Rian Johnson (Looper), The Last Jedi will continue the adventures of The Force Awakens’ Rey, Finn, and Poe, as they struggle against the ruthless forces of the evil Kylo Ren (Adam Driver, TV’s Girls). With the original Star Wars celebrating its 40th anniversary, and fan favorite character Princess Leia appearing for the final time following actress Carrie Fisher’s (When Harry Met Sally) passing, this is one release that should appeal to diehards and casual fans alike. And finally, we’ll find out just what the heck Luke Skywalker’s (Mark Hamill) been up to since 1983.
JUSTICE LEAGUE
(Opens November 16)
Mired in reshoots (under Avengers helmer Joss Whedon), conspiracy theories, and no end of controversy (Henry Cavill has a mustache! Horrors!), the highly anticipated Justice League movie will doubtlessly be a hit as audiences flock to see if the fuss was worth it. As for us, we just want to see Aquaman (Game of Thrones’ Jason Momoa) skydives while using an unfortunate minion of evil as a surfboard.
Now that’s badass.
What’s your most anticipated movie of 2017? Tell us below!
