We live in a generation where comic book adaptations are becoming more and more frequent as the years go by. This year was no exception with the likes of Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man and the rather disappointing Fantastic 4 or Fant4stic or whatever you want to call it, but it's best we forget that last one. Now with 2015 coming to an end very soon it is time to look forward to next years array of super hero films, and oh boy are there a lot. 2016 will see the likes of Batman, Superman, Spiderman and the X-men all appearing on the big screen in a range of different films from both DC and Marvel. The latter has been dominating the super hero genre for the past couple of years while DC has been rather quiet since Man of Steel in 2013, so it will be interesting seeing new films from both sides hitting theaters over the course of the year. Here are the super hero films we have to look forward to in the coming year.
Deadpool
Release Date: February 12 2016.
What's it about?
Special Forces operative Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) takes part in a dangerous experiment that leaves him horribly disfigured but grants him special abilities such as accelerated healing powers and the power to break the fourth wall.
Why you should be excited:
Deadpool is one of Marvel's mot popular characters, his comics being infamous for their graphic violence and dark humour, so it was rather disappointing seeing how he was portrayed in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, Ryan Reynolds has been given a second chance to shine as a more faithful version of the merc with a mouth. Along with the film's R-rating it's guaranteed to be off-the-wall and extremely graphic so if you liked films like Kick-Ass then you should be excited for this. The trailer can be viewed here.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice
Release Date: March 25 2016.
What's it about?
After the events of Man of Steel, the vigilante Batman (Ben Affleck) aka billionaire Bruce Wayne grows suspicious of the mysterious Kryptonian (Henry Cavill). This leads to a clash of the titans between the two before they ultimately unite to face a greater enemy.
Why you should be excited:
I mean come on, who hasn't dreamed of seeing Batman and Superman team up on the big screen? They are arguably two of DC's greatest characters and seeing them together onscreen is sure to be monumental. Along with them are fellow heroes such as Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) and Aquaman (Jason Moama) as well as the criminal mastermind Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg). Many are skeptical however due to Man of Steel's poor reception and the casting choice of Ben Affleck as Batman. Personally I think Affleck is a great choice and I would advise people to have faith in director Zack Snyder, the man who brought Watchmen to the big screen. The trailer can be viewed here.
Captain America: Civil War
Release Date: May 6 2016.
What's it about?
Loosely based on the iconic Civil War story arc from the comics, the film will focus on a division between the superheroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some of them side with Captain America (Chris Evans) while others side with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and judging from the recently released trailer the division has something to do with former Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan).
Why you should be excited:
The Russo brothers bring us a follow up to their fantastic sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier and by the looks of things it will be Marvels biggest and most ambitious film yet. Not only will it see the return of many Avengers from over the years but will also see the introduction of characters such as Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) making it one of the largest ensemble cast that the MCU has seen. Although it is only a loose adaptation of Civil War, it will continue in with the whole Bucky story arc from the previous film that many of us are excited to see. It will also see Cap facing off against his former ally Tony Stark along with his half of the divided team, it will be interesting to see whose loyalties lie where and the roles played by each character in the film. The new trailer for the film can be seen here.
X-Men: Apocalypse
Release Date: May 27 2016.
What's it about?
The film will continue from where Days of Future Past left off, taking place in the 80's and picking up on the story of the young mutants. It will see the team face off against the ancient mutant known as Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac), one of the deadliest threats they have ever faced.
Why you should be excited:
The X-Men franchise is a turbulent one, the first two being great while The Last Stand and Origins being complete garbage. However the franchise was redeemed several years ago with the prequel X-Men: First Class and last year with the sequel/prequel Days of Future Past so it is safe to say that it has found itself again with director Bryan Singer back on board. If it's anything like it's predecessors, Apocalypse may be the biggest film of the franchise to date. Seeing the return of familiar faces like Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) along with more younger counterparts such as Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) and Nightcrawler (Kodi Smith-McPhee), the film is already beginning to link the old with the new. However, it is Isaac's performance as Apocalypse that I am most excited for. An extremely diverse actor, Isaac has starred in films such as Inside Llewyn Davis and Ex-Machina and will no doubt make an excellent Apocalypse. No official trailer has been released yet but above is what Apocalypse will look like in the film along with Fassbender as Magneto and Olivia Munn as Psylocke.
Suicide Squad
Release Date: August 5 2016.
What's it about?
The film will follow Task Force X, a team comprised of various supervillains who are forced to undergo suicide missions for the government. Under the supervision of Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and through the use of shock collars, the team are kept in order. Although their mission is unclear at the moment it is thought to have something to do with the Joker (Jared Leto) and Enchantress (Cara Delavigne).
Why you should be excited:
Not only will the film act as a big screen debut for characters such as Deadshot (Will Smith) and the fan favourite Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) but it will also mark the first cinematic appearance of the Joker since Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning performance in The Dark Knight. Leto's Marilyn Manson-esque Joker had me skeptical at first but after seeing the trailer, hearing stories from the set and just looking at Leto as an actor he is sure to give us a thrilling performance. Director David Ayer has also proved in last year's Fury that he can handle an ensemble cast with no problem and his gritty looking style for the film has me putting a lot of faith in him. The film will without a doubt open tons of doors for the DC Cinematic Universe and its cast and director almost guarantee a fun and gritty film. The trailer can be seen here.
Gambit
Release Date: October 7 2016 (possibly during 2017)
What's it about?
Not much is known about the plot at the moment but it has been described as "a heist movie and a sexy thriller" by producer Simon Kinberg. It will follow the eponymous mutant who has the ability to convert and accelerate kinetic energy among other abilities.
Why you should be excited:
To be honest I was a bit disappointed to hear that Taylor Kitsch would not be reprising his role as the roguish Cajun as he was one of the only things I enjoyed about X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I was not sure what to think when I heard about Channing Tatum being cast but after seeing him appear in the Jump Street films it is clear that he has both the charm and the wit to portray Gambit. However, not much has been heard about the film as it is still in pre-production and has been rumoured to be pushed back to some time in 2017. However, because Gambit is such a popular character it is only right to anticipate what's going on with the film. Hopefully it won't be another Origins anyway.
Doctor Strange
Release Date: November 4 2016.
What's it about?
After his career is destroyed when he loses the use of his hands, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is taken under the wing of an ancient sorcerer who trains him to become the sorcerer supreme and defend the world against evil.
Why you should be excited:
Much like Guardians of the Galaxy last year, Doctor Strange will delve into a different are of the Marvel Universe, this time that of the supernatural. The films cast has been revealed recently with Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, Tilda Swinton as his mentor the Ancient One, Chiwetel Ejiofor as the villainous Baron Mordo and Mads Mikkelsen and Rachel McAdams in unspecified roles. With a cast like that and Scott Derrickson (The Excorcism of Emily Rose & Sinister) as director, it's bound to be a good one and will open a new area of the MCU. There is no trailer yet but Strange and Mordo can be seen in the set image above.
As you can see, next year will be an eventful one for comic book movies from both DC and Marvel. It is evident that these films will set the foundations for the DC Cinematic Universe, shatter the Marvel Cinematic Universe and finally bring a decent Deadpool adaptation to the big screen. It is certainly looking like one of the most exciting years in the history of the superhero film and if all of the previously mentioned films manage to live up to peoples expectations then it will be a year to remember.
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