Now that 2014 is all but said and done, it’s time to look forward. It’s the moment to shrug off the skin of our 2014 self and, like a snake, slither into something a little more sparkly. The history book for the year has been written and the ink is drying; it’s time for something new. And so, like a distracted toddler, we look into 2015, forgetting that the past year ever even existed, dismissing its highs and lows with an angry swipe of the hand. When it comes to film, there is a lot to talk about and, instead of dilly dallying, we must jump directly in and see what the next year has to offer us. Without further adieu, the anticipated films of 2015…
Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens
Kicking things off with an almighty bang, the father of modern sci-fi announced that he will be releasing the next chapter of the Star Wars series in 2015. Cue mass hysteria. It’s possible that, like Prometheus and Interstellar,the sheer amount of media coverage projected towards Star Wars Episode VII will be its downfall. Only time will tell. Set around 30 years after Return of the Jedi, the new episode will feature a trio of protagonists, caught up in a galactic battle, alongside a few familiar faces. There’s a long way to go, however; with official sources announcing the film’s release date as December the 18th 2015, there’s going to be a lot more build up to come. Considering the public interest focused towards the film at this moment in time, it’s hard to imagine how some fans are going to survive for another year. But then, there’s always something else to distract us in the meantime. Speaking of distractions…
…Jurassic World
If Spielberg’s Jurassic Park series has taught us anything, it’s that the only thing better than dinosaurs on screen is 3D dinosaurs on film. Jurassic World is the latest in the franchise’s series, reviving the dinosaur theme park of earlier models. This time, however, it has worked! In light of this, the park’s scientists have become rather smug, taking it upon themselves to dabble in a little genetic modification, dinosaur style. You can guess what comes next. Unlike other rejuvenated franchises, the film has been met with a lot of negative criticism, highlighted for its dismissal of a number of scientific discoveries and new paleontological knowledge. It’s tricky water; whilst accuracy is important, it’s also imperative to remember that the film is made for entertainment purposes. Let the audience be the judge.
Minions
Moving into a place decidedly sillier, the Despicable Me spinoff Minions is finally fated for release this summer. Focusing on the beloved characters from the Despicable Me films, Minions seems finally to be giving fans what they want, focusing on the yellow critters for an entire feature length. Considering the vignettes in the Despicable Me films, it’s hard to see how the minions can get any better. With an entire film dedicated to their exploits, however, it’s more than likely that the creators won’t disappoint.
Superman v. Batman: Dawn of Justice
You can’t have a year without a massive superhero release and 2015 looks like it’s going to be bigger than any before. In an attempt to topple the cinematic iron grip of the Marvel franchise, DC Comics have pitted two of their best loved characters against each other, in what could be the biggest film fight of all time. Based on The Dark Night Returns comic, the film has Christopher Nolan as executive producer. If Nolan has anything to do with it, it’s going to be a good’un. Introducing Batman to a world in which Superman reigns supreme, it seems likely that heads will roll.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron
On the flipside of the superhero releases next year, The Avengers returns with the next instalment of the franchise. Marvel seems to be the dominant force in the cinematic superhero franchise world and, for now at least, there seems to be little threat to their empire. The Avengers: Age of Ultron picks up where 2012’s original film left off, with the destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the looming threat of insidious outsiders. Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye are called up to save the day, once more. Aren’t these guys getting tired of saving everyone all of the time? Apparently not. The multi-superhero concept looks bigger than ever and with origin films announced for a number of Marvel superheroes, it seems that the brand won’t be giving up its title anytime soon.
Paranormal Activity 5: The Ghost Dimension
It’s like a scary movie and just when you thought there couldn’t be any more, they go and release a gang of crazed prisoners. In the world of found footage films, it seemed that all had been said and done and that the film genre was well and truly dying out. The reprisal (yet again) of the Paranormal Activity series seems to think a little bit differently. Creators are insisting that the 5th instalment of the Paranormal Activity series is more of an spin off film, tracking yet more supernatural occurrences that happen in a family home. Is America notoriously haunted or something? No doubt there will be lots of loud noises, inexplicably functioning family technology found in a storage box and some kind of haunted child. There’s always a haunted child.
Spectre
Before Daniel Craig, the James Bond franchise was losing it a bit. Before Sam Mendes, we didn’t know what had hit us. When Craig and Mendes teamed up for 2012’s Skyfall, the cinematic viewing population went into free-fall. And for good reason; rejuvenating the classic heart of the character, thrusting him into modern social values and softening him ever so slightly, the film was a huge success. The next film, Spectre, promises even more, introducing the criminal organisation present in Fleming’s original novels. In a world void of Judi Dench’s M, there’s no telling what will happen. If teaser posters and images are anything to go by, Spectre is going to blow all of our socks off, whilst drinking a martini, of course.