Following the surprise success of Deadpool, a new generation of heroes with supernatural powers is to debut on the big screen this year. Alongside well-known crusaders like Batman, Captain America and the X-Men, a new line-up of characters is heading to the movies.
Seven major productions focusing on stories of superheroes are set for release in 2016. Moviegoers and fans of the genre have so far already encountered Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, in which Wonder Woman (and a few other superheroes) appears. Earlier, there was Deadpool, a psychopathic and megalomaniac avenger played by Ryan Reynolds, in a movie that proved a hit with audiences earlier this year, grossing US$712mil (RM2.84bil) at the global box office.
The film’s success is no doubt reassuring for other movies of the genre in store this year, bringing a new breed of superheroes to screens with dark, complex characters who are a far cry from the slick image of the genre’s pioneers.
In Suicide Squad (Aug 5), moviegoers follow a team of supervillains – Joker, Harley Quinn, Deadshot – recruited by the US government to carry out dangerous black ops missions. These dark, tormented and heavily armed characters are played by a star cast, including Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Will Smith.
The folks of Suicide Squad are a fun bunch, surely.
Another shady character, Gambit, was set to debut Oct 7 with Channing Tatum in the starring role. This mysterious mutant capable of charging objects with energy is accompanied by his wife, Bella Donna Boudreaux, played by French actress Lea Seydoux.
However, the movie, directed by Doug Liman (Edge Of Tomorrow), is only set to start filming this spring, which could make an October release tight. The movie is likely to be rescheduled for 2017.
Disney and Marvel, on the other hand, are bringing Doctor Strange to the big screen on Nov 4. Benedict Cumberbatch is signed up play the cynical and egotistical neurosurgeon who discovers strange and supernatural powers after losing the use of his hands in a car accident. He’ll be joined on the cast by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams and Madds Mikkelsen.
Benedict Cumberbatch is Doctor Strange. Photo: AFP
Batman, Superman and The Avengers return
In spite of all these new faces, Hollywood hasn’t brushed aside its tried and tested superheroes, who’ve already proved themselves at the global box-office. Already well known to TV and movie audiences, the Caped Crusader of Gotham City and the Metropolis’ Man of Steel are hitting the mark at the box-office with Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, despite all the bad reviews.
The film sees Ben Affleck stepping into the shoes of the Dark Knight for the first time, starring alongside Henry Cavill (Superman), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane) and Jeremy Irons (Alfred).
On May 6, the team of superheroes known as the Avengers see themselves split into two opposing factions in Captain America: Civil War, a third installment that promises a face-off between Iron Man and Captain America. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Holland and Don Cheadle.
Moviegoers will barely have time to catch their breath before the latest instalment of Fox’s mutant series, X-Men: Apocalypse, opens on May 27. This time around, the heroes are faced with Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant, born 5,000 years ago in Egypt, on a mission to wipe out humanity.
The baddie is played by Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), with the return of regular cast members Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Nicholas Hoult. – AFP Relaxnews
Placing this trailer here simply because it is cute:
