As I said in the introduction to the poll, next year is looking to be a good year for films. We have the latest additions to the MCU, we get to see the culmination of everything Warner Bros. have been trying (all-be-it shoddily) to build with the DCEU, we have a possible return to form for the X-Men franchise after last years... well I would say Apocalyptically bad film for the joke but it wasn't that bad (close though, but not quite that bad) and the next instalments in some beloved sci-fi series, such as Star Wars and Planet of the Apes. So which film are you guys the most excited about? Well, you voted, so here's the results.
10. Ghost in the Shell/ Alien: Covenant/ Blade Runner 2049/ War for the Planet of the Apes
Ok, so, all these films ended up on exactly the same amount of votes, which is rather annoying. Oh well. So, Ghost has the unenviable task of taking a beloved classic anime movie and translating it to live action and making it palatable for a mainstream western audience. Judging by the trailers, they're doing a good job and the source material they've been given is worth getting hyped for anyway. With Alien: Covenant, well, they've got to take the film series back to its routes more than Prometheus did. A returning Michael Fassbender should be good, but not including Xenomorphs may be a let down. Blade Runner 2049, the sequel no-one thought would happen and (let's be honest) no-one really wanted, but it's happening. Still, Harrison Ford is back on board and it has what can only be described as a fairly stacked cast (Ryan Gosling, Dave Bautista, Lennie James and Jared Leto all confirmed) so it shouldn't be bad, it's just going to have to contend with the fact that it's predecessor is a stone cold classic. And finally, War for the Planet of the Apes. This one's the easiest to get hyped about, due to the fact that its predecessors have both been really good blockbusters. Carrying over the team from the last 2 instalments, it will need to try pretty hard to be a flop.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Why is this film series still going? Yes, the first one was great, but they've been declining in quality ever since, and not steadily, you get past film 2 and it's like looking into the abyss. Doesn't help that Depp hasn't done a really good movie since 2005 (The Corpse Bride). So, if you're hyped for this one, good for you. I'm not.
8. Logan
Potentially the most interesting X-Men film since First Class, this film has a lot of expectations riding on it. Firstly, Apocalypse was not good, so Fox need a return to form for the mainstream X-Men franchise (Deadpool doesn't count because it was an R, so they can't shill that to the teen market). Secondly, it looks to be the debut of X-23, which is hype in its own right. Thirdly, the trailer is hinting at a No More Mutants storyline, so we should see a more vulnerable Logan than ever before. Lastly, this is likely going to be the last hurrah for two franchise mainstays, Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart. Both were phenomenal in their roles and it would be a travesty to have them go out on anything but a high note.
7. The Lego Batman Movie
All I can say about this one is, this film will contain Mariah Carey. It will also contain Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face, which is a nice throwback to the first Batman movie. Oh and it has the beardy one from The Hangover playing the Joker. To be honest, I haven't seen The Lego Movie, so I don't really have anything to go off of. The plot synopsis sounds like a grade A piss take, so hopefully we have some fun, self-aware shenanigans.
6. Justice League
It's telling of the quality of the DCEU that THE JUSTICE LEAGUE IS ONLY 6TH ON THE LIST! Let me put it to you another way. The film that sees the first live-action team up between Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman and that guy from Teen Titans, is a less anticipated film that the new Thor movie (#spoilers). I'm no fan of the DCEU, but having the Justice League this low on the list is surprising to say the least. So, what can we expect? Well, it's probably going to be rubbish, if we're being honest, but Ben Affleck should be good (imagine saying that a year ago) as should Ezra Miller.
5. Thor Ragnarok
Speaking of Thor, his movies have always been the ginger step-child of the MCU really. They've been the filler films between more interesting and important plot development. Sure they did give us Loki, but they also gave us Stellan Skarsgard running around Stonehenge naked. However, this film looks to be different. Whether or not it will have more wide reaching ramifications on the MCU than its predecessors is uncertain (aka, is it going to advance the Thanos plot any further), but what it will do is see Thor and Hulk team up. The film will also have the debut of Valkyrie, as played by Tessa Thompson, Hela, played by Cate Blanchett, Skurge, played by Karl Urban, and The Grandmaster, played by Jeff Goldblum. That cast list alone should be enough to get you hyped. Oh and Tom Hiddleston is in it and Benedict Cumberbatch is gonna have a cameo (maybe more). It's gonna be good.
4. Spider-Man: Homecoming
A fitting title if ever there was one, Spidey making his solo debut in the MCU is reason enough for it to be placed on this list. I mean, when he appeared in the Civil War trailer it was enough to ensure that everyone who was wearing socks whilst watching the trailer were no longer wearing them afterwards. So, add in a trailer that gives us everything we could want from a Spider-Man anything, awkward Peter, wise-cracking Spidey, awesome looking Vulture, high stakes, classic Spidey show of strength by holding two things with his webbing to stop them falling and the obligatory wall-crawling and web slinging. Oh and it has added Robert Downey Jr. for your viewing pleasure. TBH, if this weren't a vote and I'd done this list on my own, this would be number 1.
3. Wonder Woman
Please let this one be good. Ok, reasons to be hyped for this film. It's Wonder Woman's first live-action movie, the first female fronted superhero movie since Elektra, Gal Gadot was good in what little screen time she got in BvS and the first trailers looked amazing. However, the reasons not to get hyped. Suicide Squads first trailers also looked amazing and that film sunk like a rock tied to a balloon filled with lead and black-holes. Oh and the DCEU has been mostly terrible so far. This is the best shot Warner Bros. has of getting goodwill back on their side next year, the only shot they have before the biggest release of the DCEU. If this film fails, then the DCEU will be effectively dead, Justice League will have to do the unthinkable to salvage it. So, please let this film be good.
2. Star Wars: Episode VIII
It's a new Star Wars film and it's being released off the back of one that wasn't terrible (unlike episodes 2 and 3). Of course everyone is hyped for it. We lost Han in the last film, but this film we get Luke back. How does the First Order react to the destruction of the Star Killer base (they probably build another one next to a forest moon where they can conveniently place their shield generators)? Who are the Knights of Ren and what is Supreme Leader Snoke's plan? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke? How is Rey's training going to go? Is Ren going to kill Luke (probably)? Is there going to be a battle on a frozen planet followed by a trip to a city in the clouds for a dramatic parentage reveal (probably)? Please just don't rehash Empire guys.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2
The surprise break out hit of the MCU, it isn't a surprise that Guardians 2 beat even Star Wars to top our list. What is surprising is the fact that Guardians being more anticipated than a Star Wars film isn't a surprise. But there you have it. Bringing back all the favourites from the last film, including an adorable baby Groot, this film will also see Yondu and Nebula join the team, alongside a debuting Mantis. We will also meet Peter Quill's father and probably get some further major plot progression for the Thanos arc. Plus, maybe an Adam Warlock cameo please? You know, since his "sister" is meant to be in it. (Sorry, I just want Adam Warlock in the MCU, is that so wrong?) Oh and guarantee the soundtrack is going to be awesome.
So, that's our list. What do you guys think? Do you agree or disagree? What films are you guys most excited about for next year? Let us know in the comments below.
And with that
JR out.
