Action fantasies, thrillers and real-life inspired outings, Hollywood has abundant in store for fans in 2018
Avengers: Infinity War
The third instalment in the Avengers franchise, Infinity War is awaited not only because it brings together Marvel’s coveted superheroes, but also since it marks their collaboration with the Guardians Of The Galaxy. The directorial venture of the Russo brothers, comprising Anthony and Joe, will unveil the disarray caused when the mad Titan, Thanos comes to collect the Infinity Stones. That Marvel’s recently released Thor: Ragnarok proved to be a sheer entertainer has fans eagerly awaiting this instalment.
US Release: May 4
Black Panther
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa, who returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation Wakanda, to become king. When a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and Black Panther — is put to test. He is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda, and the entire world, at risk. That T’Challa’s first standalone film borrows from African cultures will be a welcome relief from outings primarily based on European and Japanese folklore.
US Release: February 16
Ready Player One
That this upcoming American Cyberpunk science fiction is being helmed by Hollywood genius Steven Spielberg is reason enough for fans to look forward to this venture. Warner Bros. Pictures’ offering, based on Ernest Cline’s 2011 book by the same name, is set in 2045, when the world is on the brink of chaos. Having found salvation in the expansive virtual reality universe, OASIS, citizens now find themselves embroiled in a contest to amass the fortune of the universe’s creator after his death. A digital Easter egg is the Holy Grail they must find.
US Release: March 30
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Chris Pratt will reprise his role as Owen, and Bryce Dallas Howard returns as Claire in this sequel to 2016’s Jurassic World. The duo plans to rescue the dinosaurs from a volcano that warns to blow up an abandoned theme park. Along the way, they run into a bunch of new creatures, meet up with Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), and try to find Owen’s old raptor buddy, Blue.
US Release: June 22
Untitled Deadpool Sequel
Ryan Reynold’s shenanigans as the foul-mouthed superhero in the 2016 outing apparently earned 20th Century Fox’s Deadpool the title of the highest-grossing R-rated film in cinematic history. While its currently untitled sequel has a lot to live up to, the trailer of the film certainly looks promising. With a pairing that’s often been compared to Rush Hour’s Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, it will be interesting to see how director David Leitch showcases the notorious protagonist, Deadpool, with the no-nonsense Cable.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald
While JK Rowling’s decision to rope in Johnny Depp in the second instalment of 2016’s Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them garnered sufficient criticism – Rowling, an advocator of women’s issues was pulled up for roping in Depp, who was accused of domestic violence – this outing is still awaited by Harry Potter fans. The sequel will apparently feature a young Albus Dumbledore, who instructs the hero to chase down villainous wizard Grindelwald (Depp). It promises to begin the battle for the ages between the esteemed professor and his former bestie-gone-rogue.
US Release:November 16
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Ron Howard’s American space Western film, Solo is centered on a young Han Solo. The prequel follows the roguish smuggler, who later meets Luke Skywalker in Star Wars (1977). It chronicles his adventures with his Wookiee partner, Chewbacca, and their encounter with Lando Calrissian.
US Release: May 25
Mission: Impossible 6
Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie return to helm the sixth instalment of the action-adventure series, revealing very little of the storyline to fans just yet. What is certain is a depiction of protagonist Ethan Hunt’s emotional journey. McQuarrie had stated that, with this offering, fans will get “to know who Ethan is.” In what appears to be a bid to do so, he is also bringing back Michelle Monaghan as Ethan’s old flame, Dr Julia Meade.
X-Men – 2 releases
With two offerings, New Mutants and Dark Phoenix, eyeing releases in 2018, Fox has a lot to look forward to next year. While New Mutants is being touted to be a horror that follows young mutants as they escape a facility in which they are being held against their will, the franchise’s second 2018 release will see the X-Men face the magnificent Dark Phoenix and the alien
empire.
Oceans Eight
Gary Ross’s Ocean’s Eight borrows from the basic premise of Ocean’s Eleven — a group of cons pull off an elaborate robbery — and gives it the old gender swap. The ensemble case has names like Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Paulson and Awkwafina associated with it. It also stars a member of the original Eleven, apparently Matt Damon.
US Release: June 8
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