Let me preface this by saying that possibly my most anticipated movie for 2015 is officially SpongeBob SquarePants 2. I swear, the first one had me laughing so much when I saw it in theaters that I love revisiting it for all that it does. A sequel? Sign me up.
Anyway… 2015 is definitely shaping up to be an impressive year with what’s being scheduled so far. We’ve had a few adjustments as of late, which is why putting stock in something so far out can be dangerous, but with productions beginning soon or in the next few months for various 2015 target dates, things are firming up across the board. We just had Pirates of the Caribbean 5 move out of 2015 entirely and Jurassic Park 4 became Jurassic World and moved ahead a month. And one of the big boys of 2015 doesn’t have a date yet with Star Wars: Episode VII largely expected to go for a fall or even possibly Christmas date. And the potential for the Duncan Jones World of Warcraft movie to do strong business since all the Hobbit material will be done is definitely there as well.
So what does 2015 have to offer of interest so far that’s worth noting?
March:
Fantastic Four - The reboot that will likely tie into the X-Men franchises is going to get a huge, huge push from Fox as they attempt to Marvel-ize their comic properties.
April:
Ted 2 - Almost a $600 million comedy for $50 million. There’s going to be a ton riding on this and it’s the only big comedy to really be set this far out.
May:
Avengers: Age of Ultron - In the worlds of Marvel editorial over the years, ’nuff said.
June:
B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations - A new property from DreamWorks through Fox distribution, which is going paranormal and could be their next How To Train Your Dragon.
June 12
Jurassic World – Universal is short on franchise and a chance to revive this is huge for them, but with the effects game vastly different than back in 1993 for the first film, it has to be more engaging with its story.
June 19
Assassin’s Creed – Games to movies are weak in general, but with Michael Fassbender starring and involved in a big way, it has more potential than most.
Inside Out – A Pixa film with Lewis Black. It’s just a must see/hear for that alone. Coming from the man behind Up and Monters, Inc, it has more potential than some of the recent Pixar offerings.
June 26
Terminator – With this under new hands and an attempt to rework and start a new trilogy, it’s fraught with peril. But if Alan Taylor gets his hands on it to define it? Hoo boy.
July:
July 3
Independence Day 2 – All dependent on Will Smith returning to it. If he doesn’t, it’ll be a hard road to travel. If he does, it needs to be the revival his career needs after After Earth.
Untitled Illumination Entertainment 2015 Project 3D - As long as it’s not a Despicable Me spinoff, I’ll be intrigued.
July 17
Superman/Batman – SO EXCITED.
July 31
Ant-Man - EVEN MORE EXCITED.
November:
November 6
Bond 24 - It’ll be near impossible to pull off a repeat performance of Skyfall in terms of box office, but the potential for story is very strong here with the main team returning for another round.
November 20
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 – I hate part 2 films with a passion, but I’m really curious to see how this book gets adapted.
November 25
Finding Dory - Possibly the only Pixar film that I’m actually anticipating at the moment.