Most Anticipated Movies of 2017

2016 was a good year for movies but there were only my 5 or 6 movies I really anticipated. Most of the films I really enjoyed I either didn't know they were coming out or I didn't expect much from them. This year though there are maybe 20-25 movies I am looking forward to. These are some of the films I am anticipating the most.

Logan is the follow-up to 2013 The Wolverine and the third in the trilogy. In the film, Hugh Jackman will reprise his role as Wolverine set in the near future caring for an ill Professor X played by Patrick Stewart. While hiding out he crosses paths with a young mutant who is on the run from a group of mutant hunters called The Reavers. Seeing she's a lot like him he takes her under his wing realizing he can't hide from his legacy.

The trailer gives me the feel of an independent film with a 20th Century Fox budget. Logan appears to have heart but maintains the action you would expect from an X-Men movie. After a horrible start with the X-Men Origins: Wolverine Fox bounced back with The Wolverine so if they take another jump with this film audiences should be in for a treat. Logan was directed by James Mangold(3:10 to Yuma, Girl Interrupted, Walk the Line) and will be released March 3, 2017.

John Wick was one of the surprise hits of 2014. the sequel which stars Keanu Reeves as the titular character John Wick who must come out of retirement and travel to Rome to help a friend fend off some of the world's deadliest assassins.

The first John Wick was a modern take on action with interesting plot and visuals that appeared to be ripped from a comic book. Hopefully, the second one delivers the same kind of feel but also expands upon the mythos set up in the first, unlike some previous action sequels. John Wick Chapter 2 directed by Chad Stahelski hits theaters February 10, 2017.

Spider-Man is arguably the most well-known superhero and in my personal top 3 so I have been eagerly anticipating Spider-Man: Homecoming. Taking place after Captain America: Civil War, 15-year-old Peter Parker tries to balance his life as a high school student with being a superhero while getting help from Tony Stark his mentor an another danger, the Vulture, rises.

After being one of the scene stealers in the box office Blockbuster Captain America: Civil War Tom Holland reprise the role of Spider-Man in the first solo film since Marvel acquired a share of the rights from Sony. Directed by Jon Watts and slated for release July 7, 2017. I expect Spider-Man: Homecoming to be in line with the quality Marvel Studios and Disney have produced since the release of Iron Man in 2008.

After the pilot, Steve Trevor washes up on the shores of Diana's home Island Themyscira and tells her about World War I. She leaves the only home she's ever known to help join him in his fight.

When you think of female superheroes the first name that comes to mind is Wonder Woman. After her appearance in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gal Gadot will reprise her role as Diana Amazonian princess in the Patty Jenkins directed Wonder Woman. Though the movie Batman v Superman was not well received most will agree that one of the best parts and performances of the movie was Gadot’s portrayal of Wonder Woman. We finally get to see the Amazonians and Themyscira brought to life on the big screen. Wonder Woman will be released on June 2, 2017.

In the film directed by James Gunn, the team will try and stay together while traveling through space in while Peter Quill(Chris Pratt) tries to find out more about his lineage.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.1 was a smash Hit in 2014. The ragtag group of space travelers is not well known but as with seemingly all Marvel properties, they've found a way to bring the comic pages to life and attract a large audience. It was the perfect blend of action and comedy and I am expecting much of the same from the sequel. Vol 2 comes to theaters May 5, 2017.

Dark Tower is the film adaptation of Stephen King's novels by the same name. Starring Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Katheryn Winnick Dark Tower tells the story of Gunslinger Roland Deschain as he travels through the old west looking for the Man in Black while also in Pursuit Of The fabled Dark Tower which he hopes will save his world.

The novels were, in my opinion, some of Stephen King's best work with interesting set pieces and a mixture of western, sci-fi, horror, and fantasy themes. Danish director Nikolaj Arcel will be charged with bringing those themes and imagery to life when the film is released July 28, 2017.

Coming off of last year's success of the Jungle Book, Disney's next live-action recreation of an animated classic is Beauty and the Beast. Starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as The Beast Disney looks to continue their hot streak with Beauty and the Beast's classic story while visually expanding on the animated version.

Like most people, I remember seeing the original as a child and I am interested in seeing how Disney and director Bill Condon bring these beloved characters to life. Beauty and the Beast will be released in theaters on March 17, 2017.

Star Wars: episode VIII -The Last Jedi is my most anticipated movie of the year. Taking place after the events of The Force Awakens I hope the Last Jedi continues the story of the Skywalkers and expand on why Luke(Mark Hamill) retreated to the planet Ahch-To. I am hoping to also learn more about the events that turned Kylo Ren(Adam Driver) to dark side. Learning Rey's (Daisy Ridley) parentage would be nice as well.

The Force Awakens added new life into one of the most beloved sagas with the promise of more to come. My hope is Episode VIII will have the grandeur and sci-fi thrills to make good on that promise. The film directed by Rian Johnson, is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

35 years after Ridley Scott masterpiece of the movie and cult classic Blade Runner released and nearly 20 years of development a sequel is finally happening. Blade Runner: 2049 is being directed by Denis Villeneuve and stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard his character from the 1982 classic, and Ryan Gosling as LAPD Officer K. In the film officer K, a new blade runner, after finding potential world-destroying secret sets out on a quest to find Deckard who has been missing for 30 years.

I am a huge fan of the first Blade Runner and hearing there was a sequel in development automatically got me excited. Finding out the cinematography of Academy Award-nominated Roger Deakins along with Villeneuve being attached to the project only increased my excitement after seeing other phenomenal films like Prisoners, Sicario and Arrival he has directed. Blade Runner was one of the most stylistic and influential sci-fi films though misunderstood initially. My hopes is that Blade Runner: 2049 can expand upon that foundation and add something new to the genre. The film is set for release on October 6, 2017.

War of the Planet of the Apes is the third installment in probably one of the best trilogies following 2014"s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and 2011's Rise of the Planet of The Apes.

The leader of the Apes Ceasar leads his army in a war against human for the fate of the planet I am interested in seeing if this is going to wrap up the story or setup more releases from this franchise. Directed by Matt Reeves, War of the Planet of the Apes is scheduled to be released on July 14, 2017.

Dunkirk a dramatic retelling of the Battle of Dunkirk that took place during World War II between the allies and Nazi Germany.

It is the first project since 2014 Interstellar from highly acclaimed writer/director Christopher Nolan. The film stars Tom Hardy who hasn't given a bad performance in years. Chris Nolan is one of my favorite directors and I am interested in his take on a war movie. Dunkirk appears to be cinematic with IMAX shots and based on Nolan's track record I expect the storytelling to be non-linear. Dunkirk hits theaters July 21, 2017.

Though Batman v. Superman may have left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths it did, however, get many people excited for the possible release of a Justice League. Two of the standout performances in BvS were Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman and Ben Affleck's Batman. In Justice League, the two seek out others to join them in their fight against the coming darkness.

The film also Stars Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, and I'm pretty sure we will see the return of Henry Cavill's Superman. TheJustice League is my favorite team in comics having some of the most well-known important superheroes in pop culture and based on Zack Snyder's, track record it will at least if nothing else, be visually stunning. justice League will be released November 17, 2017.