The Cutting Room Floor: Looking Ahead to ‘08
It’s the beginning of a new year and is starting to look like the last good batch of movies we will see in a while. The Writer’s Guild of America remains on strike and until that is settled Hollywood will be starting to look rather barren around the end of this year and the start of ‘09. Television is already beginning to feel the sting with the cancellation of 24 this year and a load of Reality Shows ready to hit the mid season lineup. So I thought I would take the opportunity to look ahead to 2008 and see what’s coming up for us in theaters this year:
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tail: In what is expected to be the first of 3 Dungeon Siege movies director Uwe Boll (House of the Dead, Bloodrayne) unleashes his lack of talent upon the world once more. With names like Jason Statham and Ray Liotta this movie will once more support the theory that Uwe Boll should really stop making movies. *Released*
Cloverfield: J.J. Abrams steps up as producer of this Blair Witch style film. Set in New York when a Godzilla like creature attacks, it is all shot on hand held digital video and is supposed to have been ‘found’ after the attack and released to the public *Jan 18th*
Jumper: Based on the Steven Gold novel about a kid with the ability to teleport starring Samuel L Jackson and Hayden Christensen (a.k.a Anakin Skywalker) *Feb 18th*
The Eye: Jessica Alba enters the horror genre with this Japanese Remake about a blind woman that gets a transplant and begins to see some really bad things. *Feb 1st*
The Forbidden Kingdom: Jackie Chan and Jet Li together! Does it really matter what it’s about? *April 18th*
Then we start to see the mega blockbusters, and boy what a Summer it’s going to be:
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Harrison Ford is back in the fourth Indiana Jones movie and he’s bringing the big guns with him (George Lucas and Steven Spielberg). Oh yeah and rising star Shiah Labeouf as well. *May 22nd*
Iron Man: Robert Downey Jr takes on the role of Tony Stark in the big screen treatment of Iron Man from Marvel comics. Thankfully they decided NOT to go with Tom Cruise as Downey looks perfect for the role. *May 2*
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian: The kids are back, the lion is back and it’s all out war in Narnia once more. *May 16th*
Hellboy II: The Golden Army: If you have a chance to go to You-Tube and check out the trailer for the new Hellboy I recommend it. Mike Mignola co-wrote the screenplay and it appears to have a much more comic book feel to it. *July 11th*
The Incredible Hulk: New Bruce Banner, new director and a whole new direction including the Abomination! *June 13th*
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince: Based on the sixth book of the seven book series the kids are getting older and the rush has been put on to get these films done. *November 21st*
And finally my pick of the year as the MUST see movie…..
Batman: The Dark Knight: Christian Bale returns to his role of Bruce Wayne/Batman and this time it’s The Joker (Heath Ledger!) And possibly Two Face (Harvey Dent IS in the movie and is played by Aaron Eckhart). Everything I’ve read points to this being the same dark and edgy film as Batman Begins and Heath Ledger blows everyone away in the role of the volitile Joker. Check out the Wizard 2008 Movie Spectacular for legit photos and interviews on what is shaping up to be the biggest movie of the summer.
I know there are plenty of other movies coming out that I didn’t get to but these look to be the highlights of 2008. Enjoy them while you can because 2009 is shaping up to be a rough year.
Richard Carroll is an avid movie viewer and all around fanboy. You can probably find him at his computer playing Guild Wars when not watching,writing, reading or roleplaying something (Oh and then there’s the real world and work). Check out some of his written works at www.ficofthedead.com. A website in need of a webmaster to ensure it gets updated. (Any takers? Anyone? *grins*)