Here we are again, a New Year. After a hugely successful year in film last year I wondered how it can possibly be topped in 2013. Then I looked at the releases and wondered how I ever doubted that 2013 couldn’t beat 2012.
Here in the UK we’re still playing catch up with the States on most of the likely award winners (Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, Wreck-It Ralph, Django Unchained, Les Mis, Cloud Atlas) So I err on the side of caution and kept them out of this list, simply because I could fill half of it with these releases.
Here goes; My most anticipated films of 2013:
Ender’s Game
Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield via Ender’s Game Facebook Page
Director: Gavin Hood
Writers: Gavin Hood (screenplay), Orson Scott Card (novel)
Top billing: Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford
What’s it about?
Many decades after a horrific alien war, an exceptionally gifted child is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future invasion.
Why I’m excited:
Ender’s Game is probably my favourite Sci-Fi book ever; A pretty sweeping statement, but it’s true. Even though the film production has had a rocky road; it’s been in production since 2004 churning through several writers, scripts and directors, and with Orson Scott Card being (understandably) protective of the source material and artistic control it’s not been an easy production. I won’t lie, Gavin Hood’s recent directorial outings (X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Rendition) are not stand out films. But with Orson Scott Card’s passion for the source material and the talent attached: Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley and Harrison Ford; I’m hoping we get film that compliments the book to it’s fullest.
Released: 25th October 2013
Monsters University
Monster’s University via Entertainment Weekly
Director: Dan Scanlon
Writers: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter
Top Billing: Billy Crystal, John Goodman and Steve Buscemi
What’s it about?
Even Monster’s need to go to school. The follow up prequel to Disney Pixar’s Smash hit Monsters Inc., The film takes a close look at Mike and Sulley’s relationship in University.
Why I’m excited:
It seems every year I do one of these posts there’s usually a Pixar movie to be excited about (there are exceptions). With the somewhat disappointing Brave in 2012 Pixar are bringing back an old favourite in 2013. All our favourite voice actors are back and we have Pixar veterans Andrew Stanton & Pete Docter as writer; if there’s one possible weak link it’ll be Dan Scanlon who steps up to direct his first feature length blockbuster. Unlike some other studios Pixar are pretty good with sequels; but what are they like with prequels? I guess we’ll find out later this year.
Released: 12th July 2013
Elysium
Sharlto Copley In Elysium via Empire online
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Writer: Neill Blomkamp
Top Billing: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley
What’s it about?
Set in the year 2159, where the very wealthy live on a man-made space station while the rest of the population resides on a ruined Earth, a man takes on a mission that could bring equality to the polarised worlds.
Why I’m excited:
2013 seems to have it’s fair share of post apocalyptic sci-fi, movies doesn’t it?! This is probably the one I’m most excited about. Neill Blomkamp’s follow up to one of my favourite films of 2009: District 9. It’s another sci-fi, and it once again features Sharlto Copley and more social and political commentary on segregation. This time we have Matt Damon and Jodie Foster thrown into the mix and Copley is playing the villain, If it’s anywhere near as fun and exciting, or as intelligent and provoking as District 9 is, then I’ll be one happy cinephile.
Released: 20th September 2013
The World’s End
The World’s End via Empire Online
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Top Billing: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Martin Freeman
What’s it about?
Five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier unwittingly become humankind’s only hope for survival.
Why I’m excited:
It’s the final instalment in Edgar Wright’s Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy AKA the Blood and Ice Cream trilogy, what’s not to be excited about?! I’m a huge fan of the first two parts of the trilogy (Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), and love Edgar Wright’s sense of genre and style, it’s not for everyone but it’s the little nods to films that have clearly inspired Wright and Pegg — hence I’m looking forward to see what comedic twist he and Simon Pegg have written for the sci-fi genre.
Released: 14th August 2013
Man of Steel
Henry Cavill as Superman via ScreenRant
Director: Zack Snyder
Writers: David S. Goyer (screenplay), Christopher Nolan & David S. Goyer (story)
Top Billing: Henry Cavill, Russell Crowe and Amy Adams
What’s it about?
An alien infant is raised on Earth, and grows up with superhuman abilities. He sets out to use these abilities to guard his adopted world.
Why I’m excited:
The Superman reboot is finally here, and so far I’m impressed with the little we’ve seen. Actually, I’m mostly thankful that Zack Snyder hasn’t gone all out on the highly syslised, slow—mo action we’re used to seeing from him (300, Sucker Punch); it actually feels like he tried to create a world that we can believe and be a part of. Henry Cavill more than looks the part, and I have a soft spot for Amy Adams — so I have no worries for Lois Lane. Although Nolan has been somewhat involved, I don’t think this will be comparable to Batman Begins as Superman’s world is a lot more difficult to construct; nevertheless I’m stoked to see Supes back on the big screen.
Released: 14th June 2013
Pacific Rim
Idris Elba and Rinko Kikuchi in Pacific Rim via Collider
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writers: Travis Beacham, Guillermo del Toro
Stars: Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam and Rinko Kikuchi
What’s it about?
When an alien attack threatens the Earth’s existence, giant robots piloted by humans are deployed to fight off the menace.
Why I’m excited:
The pure scale of this movie is enough to convince me that it deserves a spot on this list. In a nutshell it’s giant robots vs. monsters. Think about that. Giant robots vs. monsters. Like a grown up Power Rangers. Guillermo Del. Toro has a knack for making action engaging and fun, and excellent visual flair; He gave up on The Hobbit to make this movie, and it looks like it will pay off for both the audience and Del Toro.
Released: 12th July 2013
Iron Man 3
Robert Downey Jr. in IronMan 3 via ComicBookMovie.com
Director: Shane Black
Writers: Drew Pearce, Shane Black
Top Billing: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley and Gwyneth Paltrow
What’s it about?
Tony Stark uses his ingenuity to fight those who destroyed his private world and soon goes up against his most powerful enemy yet: the Mandarin.
Why I’m excited:
Our first Marvel since the release of The Avengers last year comes in the return of Tony Stark and Iron Man. This year is a little different for Iron Man, we have a new director (Shane Black) and we have one of the greatest comic book villains ever in the form of Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin. Despite Iron Man 2 feeling like a rehash of the first it was still fun and I’m interested to see where Iron Man goes in this Instalment, It’s already feeling a lot darker than the previous two.
Released: 26th April 2013
Star Trek: Into Darkness
Zachary Quinto, Bennedict Cumberbatch, and Chris Pine in Star Trek: Into Darkness via Screen Rant
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writers: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
Top Billing: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Zoe Saldana
What’s it about?
After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organisation, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.
Why I’m excited:
Three years since the release of J.J. Abrams fun, truthful, and lens-flared Star trek reboot we’re finally getting the sequel. The cast are returning for the sequel along with Sherlock Holmes/Smaug the dragon himself — Benedict Cumberbatch. As the rumours go Cumberbatch will be playing one of Star Trek’s greatest villains: Khan; I can’t imagine anyone better to play such a role!
Released: 17th May 2013
Kick-Ass 2
Jim Carrey, Kick-Ass 2 via Cinema Blend
Director: Jeff Wadlow
Writers: Jeff Wadlow (screenplay), John Romita Jr. (comic book),
Top Billing: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse
What’s it about?
The costumed high-school hero Kick-Ass joins with a group of normal citizens who have been inspired to fight crime in costume. Meanwhile, the Red Mist plots an act of revenge that will affect everyone Kick-Ass knows.
Why I’m excited:
Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass surprised a lot of people, it’s highly entertaining and very satisfying to watch. Three years after it’s release we have a sequel to look forward to, this time we’ve lost out on Matthew Vaughn as director but thankfully it includes the original cast Of Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse who were all excellent in Kick-Ass. Joining them is Jim Carrey, Donald Faison and a slew of other actors to create an Avengers-esque alliance. Sounds like a lot of fun to me.
Released: 19th July 2013
Much Ado About Nothing
Joss Whedon with his Much Ado notebook via EW.com
Director: Joss Whedon
Writers: William Shakespeare (play), Joss Whedon (screenplay)
Top billing: Nathan Fillion, Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker and Fran Kranz
What’s it about?
A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
Why I’m excited:
To me, this is Joss doing what he loves: telling a great story in the best possible way, we’ve heard of Joss’ infamous Shakespeare get togethers, where he invites his friends round to act out Shakespeare, for funsies. Yet I never thought we’d actually get to see any of it. Much Ado About Nothing was filmed around Whedon’s house during a 12 days break in The Avengers shoot, and it brings together some of our favourite Whedon actors. It’s no secret that I regard Joss Whedon as something of a master filmmaker and I cannot wait to see how he’s handled The Bard’s work.
Released: I cheated a little, as there’s no release date set in stone for the UK.
Honorable Mentions:
- Carrie
- The Hunger Games: Catching fire
- Evil Dead
- The Lone Ranger
- Thor: The Dark World
- The Great Gatsby
That’s what I’m looking forward to in 2013, no doubt some will live up to my expectations and some won’t.
If you’re interested, I’ve set up a public calendar with all the currently known UK film release dates (sourced from IMDb) in 2013. I’ll do my best to keep it up to date, you can find it here:
Subscribe to my 2013 UK Film calendar.
What are you excited to see on the silver screen in 2013? Let me know in the comments!
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