The next two years are shaping up to be filled with blockbuster sequels galore after recent release date announcements. Some of the big successes of 2011 like X-Men: First Class, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Thor have all had sequels confirmed for 2013 and 2014.
Thor 2 is to start production in a few months with the main original cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård and Idris Elba. Director Kenneth Branagh has been replaced by Alan Taylor, who has directed many episodes of great television shows like Game of Thrones, Bored to Death, Mad Men and The Sopranos. Thor 2 is to be released on November 8, 2013.
The Apes sequel of the prequel is now informatively titled Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. As the title suggests, the film is expected to cover the end of the age of humanity and the beginning of the age of apes. Thankfully, Andy Serkis will be back as lead ape Caesar. Director Rupert Wyatt is back on board and the film is to be written by Scott Z. Burns (Contagion, The Bourne Ultimatum). It opens on May 23, 2014.
First Class 2, not the official title, will release on July 18, 2014. Shooting is scheduled to start in January 2013 for this particular sequel of a prequel. The majority of the main cast is to return, including Jennifer Lawrence, after the studios carefully avoided a scheduling conflict with The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Matthew Vaughn will direct again, with a script from his long time writing partner Jane Goldman and Simon Kinberg.
Also, Steven Spielberg now has a release date of April 25, 2014 for his project, the fantastically titled Robopocalypse. The science fiction film was adapted for the screen by Drew Goddard, who directed and co-wrote The Cabin in the Woods with Joss Whedon. It is based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name by Daniel H. Wilson, who happens to have a PhD in robotics, so his novel should bring some intelligence and realism to the tired theme of man v machine.
Lone Ranger is to be released on July 3, 2014. The film stars Johnny Depp as the well-publicised crow-wearing Tonto, and Armie Hammer (Winklevoss twins, The Social Network) as the Ranger himself. The film is to be directed by Gore Verbinski (first three Pirates of the Caribbean films).
If that wasn't enough, on the very same day, Independence Day is going to be re-released in 3D. A cash grab to be sure, but it is arguably the most recognisable film by disaster movie director extraordinaire, Roland Emmerich. It certainly has the scale to justify a third dimension.
Unfortunately, these are all US release dates, but Australian cinemas are likely to start screening them on the same day (if they end up being worldwide releases) or at least very soon, possibly a month, after the USA releases. Those films again:
- Independence Day 3D and Lone Ranger on July 3rd, 2013.
- Thor 2 on November 8th, 2013.
- Robopocalypse on April 25th, 2014.
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, May 23rd, 2014.
- X-Men: First Class 2 on July 18th, 2014.
