In the next three years, fans of science fiction and fantasy franchises have a lot of cheer for. Many of the genres' biggest names and classic favorites will be returning with new installments or as revamps of the originals. Below is just some the spectacular movies fans can expect.
Dune (Paramount Pictures, 2010)
Dune, originally a bestselling and widely acclaimed science fiction novel by Frank Hebert, weaves a complex, highly futuristic battle for control of "melange," a valuable spice, and the only planet upon which it is found. In 1984, David Lynch adapted the novel into a lackluster film starring Kyle MacLachlan. A fairly decent television miniseries starring William Hurt followed in 2000.
Dune's remake is set for 2010. It is based on a script by Josh Zetumer and produced by John Harrison and Richard Rubinstein, two of the Sci Fi Channel miniseries' creators. However, Peter Berg, who was initially slated to direct the project, has dropped out.
The Hobbit (New Line Cinema, 2011 and 2012)
J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, The Hobbit, is also ready for film adaptation. However, the epic journey of Bilbo Baggins to the Lonely Mountain, in which he encounters Gollum, obtains the One Ring, and battles Smaug, will only be the first film. It is set for a December 2011 release. A second prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy will then expand upon the novels, describing events occurring between The Hobbit and the trilogy.
Although not directing this go-around, Peter Jackson will exert substantial influence over The Hobbit as both a co-writer and executive producer. Guillermo Del Toro will direct both films. A truly impressive combination, Jackson and Del Toro will undoubtedly create, at the very least, a visually awe-inspiring fantasy film. See What's Happening with the Hobbit? - Film Preview for more information.
Star Trek 2 (Paramount Pictures, 2011)
Or is it Star Trek XII, asks Scifimoviepage.com? A fair question. Speculation surrounds this much anticipated sequel to the 2009 Star Trek reboot of the entire franchise. J.J. Abrams will likely direct again, and "Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof, the Lost and Fringe regulars, are currently working on a screenplay." Other rumors suggest that William Shatner may appear and that the villains may be Klingons. Such rumors are unconfirmed, according to Scifimoviepage.com.
Transformers 3 (Paramount Pictures Says 2011, Director Michael Bay Says 2012?)
The third installment of Transformers is no surprise. Shia LaBoeuf, Megan Fox (assuming no additional hostility between her and Bay's crew), and director Michael Bay will return, as well as all the not-yet-dead Transformers from the first two movies and a slew of new, but still undisclosed, robots. Despite being lambasted by fans and critics alike, Transformers 2 made "more than $800 million in worldwide box office grosses," according to Adam Rosenberg's October 1, 2009 posting on MTV Movies Blog. That is gross. But like it or not, fans will line up to see the third film on July 1, 2011.
To make matters worse, Transformers is being rushed forward against Bay's earlier hopes of a 2012 release. Apparently, even Bay can't fight the powers that be. According to Rosenberg, Bay is on board for the 2011 release date. Unfortunately, so is Megan Fox.
Mad Max 4: Fury Road (George Miller, Director, 2012)
Mad Max is back, but he isn't Mel Gibson. Little is known about the script for the upcoming, fourth Mad Max movie. Conflicting reports have announced both Sam Worthington (Terminator: Salvation, Avatar) and Tom Hardy (Star Trek: Nemesis, RocknRolla) as the lead, but according to Elisabeth Rappe of Cinematical, Hardy has been granted the role. He will star opposite Charlize Theron. George Miller will once again direct. No news yet as to whether the film is a reboot or a true sequel, says Rappe.
Alien Prequel? District 10? Soylent Green Remake?
Hype is generating about several other projects in the making. Ridley Scott is back amongst his old, acid-blooded, mouth-within-a-mouth, spike-tailed alien friends. The script for an Alien prequel is being penned. Its plot will take place 30 years before the first Alien, says Scott (quoted on Reelmovienews.com).
And what about a sequel to one of the greatest science fiction films of the 21st century, District 9? Although alive only in concept, District 10 seems like a foregone conclusion. Quoted on Flicksnews.net, director Neill Blomkamp had this to say:
“If [District 9] is successful, if audiences want another, whatever, District 10, I would love to do it . . . It’s a very personal film, and it’s a universe and a place that I find incredibly creative. I’d love to go back to that universe.”
But a Soylent Green remake? Thanks to Charlton Heston's famous lines, everyone already knows "Soylent Green is people!" David Goyer, who will be producing a new Soylent Green, told SCI FI Wire that the remake will pick up where the first one ended. That's not a remake, people. That's a sequel, people.
Jason Parent - Jason Parent earned his Bachelor's Degree in English in 2000 and his Juris Doctorate in 2006. He currently works as an attorney with a ...
