Summer Movie Preview 2017
This year’s film assembly line builds new models out of old parts
FOUR ON THE FLOOR: Ansel Elgort (from left), Jamie Foxx, Eiza Gonzalez and Jon Hamm plan a heist in “Baby Driver.”Wilson Webb
Hollywoodbs new releases never look older than during summer blockbuster season. Starting the first Friday in May, the motion picture industry demonstrates its commitment to familiar properties and long-running franchises. This business model leads to movies that can seem a bit stale while costing a kingbs ransom, but it has some upsides b especially locally. Marvel Studios, which built the b shared universeb model so many other films seek to emulate, is now filming most of its productions in Georgia, particularly at Fayettevillebs Pinewood Studios.
British director Edgar Wrightbs local productions show the dichotomy of film franchises vs. independent artistry. Wright walked away from filming Ant-Man in Atlanta due to creative differences and clearly feeling constrained by Marvelbs b house style.b But Wright gets the last laugh with his ATL-shot action-comedyB Baby DriverB (opening June 28), which received ecstatic reviews at South by Southwest.
Baby DriverB looks like a light-hearted example of the b getaway driverb heist film formula, but given that itbs not based on a pre-existing work or other intellectual property, seems wildly original during months dominated by the likes ofB Despicable Me 3B orB Baywatch. The pages that follow preview summer releases based on their newest and oldest qualities. (All release dates subject to change.)
ALL GOLD EVERYTHING: Elizabeth Debicki is the enigmatic alien Ayesha in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”Disney/Marvel
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2
Whatbs it about?B Peter b Star-Lordb Quill (Chris Pratt) and his cosmic cohorts return for more outer space adventures, which include a mysterious alien (Kurt Russell) who may be Star-Lordbs father. (Check out CL’s review of the movie.)
Whatbs old about it?B As the title suggests, itbs the second of the Guardians films, while also being the 15th entry in the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe going back to 2008bs Iron Man.
Whatbs new about it?B Along with Russell, additions include the telepathic Mantis (Pom Klementieff), the imperious Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) and apparently a role for Sylvester Stallone (so the film features both Tango and Cash). In general,B GuardiansB delivers the brightest, kitschiest take on comic books at the multiplex.
When does it open?B May 5
Whatbs it about?B A colony ship calledB The CovenantB reaches a new planet only to find that itbs already inhabited by familiar, hostile beings who donbt like to share.
Whatbs old about it?B This immediate sequel to 2012bs Prometheus is either the sixth or eighthB AlienB movie, depending on whether you count theB Alien vs. PredatorB ones. Itbs also the third directed by Ridley Scott and brings back Prometheusb Michael Fassbender as an android.
Whatbs new about it?B The other victims b I mean, actorsb include James Franco,B Fantastic Beastsb Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Carmen Ejogo and Danny McBride for comic relief.
When does it open?B May 19
Disney/Marvel
Pirates of the Caribbean:B Dead Men Tell No Tales
Whatbs it about?B Unsteady swashbuckler Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) must find the Trident of Poseidon to stop Armando Salazar (Javier Bardem), a ghost out for revenge.
Whatbs old about it?B The seriesb fifth installment brings back previous co-stars Geoffrey Rush and Orlando Bloom, and looks an awful lot like the first one,B Curse of the Black Pearl.
Whatbs new about it?B The new directorial team (Norwaybs Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg) seems to be overseeing a fresh take on the supernatural CGI effects.
When does it open?B May 26
Whatbs it about?B After a U.S. pilot (Chris Pine) crashes on a mysterious island of Amazons, Princess Diana (Gal Gadot) defies tradition and leaves for the outside world, where she becomes caught up in World War I.
Whatbs old about it?B An iconic comic book heroine dating back to 1941,B Wonder WomanB may be best known to nonfans for the 1970s TV series with Lynda Carter. Gadotbs first appearance as Wonder Woman was the highlight of last yearbsB Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Whatbs new about it?B Itbs Wonder Womanbs first big-screen star vehicle, and the pressurebs on Monster director Patty Jenkins to lighten up DC Comicsb film series after last yearbs ill-received (but financially successful)B Batman v SupermanB andB Suicide Squad. The trailers promise a fresh, feminist angle on superheroics.
When does it open?B June 2
Whatbs it about?B An American military team (lead by Tom Cruise) accidentally releases the mummy of an Egyptian princess (Sofia Boutella), who wreaks havoc on modern Europe.
Whatbs old about it?B Itbs the fourth ofB The MummyB movies since 1999, resurrecting a series that emphasizes action over horror.
Whatbs new about it?B Itbs meant to launch a Universal Monsters horror franchise and co-stars Russell Crowe as Dr. Jekyll. Future projects reportedly will star Javier Bardem as Frankenstein and Johnny Depp as The Invisible Man. Whether the continuity includes 2014bsB Dracula UntoldB isnbt entirely clear.
When does it open?B June 9
Whatbs it about?B After a shocking accident, sentient race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) considers a comeback with the help of new trainer Cruz Ramirez (Cristela Alonzo).
Whatbs old about it?B Itbs the third in Pixarbs hugely popularB CarsB trilogy, not counting shorts like b Materbs Tall Tales.b
Whatbs new about it?B New voice actors include Kerry Washington, Nathan Fillion and Lea DeLaria, but it otherwise looks like the same old model with a fresh coat of paint.
When does it open?B June 16
THUG LIFE: Demetrius Shipp Jr. portrays Tupac in “All Eyez On Me.”Quantrell Colbert
Whatbs it about?B This hip-hop biopic tracks the rapid rise and untimely end of rapper/activist Tupac Shakur (Demetrius Shipp Jr.).
Whatbs old about it?B Taking its title from Shakurbs last studio album, this recreation of hip-hop history is scheduled for release on Shakurbs 46th birthday.
Whatbs new about it?B Best known for music videos, director Benny Boom casts b The Walking Deadbsb Danai Gurira as Shakurbs mother and Jamal Woolard as Biggie Smalls. It was partially shot in Atlanta, so look out for familiar locations.
When does it open?B June 16
Whatbs it about?B The humans are fighting the Autobots b you know, the good alien robots b for some reason or another. And then Autobot leader Optimus Prime returns to attack his old allies? Say it ainbt so, Optimus!
Whatbs old about it?B Most of the human cast b including Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson b are veterans of the four previous films, with series director Michael Bay claiming this will be his fifth and final one.
Whatbs new about it?B Sir Anthony Hopkins provides exposition about Transformers that were around in medieval times and could turn into dragons and whatnot.
When does it open?B June 23
Whatbs it about?B Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler play suburban parents who run a black market casino to secretly earn college tuition for their daughter.
Whatbs old about it?B Ibm not saying Ferrell is getting up in years, but itbs been awhile since he ruled Hollywood comedies with the likes ofB AnchormanB and, uh,B Old School.
Whatbs new about it?B Itbs the directorial debut of Andrew J. Cohen, who wrote the popularB NeighborsB movies. Poehler looks like a good match with Ferrell, and the hilarious Jason Mantzoukas may have a breakout role as a would-be casino mogul.
When does it open?B June 30
TEEN DREAM: Tom Holland is the latest (and youngest) actor to play Spider-Man in this summer’s cinematic iteration of the comic book hero.Disney/Marvel
Whatbs it about?B Teenage Peter Parker (Tom Holland), aka Spider-Man, tries to balance high school demands while proving his worth as a hero to The Avengersb Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.).
Whatbs old about it?B Itbs the sixth Spider-Man movie in 15 years and, followingB Guardians, the Marvel Cinematic Universebs 16th release. We first met Hollandbs scene-stealing Spider-Man in last yearbsB Captain America: Civil War.
Whatbs new about it?B Reportedly director Jon Watts spins this as Spideybs first film to explore his life as a high schooler, citing John Hughesb 1980s comedies as a model. Co-starring Michael Keaton as the villainous Vulture, the cast includes Donald Glover and Zendaya.
When does it open?B July 7
War for the Planet of the Apes
Whatbs it about?B Following the failed truce between the human survivors and intelligent primates inB Dawn of the PlanetB of the Apes, open war threatens the survival of both species.
Whatbs old about it?B Going back to 1968, this is the ninthB Planet of the ApesB film and the third in the current cycle, afterB RiseB andB Dawn, featuring Andy Serkisb impressive motion-capture performance as the apesb sensitive leader Caesar.
Whatbs new about it?B New human characters include Woody Harrelson as a belligerent colonel and Amiah Miller as a human orphan called b Novab in a nod to the original series. Returning director Matt Reeves seems to have amped up the scale of the combat scenes.
When does it open?B July 14
Whatbs it about?B Allied soldiers surrounded by the German Army must evacuate Dunkirk beach following the disastrous Battle of France.
Whatbs old about it?B Expect an impeccable recreation of 1940 military history from Christopher Nolan (ofB InceptionB andB The Dark KnightB trilogy).
Whatbs new about it?B Actors enlisted include Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy in one of the first big Oscar contenders of 2017.
When does it open?B July 21
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Whatbs it about?B In the 28th century, peacekeepers Valerian and Laureline (Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne) take a mission to protect a space-based b cityb that contains countless alien races and environments.
Whatbs old about it?B Itbs based on a long-running French sci-fi comic book that began in 1967 but is pretty obscure in the United States. In 1997, director Luc Besson helmed the similarly eye-catchingB The Fifth Element.
Whatbs new about it?B The space operatic art direction looks absolutely astonishing b webll see if the story offers more than eye candy and Rihanna as an interstellar cabaret singer.
When does it open?B July 21
TOWER OF POWER: Idris Elba as Roland Deschain in Columbia Pictures’ “The Dark Tower.”Ilze Kitshoff
Whatbs it about?B An 11-year-old boy (Tom Taylor) from our world becomes embroiled in a conflict between a noble gunslinger (Idris Elba) and a charismatic sorcerer (Matthew McConaughey) from an alternate reality.
Whatbs old about it?B Itbs based on a long-running book series by Stephen King that debuted in the early 1980s and blurs the lines between the horror, fantasy and Western genres.
Whatbs new about it?B King has hinted that the film represents both a sequel and a reboot of the books, giving director Nikolaj Arcel permission to put his own spin on it.
When does it open?B Aug. 4
Whatbs it about?B A Detroit police raid centered on the Algiers Motel leads to one of the largest and most notorious riots in U.S. history.
Whatbs old about it?B The docudrama from Oscar-winning director Kathryn Bigelow is being released nearly 50 years to the day of the actual event.
Whatbs new about it?B StarringB The Force Awakensb John Boyega, Detroit couldnbt be more relevant to the Black Lives Matter movement and the economic plight of the titular city.
When does it open?B Aug. 4B
And:B For analysis of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and more of the great comic book stories of yesterday and today, listen to the Comics Canon podcast atB comicscanon.com, hosted by Curt Holman and Kevin Moreau.
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