There will be no topping 2012’s host of powerhouse films anytime soon, but 2013 has its own collection of promising offerings. Let’s take a look at some of the most anticipated movies for Summer 2013.
Oblivion
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the man behind Tron: Legacy, Oblivion promises an intriguing premise, powerful visuals, suspense, twists, and plenty of futuristic action. The studio executives even said that Oblivion was one of the best scripts they had ever seen.
Release Date: April 19
Iron Man 3
After a less-than-stellar Iron Man 2, the follow-up to the blockbuster smash success Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. and the gang are hoping to ride the wave that The Avengers started. It looks like we’re getting lots of sparks between Tony Stark and Pepper Pots and, in addition to that delightful duo, the cast will include Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, and Ben Kingsley, all excellent actors in their own right. Iron Man 3 promises to take Tony Stark to the limit, but one thing’s for sure: this won’t be Iron Man’s last adventure.
Release Date: May 3
The Great Gatsby
With a powerhouse cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, and Joel Edgerton and a fresh spin on the meaning of period piece, it looks like this could be a great movie that might not show it at the box office. For those of us who haven’t read the book, the trailer doesn’t provide a clear, compelling plot, and even more perplexing is that it was pushed back from a late December 2012 release (where it would have had trouble competing with Django Unchained and Les Miserables), and is now sandwiched between some of the biggest blockbusters of 2013. Director Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge) reunites with DiCaprio (Romeo + Juliet) in what looks to be a fascinating adaption.
Release Date: May 10
Star Trek: Into Darkness
J.J. Abrams has already mastered the art of making fun, yet ridiculously intense and suspenseful, action movies. It looks as if Star Trek Into Darkness could be as frenetic as anything we’ve seen from him, and the much-talked about villain (played by Benedict Cumberpatch, of Sherlock fame) seems ever-more terrifying with the posting of each new trailer. Chris Pine (Kirk) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) return, along with the rest of the Enterprise gang in this sequel to 2009’s reboot of the storied franchise.
Release Date: May 17
The Hangover: Part III
They’re back and as smashed as ever.
Release Date: May 24
Now You See Me
This looks like The Prestige meets Inception, (minus Christopher Nolan’s cinematic flair), and even includes Michael Caine, alongside Morgan Freeman, Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, and Mark Ruffalo. Promises lots of twists and fun. Count me in.
Release Date: May 31
After Earth
After a few disasters, M. Night Shayamalan returns with a film that seems to be a world apart from his suspense-thrillers of old. Will Smith and his son Jayden star in the summer’s other futuristic film set on an Earth that is devoid of human civilization. Killer creatures and abnormal weather conditions look to push the father-son survival narrative. Thematically, it looks to be something like The Happening. Let’s hope that doesn’t overshadow what could be a compelling film.
Release Date: June 7
Man of Steel
The Superman saga has been struggling to find a way to connect with audiences. It took producer Christopher Nolan’s mind and director Zachary Snyder’s vision to deliver what looks to be as epic and compelling a superhero film we have ever seen. The cinematography is masterful. The writing (script by David S. Goyer of Batman Begins fame) seems to capture the weight of this origins story, starring Henry Carvill as Clark. Add Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne, and I think we can go ahead and guarantee that this will be a great film, perhaps even groundbreaking in the superhero genre.
Release Date: June 14
Monsters University
It’s been 12 years since the original Monsters Inc., but with Toy Story 3, we found out that animated sequels made many years after the originals can still be successful both in terms of box office and quality. It may be an uphill battle to top the emotion of Toy Story 3, but Monsters University should find a wide audience across all age groups.
Release Date: June 21
World War Z
There can never be enough zombie movies, right? World War Z looks it could be a solid entry into the genre, with zombies of the fast-moving and havoc-wreaking variety. From director Marc Forster, whose work ranges from Finding Neverland and Stranger Than Fiction to Quantum of Solace and Machine Gun Preacher.
Release Date: June 21
Despicable Me 2
Gru, the girls, and Minions are back in this follow-up to the 2009 film. Steve Carell returns, in addition to a fresh plot, and plenty more of the cute humor. So far, so good!
Release Date: July 3
Lone Ranger
An adaptation of the classic radio drama, Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango), producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and Johnny Depp reunite once again, enlisting Armie Hammer and Helen Bonham Carter in what looks to be in the same vein as the Pirate movies: Action-packed, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Lone Ranger is unlikely to produce the kind of smash-hit success that Pirates generated, but don’t be surprised to see sequels if it scores strongly at the international box office.
Release Date: July 3
Pacific Rim
Transformers meets Cloverfield? Voltron vs Godzilla? Hey, with Gueillermo del Toro directing, why not?
Release Date: July 12
The Wolverine
Hugh Jackman returns as Logan/The Wolverine in James Mangold’s (Walk The Line, 3:10 to Yuma) version of the most-recognizable X-Men character. This time, it seems that Logan’s encounter with an old friend puts his immortality on the line. Set in Japan.
Release Date: July 26
Which film are you looking forward to most this summer?
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