Upcoming Films That Will Have Me Watching

We have had many films to be released so far this year, but upcoming films have already begun to capture my attention. From the next installments of well-known movies, to our favorites books coming to life on the big screen, we have several options for what we'll brave the masses to see. Along with movies and book-turned-movies that we are familiar with, there are also many new ideas floating around Hollywood being introduced to the silver screen. Along with these new ideas, old fairy tales with a dark twist have taken their place as one of the newest fads for productions. After stumbling upon many upcoming film titles, I've found many that I'm particularly excited about their appearance on the silver screen. So pay attention, because these films will be some you won't want to miss.

(Photo from movieweb.com)

   
    One of the 'new idea' type movies nearest to its' release date would be the sci-fi Cowboys and Aliens. To be released July 29, Cowboys and Aliens has three big names making an appearance in this film's credits such as Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, among other credits), Olivia Wilde (the Fox television series House, The Next Three Days, Tron: Legacy), and Daniel Craig (Casino Royal). As you may have guessed from the title, aliens make contact with early 1873 century cowboys. The protagonist, Jake Lonergan (Craig), wakes up with no knowledge of his past, as well as a weird shackle on his wrist. He comes to a town and is informed that he is a notorious outlaw and is wanted for his many crimes. The way I see it, this movie could go one of two ways: either it will blow us away with it's originality, or it will crash and burn from it's originality (a. k. a., be a dud). This film is definitely going against the grain of what other productions have been putting out for our entertainment lately. A new trend? Or will you fall asleep and wake up with no knowledge of why you went to see that movie? Well, we'll have to wait a few weeks, and then we shall see.

(Photo from totalfilm.com) Love her makeup.

    Speaking of trends, the release of Alice In Wonderland and Red Riding Hood were the firsts of the fairytale-turned-film fad, but there are many other favorite stories that are coming to life on the screen. Some of these include two installments of Snow White (hmmm...a battle of storyline? Perhaps not, more to come on these two films), Jack the Giant Killer, and Hansel and Gretel, among others. The two Snow White films (both to be released next June), seems to have already gotten people talking. One, a darker retelling titled Snow White and the Huntsmen, is the first of a trilogy currently in pre-production. This film follows the original with the classic Snow White look (dark-haired, fair-skinned), but maybe this collaboration holds more bite: Kristen Stewart, Twilight's leading lady, portrays the protagonist. And as for the Huntsman, Johnny Depp, Viggo Mortensen, and Hugh Jackman all turned down the role (come on, Viggo! You haven't done a lot lately.), but Thor star Chris Hemsworth was reportedly interested in the role. Maybe a new face would be more appropriate? Lily Cole also takes part in the production by playing a character named Greta (who the heck is that? It's been a while since I've thought about Snow White, but I didn't think it'd been THAT long...geez). This one I'm really looking forward to, though, even if I can't remember all the characters.
    As for the other Snow White (titled Snow White and the Seven Dwarves) is concerned, I can't uncover much on it yet. All I know is that Lily Collins (not to be confused with Lily COLE, from the other Snow White, but who is not Snow White, but who instead plays that character I've never heard of) is to play Snow White, and Julia Roberts takes the role of the evil queen. This one's storyline seems to be based more on the original in the sense that Snow White joins forces with the seven dwarves against the evil stepmother who killed Snow White's father. Honestly, I'm more excited about Snow White and the Huntsman. It looks like it's a little darker and a little more exciting. But when release dates roll around, I might be completely wrong and I  change my mind. But alas, we will have to wait a few months and see how this revelry of Snow White will turn out. So, who's really the fairest of them all?

(Photo from blogspot.com)

     Ahhhh, one of my personal most anticipated book-turned-movies: City of Bones from the Mortal Instruments series. The books are by far one of the best things I've ever read (which is saying something cause I read a lot and have very high expectations for what I read), they have everything: action, romance, comedy, drama, what else could a girl want? Oh yeah, she could desperately want Jace Wayland not to be freakin' fiction!!! Thanks Cassandra Claire, let girls dream of the unrealistic expectation that any of us will EVER find a guy like that. Humph. Anyhoo, the storyline follows Clary Fray as she is introduced into an entirely different world that she never even knew existed. A world that consists of werewolves, vampires, demons, fairies, warlocks and a breed of people called the Nephilim (often called Shadow hunters), that of which angel blood runs through their veins. Also in that world lives Jace Wayland, an arrogant, quick-mouthed (umm, and hot), teen-aged Shadow hunter, who has any girl he meets wrapped around his finger (those fingers also play piano. Who doesn't like a musician?), but he doesn't date often. So the story is about those two and their many acquaintances, some friends, some enemies, also, frenemies. I can NOT wait for these movies to hit theaters! Lily Collins (yeah, the girl who's in Snow White, but doesn't play Snow White, who instead plays that character I've never heard of who's name is Greta.) plays Clary, but I was really hoping Molly Quinn (ABC's Castle) would get the role. That's who I pictured, but oh well. Lily, you better perform to my expectations! And the much coveted role of Jace Wayland goes to....drum role, please.... uhh, they don't know yet. I want Alex Pettyfer (Alex Rider, I Am Number Four, Beastly)!! I. Love. Him (and as his future wife I feel the need to see him in the role of one of my favorite characters.). He was offered the role, but no word yet as to if he has accepted. Ooohhh I hope he does! *sigh* See?? He just took my breath away. I really hopes he takes the role. I REALLY hope. But once I know for sure, you all will be the first I tell, oh millions of my closest friends. Man, I hope he takes the role. Do any of you agree or do you have another Jace in mind? I'm having a hard time coming up with another one, but if any of you do, feel free to comment, and in a later blog I will post the favorites.

(Photo from hungergamestriligy.net)

    And the last two book-turned-movies I'm keeping my eye on: First up, The Hunger Games. They are about a future America that hosts an annual Hunger Games Competition where they pit teenagers against each other in the Arena til there is only one left alive. Sounds grusome, but it has this storyline that will really tug at your heart. Yes, it is intense, but action-packed and a page turner! Hopefully the film will do it justice. It's set to come out March 23 of next year, and the cast includes Jennifer Lawrence (X-men First Class, and she guest-starred on Monk!), Josh Hutcherson (Bridge to Terebithia, Journey to the Center of the Earth), and Liam Hemsworth (Thor dude's brother), among others names. I'm expecting this soundtrack to be ah-mazing. Time will only tell, of course.
   

(Photo from wkimedia.com)

  

    And my final book-turned-movie is...Wings! The book series is about a girl, Laural (I think) who learns that she is connected to a world of fairies, and of her struggle with learning who she is. And yes, there's a guy. Two actually. One a normal, human boy, but the other is of the fairy world. I personally like fairy boy myself. But I'm a little worried about the movie: Miley Cyrus is to play the lead. Grrrrr. NOOOOO!!! No offense to Miley, but I don't see how fairies are right for her in any way. I pictured a more Taylor Swift type person, because the protagonist is suposed to be tall and blonde! Oh well, it is what it is. I just hope it turns out as good as the books. We shall see.

     




     And for those of us who saw Transformers, we got to see the trailer of... Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocal! I am very much looking forward to this movie, which is the fourth installment of the MI film franchise. Along with Tom Cruise (duhh), Josh Holloway (Lost) is in it! I'm so excited to see that man in something else! After Lost finished at the end of its' sixth season, I didn't know what he'd do next, but here he is! Mr. Holloway plays Trevor Hanaway, whom I have no idea what side he's on, who he is, or what he does. Fortunatly, this film is to be released December 16, 2011, so we won't have to wait much longer. Can't you just hear the theme song?

   Speaking of Lost stars, Evangeline Lilly is to play an elf in The Hobbit. Yay! More Lost folk (I'm a Lostee in case you couldn't tell). This film, based on the novel, is set to come out next year. And lucky for us, a picture was released yesterday (wow, good timing) of dwarves. That's right, dwarves. Not hobbits, not elves, dwarves. But that's ok, cause well get to see all the rest of them when the movie comes out. But bam! Here's the picture anyway! Don't they just look so happy?

(Photo from screenrant.com)

That seems to be the majority of the upcoming films that have captured my attention, but unquestionably, I will surely think of others that I simply must share with my million closest friends. And we all know what comes with movies: Soundtracks! Red carpet premieres! The excitement that captures our hearts, and gives us a glint in our eyes when we walk into that theater. Ahh, the smell of popcorn, the buzz of anticipation....the realization half way through the movie that you really have to make a bathroom trip but you don't want to miss a moment of the action so you hold it until the end credits then you can make the dash for the ladies' room...or, ahh, maybe that one's just me. Happy movie viewing!