There’s plenty of new movies and TV shows on the horizon to look forward to. Beyond finishing out different series like Game of Thrones, The Avengers, and Star Wars, I’ve found as many original or unique new projects that I’m looking forward to just as much if not more. Here’s my first batch of some new works that I strongly suggest you look out for:
Denis Villeneuve’s Dune (2020)
If you’re a movie fanatic like me, there’s no reason not to be excited for the latest adaptation of the monumental sci-fi novel Dune. Although the last major studio release by David Lynch pretty much fell flat, I have high hopes that Denis Villeneuve (of Sicario, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049) will do an excellent job of capturing the space-opera spirit of the novel while still keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Not to mention the cast is absolutely stellar (pun intended), with high profile as well as up-and-coming names like Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, and Zendaya attached. I see very little chance for this one to fail. I seriously hope I’m right.
Amazon Studio’s Lord of the Rings (TBD)
I was very skeptical of Amazon’s decision to adapt Lord of the Rings as a Prime original show when I first heard the announcement. Peter Jackson already knocked it out of the park with his film series, I saw little reason for a reboot. Then I heard that it would take place during The Age of Numenor, The Second Age, and my opinion changed quickly. To hear that the focus would be on the tumultuously violent age when Sauron was still physically in Middle Earth made me far more interested. The prospect of it actually exploring some of Tolkien’s unpublished ideas surrounding the lost city of Numenor is just as fascinating. I am still skeptical as further details are sparse, but I am at the very least anticipating a new and refreshing direction in the Middle Earth saga.
Steven Zaillian and Steven Spielberg’s Cortes (TBD)
From the brilliant duo behind Schindler’s List comes a four-part Amazon Prime miniseries based on an unused screenplay by the legendary Dalton Trumbo. I cannot emphasize enough how much I’m looking forward to this project. Javier Bardem has been perfectly cast as Hernan Cortes, as the four-part project will tell the story of how this ruthless Conquistador betrayed the Spanish Crown, and formed an army to annihilate The Aztec Empire. An epic premise, along with an outstanding lead actor and production team will produce what I hope to be one of the greatest miniseries of all time.
Top Gun: Maverick (2020)
I mean come on, Top Gun is a classic. It is macho hyper-masculine adrenaline-filled air-battle action at its finest. It’s silly, at times crude, and mostly less than clever in delivery. But nothing has captured the bombastic and entertaining spirit of fighter-jock culture more than Tom Cruise’s Magnum Opus. Yea the sequel will probably be just as ridiculous and shamelessly fun. But who cares: I’m ready to re-enter The Danger Zone.
Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman (2019)
A crime movie about Italian Mobsters, starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci, directed by Martin Scorsese. Need I say more?
Actually I should. Yes the premise is a formula for success. What has me concerned and morbidly curious is the fact that this film will make heavy use of advanced de-aging technology. As we’ve seen in recent films (a la Rogue One), this practice can be anywhere from incredible to unsettling. I’m really hoping for the former; if possible, I’d like to have my mind blown by seeing an O.G. Pacino and DeNiro back on the big screen. It’ll also be a benchmark for film history, being a whopping 100 million dollar Netflix exclusive.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the 9th film from Quentin Tarantino (2019)
I’ll be honest I don’t have much of an idea of what this movie is even going to be about. We have a trailer and synopses: “multiple story lines” about an actor and his stunt double during the time of the Manson family murders. That’s pretty much it, but that’s enough info to suggest that this movie will be a wild ride. The cast is awesome, with Leo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt (basically Robert Redford at this point) taking center stage. What’s most intriguing to me is the rest of the cast, who’ve been assigned hilarious and uncanny roles: Margot Robbie is Sharon Tate, Damian Lewis is Steve McQueen, Mike Moh is Bruce Lee (as seen in the trailer), the list goes on and on. Quentin Tarantino is methodical to a vicious degree in his direction, and I’m sure Once Upon a Time in Hollywood will continue the zany legacy of his film anthology.
Avatar 2-27 (2020-????)
Nearly 10 years after James Cameron’s Avatar have passed, and I think we all realize that while definitely a feat of technological film making, it’s not as good as everyone once thought it was. That doesn’t mean I’m not interested to see the direction the franchise is going. Even hearing all the press releases for this movie is mind boggling, like the amount of times the number of sequels have changed, to some ridiculous rumored titles corresponding to them (I guess one will be called The Seed Bearer???). It’s clear the cogs in Jame’s Cameron’s brain have been grinding for years, and I can only hope that all his efforts will pay off. However, I have my doubts…
Bill and Ted 3: Face the Music (2020)
My dudes, strange things are afoot at the Hollywood Bowl. Just recently, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter have formally announced the most unprecedented return of Bill Preston and Ted Logan to the big screen. What will it be about? I don’t know. I also don’t care. Because, no matter what, I know with 10,000% certainty that it will, indeed, be a most bodacious and truly excellent comeback.
Rambo V: Last Blood (2020)
All good things must come to an end, and thankfully Sly Stallone realizes this. To be honest, more than anything I’m interested in the premise for the final film: this time, John Rambo will have to travel to Mexico to rescue a friend’s daughter who has been kidnapped by a cartel. No it’s certainly not an original plot, but a neo-western cowboy premise for a Rambo film seems unique enough to be interesting. I hope that, while Rambo has come to be known as a macho action series in the same vein as Die Hard, the final film will be just as emotionally satisfying as the first.
