5 Years, 3 Studios, 32 Movies!: 2017

So previously, I ran down the superhero movies coming out in 2016, which is going to be a huge year. Three of the six movies coming out next year feature six superhero/villains or more! That is a lot of stories to juggle, as well as a lot of set up for future movies. 2017 brings us seven (possibly eight) new superhero movies.

But first! If you noticed that the title changed (from 28 to 32 movies), then cheers to you! What happened is today, October 8, Marvel announced four new movies! First off is a sequel to this year's Ant-Man, titled Ant-Man and the Wasp (more on this film later when we get to 2018 segment). The other three films are as of now unannounced. This just means Marvel is staking out those dates (all three of which are in 2020), as to deter other studios from grabbing those dates, as well as allowing them so room to shuffle future projects around. I'll speculate more come the 2020 segment! (And I would not be surprised to see DC/WB step up with some dates of their own in response...)

So now for your 2017 films! Disclaimer, as we move forward, through 2020, each film will have less and less known about it. Speculation will ensue!

The Lego Batman Movie (February 20) Director: Chris McKay

Warner Bros. surprised the world in 2014 with the animated success, The Lego Movie, featuring an ensemble of an amazing cast and directed by the two hottest directors around, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. One of the standouts of that movie was their lego-fied version of Batman, voiced by Will Arnett. Come 2017, Lego Batman will have his very own standalone movie, featuring Michael Cera as his kid sidekick, Lego Robin, and Zach Galifianakis as his arch-nemesis, Lego Joker. This film, if the 2014 movie is any indication, will absolutely kill at the box office, further proving who DC's most important character is.

I just really enjoy Lego Batman

Untitled Wolverine Sequel (March 3) Director: James Mangold
Not much is known about FOX's sequel to the popular 2013 solo film, other than the obvious: it will star Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine. Now there are quite a few rumors surrounding this movie. First that this movie will adapt the famous comic storyline Old Man Logan. That story sees Logan traveling cross country with a blind Hawkeye. Rights issues between Marvel and FOX will limit how much of the story can be adapted, but the general idea of the story could be used. Other rumors include that Patrick Stewart will co-star as Prof. Xavier, and that Liev Schreiber will reprise his role as Logan's rival, Victor Creed. Here is to hoping that this movie is Wolverine's best, seeing that Jackman stated this would be his last as the character.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (May 5) Director: James Gunn
In 2014, Marvel surprised the world with adapting an obscure comicbook team nobody heard of and making perhaps the most popular space opera since Star Wars. Now they're bring back the whole gang for some more nonsensical fun: Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Starlord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, and Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, as well as director James Gunn. This movie promises to reveal the cosmic identity of Peter Quill's father, as well as set the stage for the cosmic portion of the next Avengers movie(s). Look for Karen Gillan (Nebula), Michael Rooker (Yondu Udonta), John C. Reilly (Corpsman Dey), and Benicio Del Toro (The Collector) to be announced to return. Plus that title is amazing!

Fantastic Four 2 (June 9) Director: ?
So, uhh, yeah. The absolute debacle that was 2015's Fantastic Four was embarrassing for FOX (you can catch up on what happened with that here). I will not at all be surprised if this movie is announced as not happening, and that FOX is moving an X-Men universe film to this spot. I only say that because with how bad the first turned out, nobody will rush out to see the sequel, yet this is a prime summer date for a studio and FOX wouldn't want to lose that. Now the only thing going for the sequel is the cast that comprises their titular heroes: Miles Teller as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, Kate Mara Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman, and Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm/Thing. Those are four highly successful actors right now, not to mention Toby Kebbell who plays the villain Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom (although he'll need a makeover for fans to be happy). My money is FOX sits on this property for seven years before deciding to make another FF movie, at which time Marvel could get the movie rights back.

Wonder Woman (June 23) Director: Patty Jenkins
From the sad to the exciting! The first female lead superhero movie since 2005 (which was Elektra, so does it really count?) stars Gal Gadot as the titular hero, otherwise known as Diana Prince. Chris Pine is also signed on to co-star as (love interest) Steve Treavor, however it is rumored that this movie will feature a different time period for each act, so my bet is Pine doesn't show up until the end of the movie. The prospect of this movie is exciting, but I will hold my excitement until I see Batman v Superman to fully understand Gadot as Wonder Woman. Here's to hoping she pulls it off! Plus having a female director should help!

Untitled Spider-Man Reboot #2 (July 28) Director: Jon Watts

Okay, so the title doesn't scream success (haha), but this is one of Marvel Studios' most exciting projects coming out over the next five years! Back in February, it was announced that SONY and Marvel would share the movie rights to Spider-Man. This allows the webslinger to appear alongside the Avengers, as well as have a character like Tony Stark appear in the solo Spider-Man film. Little is known about this film, with it having no official title and all, but we do know that Peter Parker will be a teenager in highschool, be portrayed by the young up-and-comer Tom Holland (who you might remember is first appearing in Civil War), and that his Aunt May will be played by Marisa Tomei. Now I am hoping Miles Morales (another character who played Spider-Man in the comics) makes an appearance/cameo, probably not as a webslinger, but only because his last name was teased in the Netflix series Marvel's Daredevil (which is amazing!).

Thor: Ragnarok (November 3) Director: Taika Waititi
Despite having a virtual "no name" as a director, this might be Marvel's most important film in Phase 3 leading up to The Avengers: Infinity War (Avengers 3). Chris Hemsworth returns as the titular hero, and it is rumored his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) will start the end of days known in Norse mythology as Ragnarok. Expect Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three, Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Zachary Levi) and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano), to return, as well as Heimdall (Idris Elba). Now it is unknown how much of the movie will occur on Earth, but if any of it does, expect the return of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard). If this movie does play out the "end of days" story, then the entire MCU could drastically change overnight. Very Exciting leading into 2018.

The Justice League Part One (November 17) Director: Zack Snyder

Please let this happen!

This is the event film of 2018! Marvel has made two successful Avengers movies and are leading up to their third, but now DC/WB is in the crossover event film game! After Batman v Superman sets up this world in 2016, Justice League (Part One) will bring together DC's greatest heroes against an as of now unknown threat. Staring Henry Cavill (Clark Kent/Superman), Ben Affleck (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry/Aquaman), Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman), Ray Fisher (Victor Stone/Cyborg), Ezra Miller (Barry Allen/The Flash), and maybe even a new Green Lantern. Expect this movie to make all the money!

So that is the amazing year of 2017! Could 2018 be any better?! You betcha! Stay Tuned!