Happy New Year (ok, ok, almost a month late) Big Fanboys and Fangirls!  The BFB crew are back once again to wrap up 2015’s comic book-related movie goodness and then turn our sights to 2016.  Before we begin, here are BFB’s reviews of 2015’s comic related films:

1. KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE Here
2. AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Here
3. ANT-MAN Here and Here
4. FANTASTIC FOUR Here
5. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Here

2015 was, by the standards of the years to come, a relatively light offering of comic book related films.  We had only 5 this year, although, to be honest, we were originally going to be getting BATMAN V. SUPERMAN in the summer of 2015, but we all know how that panned out.  DC and Warner Bros made their move to 2016 and unveiled their master plans for the DC Movie Universe.

If I had to sum up the year, I would have to say that it was the year of surprises.  Both KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE and ANT-MAN were two movies that people assumed would be “ok”, but very few were able to predict how beloved these two would be with both audiences and critics.  So it comes as no surprise that both films have a sequel set, for 2017 and 2018 respectively.

ANT-MAN was such a surprise and shows that behind-the-scenes drama and the departure of Edgar Wright can still result in a great product.  It had heart, humor and a smaller, more personal story which was a welcome change from the “end-of-the-world” scenarios we see so much in our comic book films.  But where Marvel and team were able to overcome the drama, 20th Century Fox and Josh Trank were not so lucky.  FANTASTIC FOUR (or is it FANT4STIC?) will go down in history as one of the most disjointed, disappointing films in quite a long time.  When the original low-budget Roger Corman FANTASTIC FOUR is more entertaining and more coherent than your 2015 big-budget affair, there is a serious misstep (or misteps) that has taken place.  The only shining light is that this may be the film that ultimately leads to Fox letting the Fantastic Four go back to Marvel. The Fantastic Four, or more specifically their villains and side characters (Galactus, Silver Surfer, Dr. Doom, Annihilus, etc.) would make a great path for the MCU to take post-INFINITY WAR.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON was a definite success for the Marvel brand and a thoroughly entertaining flick.  I think a lot of people were surprised that it didn’t share the same success that the original AVENGERS did back in 2012, but grossing $1.3+ billion is not a shabby return.  A:AOU was always going to be somewhat of a letdown from its predecessor.  The original film was groundbreaking and fresh.  It was going to be impossible to recapture that feeling again, but director Joss Whedon did a fantastic job in delivering another complex tale while also introducing and expanding the list of characters in the MCU, most notably the additions of Vision and Scarlet Witch who will continue on in future stories.

Finally, we come to STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.  What can be said that hasn’t already been said?  The film was fun, nostalgic and gave most fans what they wanted to see.  Much like A:AOU, there were always going to be detractors, those that would get their expectations higher than possible, but this movie proved to us that STAR WARS was back in capable hands.  Without going to any spoilers in case you are one of the 3 people on Earth who haven’t seen the movie, this movie delivers a unique villain, a reunion of our classic heroes and plenty of new characters to help us propel this universe forward for more generations.  This shows that Kathleen Kennedy and the folks at Disney have great respect for the franchise which gives us great hope for the future movies (and boy there are a lot on the way).

But enough about 2015. Let’s look at 2016.

In this article, I, Jim Cassidy , along with Bigfanboy.com head-honcho Mark Walters and America’s sweetheart Devin Pike, will take a look at the comic book related movies that will (hopefully) entertain us in the year ahead.

IN ORDER BY RELEASE DATE:

DEADPOOL

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Release Date: February 12, 2016
MPAA:  R for strong violence and language throughout, sexual content and graphic nudity.
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX 3D
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese
Director: Tim Miller

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Gina Carano, Ed Skrein, Brianna Hildebrand

Synopsis: Based upon Marvel Comics’ most unconventional anti-hero, “Deadpool” tells the origin story of former Special Forces operative turned mercenary Wade Wilson, who after being subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopts the alter ego Deadpool. Armed with his new abilities and a dark, twisted sense of humor, Deadpool hunts down the man who nearly destroyed his life.

Mark: It’s a character most comic fans love, but lately he’s developed such a rabid fan base that it almost feels like (as a normal comic book fan) it’s no longer cool to like him. Despite that, Ryan Reynolds has been so passionate about pushing this film and genuinely seems to enjoy being a part of it, I almost want to root for him out of respect for his attitude toward the material. Plus after the abomination that was GREEN LANTERN, the dude deserves a second chance. The real test will be seeing if an R-rated Marvel superhero works as a movie, and whether or not unsuspecting parents end up walking out mad after their kids talk them into it.

Devin: When the effects test for Reynolds’ version of The Merc snuck onto the Web, I knew this movie would get made. Seeing how much love there is for the source material from the creative team – and how much leeway FOX has given Tim Miller to do it their way – makes me wonder if the KICK-ASS experiment actually worked.

Jim: YES!

YES YES YES YES YES!

Look, this is the film that Ryan Reynolds was born to star in and he has been rehearsing for since VAN WILDER.  I’ve always been a fan of the character and I’m glad that Fox took off the restrictions of Tim Miller and gang and let them go hard R.  Now, will that gamble pay off at the box office or will we get another DREDD?  A great film that didn’t connect in the theaters.  Only a short time will tell.  I know that I will be there opening day.

And Mark?  If it is no longer cool to like DP, then I formally turn in my cool guy membership card.

 

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

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Release Date: March 25, 2016
MPAA:  PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality.
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Chris Terrio, David S. Goyer
Director: Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, Gal Gadot

Synopsis: Fearing the actions of a god-like Super Hero left unchecked, Gotham City’s own formidable, forceful vigilante takes on Metropolis’s most revered, modern-day savior, while the world wrestles with what sort of hero it really needs. And with Batman and Superman at war with one another, a new threat quickly arises, putting mankind in greater danger than it’s ever known before.

Mark: I liked MAN OF STEEL, even if it was heavy on the disaster porn, so I’m anxious to see Zack Snyder’s take on Superman continue. That said, I’m afraid this movie is going to try packing way too much into one film. It’s Warner Bros. reacting to the success of THE AVENGERS, and rushing their JUSTICE LEAGUE movie. If the rumors are true and they’re cramming all the JLA heroes into this already crowded story, it has the potential to be a bloated mess. Still, the idea of finally seeing Batman putting Supes into a hurt locker on the big screen is enough to guarantee I’ll be there opening day.

Devin: I should be excited for this movie. I almost feel guilty for not being more jazzed up for it. When it was announced at SDCC two years ago, I was actually outside Hall H working on a project, when my phone *blew up* with people screaming in glee for it. Now, we’re seeing the first trailers for it, and it just seems so … flat. It’s the antithesis of DEADPOOL, where the fun and love for the material seems sucked out in the pursuit of making an “adult” superhero series out of the DC “Multiverse.” As a geek, I’m duty-bound to watch it, but Snyder has a lot of work to do. (I am looking forward to seeing Affleck kick ass as Bruce Wayne – if for no other reason than to see all of the kneejerk fanboys eat their words on how they miscast Batman. Again. Like they do EVERY TIME Batman is recast.)

Jim: It’s Superman…… and Batman in the same movie.  Am I excited?  Hell yeah I am.  This movie, if nothing else, is sure to be a visual treat.  Will the story hold up over extended viewings?  Who knows.  I know this may seem shallow to say, but I don’t really care at this point.  I just want to see these two slug it out and I want it done convincingly.  I’m not one of these loyalists who has to stick with one studio or one brand and spew vitriol at the competing studio like I have some financial gain in the game.  I want a DCCU that is as entertaining as the MCU.  MAN OF STEEL was officially the first movie of this combined universe, but BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE is the film that will show us if this will all work.  Some of the decisions I’ve seen in the trailers have me scratching my head, but you can be sure that I will be forking over my money on Day 1 to see if this is the start of something special.  I really, really hope so.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR

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Release Date: May 6, 2016
MPAA: not yet rated
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Starring: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Emily VanCamp, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Daniel Brühl

Synopsis: Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability.

Mark: Cap is my favorite Marvel character, so I’m definitely excited, but the rather ambitious storyline that crams all the Marvel movie heroes together feels a little risky, especially considering we’ve got two AVENGERS movies hitting right after this.  I’m also a little worried about how they’re adjusting Mark Millar’s story from the comics, as it has the potential to not flow as well.  The comic story for CIVIL WAR was epic and worked well within the comic universe, but this is different.  I guess it all depends on if they follow it through and kill off Cap, as they’ve certainly set things up for that to happen.  These Marvel movies really need a big and definitive death to give some weight to the proceedings, and this could be the one to do it.

Devin: I’m ignoring the majority of the trailers for CIVIL WAR, because the Russo Brothers have proven they really like saving the massive twists for the screen with THE WINTER SOLDIER. Marvel knows we can’t resist Rogers and Stark duking it out, but something tells me that’s not the whole story. As big of a character slate as we get for this flick, I’m almost sad this isn’t an official AVENGERS movie. Not that it matters – I’m all in.

Jim: Occasionally, when writing an article like this, you find that you say a lot of the same words over and over.  So I looked up synonyms for excited:  

thrilled · exhilarated · animated · enlivened · electrified · enraptured · intoxicated · feverish · adrenalized · enthusiastic · high · high as a kite · fired up · aflutter · psyched

I am so high as a kite for this movie, it’s intoxicating.

X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

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Release Date: May 27, 2016
MPAA: not yet rated
Presentation: not yet released
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Simon Kinberg
Director: Bryan Singer

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, Ben Hardy

Synopsis: Following the critically acclaimed global smash hit “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” director Bryan Singer returns with “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

Mark: Bring it on.  Singer and X-MEN make a pretty safe match, and there’s something very exciting to me about finally seeing the mutants in a 1980s setting.  In many ways this is kind of the perfect way to do a reboot/sequel, as now they can re-introduce characters we know without taking away from some of the previous interpretations.  I’m a little nervous about how they’ll handle Apocalypse, but I trust Singer will make it work.  And hey, we finally get Psylocke and Jubilee, so that’s cool.

Devin: Oscar Issac’s “Cinema Domination” tour continues. Fassbinder’s Magneto gets even more power. McAvoy goes bald. The world is, yet again, on the brink of annihilation, and all I can do is wonder how important it was for FOX to get this movie out as far away from INFINITY WAR as they could.

Jim: I’ve consistently enjoyed the X-Verse at Fox, even if there have been some missteps along the way.  While I enjoyed many of the earlier ones, especially X2, some of the more recent fare, specifically from FIRST CLASS up until now (including THE WOLVERINE) have been my absolute favorites of the franchise.  This appears to be another entry into Singer’s cinematic version of the X-Men (trust me, the more you try and distance yourself from comparing the movies to the comics, the better the films become) that will delight audiences.  I’m sure Oscar Issac’s Apocalypse is going to be terrific, but I’m still having a hard time getting past his appearance.  Is it me, or does he look different (slightly) in the latest trailer than he did in the original trailer?  It is almost as if the production team listened to the whiny cries of fanboys and girls the world over and made adjustments to his look.  Some might say that our first look at him was unfinished.  In a trailer, I could understand that, but when you do a magazine preview and you release production photos, you do so with a finished look.  Oh well, I’ve rambled on long enough.  In short I have to believe that this will be another satisfying, even if it isn’t groundbreaking, entry into the ever growing legion of comic book films.

SUICIDE SQUAD

Official Website (none yet)

Release Date: August 5, 2016
MPAA: Not Yet Rated
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Action, Adventure
Screenwriters: Not Yet Released
Director: David Ayer

Starring: Will Smith, Jay Hernandez, Jared Leto, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Viola Davis, Adam Beach, Common , Ike Barinholtz, Joel Kinnaman, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Raymond Olubowale

Synopsis: Based on the legendary “Task Force X,” better known as “Suicide Squad.” Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru back in 1959, the team has included countless DC villains among its ranks.

Mark: I feel like I need to boost this up more than normal just to subside Devin’s irrational hate below.  Let’s face it, superhero fare is overdone, so the idea of making a film about the deadliest supervillains as a team… why not?  It’s proven itself to be very popular as a comic book, and the best part about the film is the mixture of established staple characters with others most have no pre-conceptions about.  Marvel was smart making a GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY movie, taking a little-known comic franchise with low to no audience expectation, and this could be DC’s equivalent of that for the big screen.  Jared Leto as The Joker intrigues me, and when current Harley Quinn creators Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner sign off on their love of Margot Robbie’s interpretation of the popular psychotic hottie, that’s good enough for me.  The most important part of this equation is David Ayer, who should be able to bring a gritty and unnerving style to the proceedings, and hopefully deliver a comic book movie that will turn all others on their heads.

Devin: I wasn’t that impressed with this flick to begin with. The assembly of DC’s Finest Villains just doesn’t move my meter. Then, we get the marketing and the trailers, and I cannot believe how low my interest is. DC needs to have every step in their nascent DC Multiverse film series work, and this just does not look like it’ll work. Walters thinks this will be the surprise hit of the year. I do not.

Okay.

OKAY.

Just saw the first full trailer. And it showed me something none of the other pieces of marketing so far has been able to: actual hope that this is a decent flick. If the film has the same tone that this trailer did, then it proves two things – that David Ayer isn’t beholden to WB/DC’s sourpuss superhero mindset; and Margot Robbie will steal this movie like she stole your bike.

Jim: Much like DEADPOOL and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, I’m always for a movie that thinks outside the box, especially if it looks like it is done well.  For this genre to continue, the studios are going to have to start thinking out side the box and find ways to make smaller or lesser-known properties viable for the big screen.  The first bit of marketing, especially that first picture, made me worry.  On one hand, Margot Robbie looked fantastic as Harley, but Adewale looked absolutely horrendous as Killer Croc.  Since then, from the SDCC teaser trailer, to the just released trailer and posters, I’m absolutely sold on this one.  I’m interested to see how this one is going to fit into the larger DCCU (DC Cinematic Universe).

And Devin?  Margot Robbie can steal my bike anytime she wants.

GAMBIT

Official Website (none yet)

Release Date: October 7, 2016
MPAA: not yet rated
Presentation: not yet available
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Josh Zetumer
Director: Doug Liman

Starring: Channing Tatum, Lea Seydoux

Synopsis: Channing Tatum will play the X-Men character Gambit. He will debut in 2016’s “X-Men: Apocalypse” right before appearing in his own solo spin-off film. Created by Chris Claremont and Jim Lee in 1990, the New Orleans native mutant quickly became a fan favorite due to his kinetic energy manipulation abilities and penchant for stealing. The character’s only big screen appearance to date (outside his name being featured as an Easter egg in “X2”) was in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” played by Taylor Kitsch.

Mark: Honestly, I think this is one of those characters that works well in the comics, but likely isn’t going to translate that well as a movie.  Even used sparingly in that WOLVERINE movie, it never wowed me much.  A lot of this will depend on Tatum, and whether or not he can pull it off.  There’s a lot of layers to this role – the accent, the physicality, and origins… it’s going to be a challenge, and if he doesn’t pull it off the whole thing could unravel.  I really think it’s a mistake to not introduce the character (again) in one of the X-MEN movies first and then see if audiences take to him.  I could be wrong; I just get a bad feeling here.

Devin: Yawn. Next?

Jim: Ok, let’s just address the elephant in the room.  This movie isn’t coming out this year.  It hasn’t even started production and won’t start until March.  That means, if Fox is going to stick to their current release schedule, they will have roughly 6 months to fart this film out.  It ain’t gonna happen.  Even Simon Kinberg has said that this film will get pushed, but that being said, it is still on the books for this year which means we talk about it.  The idea of Gambit, can work for a film, but his costume won’t.  A womanizing, cajun, criminal anti-hero with a nice visual flair can definitely work on screen, but it has to be done right or else we are looking at another Fox groanfest (looking at the FANT4STIC).  I will give them a small benefit of the doubt for four reasons:  

• Fox does seem to be focusing their efforts on the X-Men universe and they are desperately looking for a leading man replacement for Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine which means they need to get this right
  .
  
• Channing Tatum has proven that he has been putting a lot of focus on becoming a solid actor.  If you haven’t seen his performance in FOXCATCHER, I highly recommend it.
  .
  
• The Marketing and Trailers for DEADPOOL have already showed that Fox is trying to make amends for their sins of the past.  Gambit was a throwaway character in X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE.  While he wasn’t as much of a travesty as DP, he definitely could have been better.
  .
• Doug Liman thoroughly entertained me with EDGE OF TOMORROW, another film that many people dismissed when it was first announced because it was just “GROUNDHOG DAY GOES TO WAR”

That being said, we literally know nothing about the film and have no idea what the tone will be.  And by the looks of things, we won’t until next year.  Looks like you are going to have to give your lengthy preview again next year Devin.

DOCTOR STRANGE

Official Website (none yet)

Release Date: November 4, 2016
MPAA: not yet rated
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Comic Book
Screenwriters: Joshua Oppenheimer, Thomas Dean Donnelly, Jon Spaihts
Director: Scott Derrickson

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Scott Adkins, Amy Landecker

Synopsis: “Doctor Strange” follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions. “Doctor Strange” is the latest film in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 3’s goal—over the course of four years and nine films—is to introduce audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites.

Mark: Great cast, cool character, and we need a new solo hero franchise for Marvel as the existing characters are getting a little over-exposed it seems.  I can’t wait for the introduction of “magic” into the Marvel movie universe, which we saw lightly utilized by Scarlet Witch in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON.  What I love most is how great Benedict Cumberbatch looks as the character, like he walked right off the page.  It’s a role I wasn’t sure would translate visually, but man does it ever look awesome.

Devin: The MCU gets magical. I’m sincerely glad they were able to get Cumberbatch to sign on the dotted line for Strange, because I think we’d be hard pressed to find anyone else in that generation of actors that would bring this level of gravitas the role requires. (C’mon. Admit it. When it was even rumoured as being a done deal, tell me you didn’t think “..m’eyp. That’s the right call.”)

Jim: So I have a confession.  I was never much of a Doctor Strange fan in the comics.  I have another confession.  I wasn’t an Iron Man, Captain America, Black Panther, Avengers, etc. fan in the comics either.  I was a X-Men and Cosmic fan.  Why do I bring that up?  Because, even though I leaned toward the X-Men in print form, I am much more of a fan of the MCU (Avengers, etc.) than I am the Foxverse.  So the idea of a magical, mystical MCU movie with an amazing cast and trippy effects is a definite buy in my book.

 

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY

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Release Date: December 16, 2016
MPAA: not yet rated
Presentation: 3D/2D theaters and IMAX
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Lucasfilm
Genre: Action, Animation, Sci-Fi
Screenwriters: Chris Weitz, Gary Whitta
Director: Gareth Edwards

Starring: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Riz Ahmed

Synopsis: A rogue band of resistance fighters unite to steal the Death Star plans and bring new hope to the galaxy. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” takes place before the events of “Star Wars: A New Hope” and will be a departure from the saga films but have elements that are familiar to the Star Wars universe, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining that essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know.

Mark: This will be an interesting test, as it’s the first STAR WARS movie outside of an ongoing story and the first without familiar characters to anchor it.  This is where we’ll truly see if the STAR WARS brand sells a movie, just because it’s in the same universe.  That said, the cast is phenomenal, and the story itself seems intriguing enough as a one-off tale, so I’m cautiously optimistic.  And putting it out late in the year could help a lot too, as that obviously ended up being a really smart move for EPISODE VII.

Devin: I’m a dead-flat sucker for heist movies. When done correctly, they’re a delicious blend of a great cast, snappy writing, and enough twists and turns to make anyone dizzy. Knowing ROGUE ONE is a STAR WARS heist movie is enough to get me in the door, gleefully on Opening Day. The trick, now, is seeing how well Kathleen Kennedy and the Lucasfilm crew did with choosing the first director (Gareth Edwards) and writer (Chris Weitz) to play in the STAR WARS sandbox outside an “Episode” framework. And, sweet Christmas, look at that cast. Once again, a STAR WARS movie overshadows everything on the calendar.

Jim: I’ve been a fan of Star Wars for as long as I can remember.  One of my favorite movie going experiences as a child was seeing RETURN OF THE JEDI.  I even used to pretend I was the Rancor and my bucket of popcorn was filled with Gamorrean Guards.  Yes, yes, I know.  After the prequels, I wasn’t sure if we would ever get anymore Star Wars films.  I thought we would be relegated to animated shows and video games for our Star Wars fix.  Then Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney and suddenly the future was bright again.  When J.J. came aboard I was even more thrilled and then the story details started to come out.  I was excited beyond belief.  Knowing that we have a brand new trilogy to look forward to was just something that was hard for me to comprehend.  But sure enough, THE FORCE AWAKENS comes out and I was blown away.  I loved it.  It was what I wanted a new Star Wars movie to be.  But now we have these Star Wars Stories “side-bar” movies.  Events that either tie into, enhance or elaborate on the backstories that we see in the main trilogy of trilogies.  I couldn’t be much happier and to echo Devin’s sentiments above, I always enjoy a good heist movie.  Now a Star Wars Heist Movie?  I’ve got a good feeling about this!!

So there you have it folks.  That’s our breakdown of the upcoming comic book related films of 2016, all 8 of them.  Which ones are you highly anticipating?  Which ones are you dreading?  Which one do you think will rule the box office this year?

Sound off below and let us know and remember, be kind… share us on Facebook and Twitter!

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