Monday, January 14, 2013

The Two Years War

     2015 is two years away, but Hollywood is filling up the schedule. Right now that schedule is absolutely ridiculous. 2015 is shaping up to be the highest grossing year ever and could maybe bring back attendance.
     Star Wars 7, Pirates of the Caribbean 5, The Avengers 2, Justice League, Ant-Man, Penguins of Madagascar, Hunger Games- Mockingjay Part 2, an untitled Pixar film, Peanuts (Charlie Brown), The Smurfs 3, Hotel Transylvania 2, The Inside Out (Pixar), and Fantastic Four are some titles announced so far. Sequels to 2013's biggest hits may eye a 2015 spot as well. Some titles may be delayed, but as of now they all stand.
     Star Wars, Avengers 2, Justice League. How are all these movies going to fit? Is Ant-Man going to become the next Iron Man? Will Hunger Games be tired and worn out by 2015 or will Mockingjay 2 be so big that Suzanne Collins will write another book just to keep it going? We will find out in two years.
     My biggest question mark is Pirates 5. Curse of the Black Pearl was a surprise hit in 2003 and went on to become #3 for the year. Dead Man's Chest broke the then opening weekend record in 2006. At World's End broke the Memorial Weekend record- which it still holds. At World's End saw a drop off from Dead Man's Chest and was the lowest attended and grossing of the three. On Stranger Tides came out in 2011 without most of the cast from the first three and Gore Verbinksi- the director. The critical ratings also dropped with each movie. On Stranger Tides wasn't the huge success the original three we're domestically, but overseas- Tides rolled! (no Alabama pun intended). Without the international audience, Pirates 5 wouldn't be in pre-production. The international audience should show up, but will America and Canada rush on opening weekend to see Captain Jack for a fifth time for most likely over 2 and 1/2 hours or are they just ready for something else?
     Another interesting aspect of 2015 will be the Justice League vs Avengers 2- if JL stays in that year. WB had a chance to put JL in the spotlight first back in the 2000's, but they let it go and Avengers rolled in, becoming the #3 movie all time. Now, of course, WB want's JL back on the priority list. Avengers 2 is already being seen as the front runner, but will people still give it a chance or will it just be called an "Avenger's knockoff"?
     Animation should also be stellar in 2015. Charlie Brown is finally coming to the screen, The Smurfs will enjoy their third outing painting theaters blue, two Pixar films are scheduled, and the Penguins are getting their own spinoff. Who will claim #1 in the hearts of children and animation enthusiasts?
     It's not 2015 should be big, it's 2015 WILL be big. Just 24 more months. We can do it.

No comments:

Post a Comment