2012 Science Fiction and Fantasy Movie Preview
The first four months of the year do not bring nearly as much fanfare for science fiction and fantasy feature film releases as the Summer Blockbuster season, but the studios still manage to get some gems in there each year. And January through April of 2012 will be no different with the months of February and March in particular delivering quite a number of potential barnstormers such as Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, John Carter, and Wrath of the Titans. And that’s just to name three. Following is a list of all the genre films currently on the schedule for release during the first four months of 2012. The majority of the information compiled here came from the Rotten Tomatoes site and/or IMDb.com. The links provided for each entry are for the film’s official website, where available, and you can go there to see the latest trailers and find more information on the movies. If an official website is not available, the link is to the film’s Rotten Tomatoes site. Check back on a regular basis as schedules could change with little or no notice and new films could get added to (or dropped from) the list. Also, be sure to check back in April when we will have the full preview for the Summer 2012 Blockbuster Season. We have a teaser at the bottom of this page for what to expect then, but there are plenty more sci fi films scheduled for the May through August period.
January Releases:
The Devil Inside
Hits Theaters: January 6th
Category: Horror, Thriller
Director: William Brent Bell
Cast: Fernanda Andrade, Simon Quarterman, Evan Helmuth
Synopsis: In Italy, a woman becomes involved in a series of unauthorized exorcisms during her mission to discover what happened to her mother, who allegedly murdered three people during her own exorcism. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: This is apparently a different movie than Projext x27 (which opens the same day and originally had the same name). The trailer we have seen for this one (assuming we got our movies right) looks intriguing, though.
Project x27
Hits Theaters: January 6th
Category: Horror, Thriller
Director: Joaquin Perea
Cast: Danny Trejo, B-Real, Elika Crespo, Joey Medina
Synopsis: When 6 strangers meet at an abandoned resort off the coast in Baja Mexico, they are thrown into a nightmare confontation from which there may be no escape. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Not a lot of information about this one and it doesn’t help that it opens on the same day as The Devil Inside, a movie it originally shared names with.
The Divide
Hits Theaters: January 13th (Limited Release)
Category: Sci Fi, Action/Adventure
Director: Xavier Gens
Cast: Lauren German, Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Courtney B. Vance
Synopsis: Survivors of a nuclear attack are grouped together for days in the basement of their apartment building, where fear and dwindling supplies wear away at their dynamic. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Wasn’t this a Twilight Zone episode? Could be a sleeper, intelligent science fiction movie.
Underworld: Awakening (3D)
Hits Theaters: January 20th
Category: Action, Fantasy, Horror
Director: Måns Mårlind , Björn Stein
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, India Eisley
Synopsis: When human forces discover the existence of the Vampire and Lycan clans, a war to eradicate both species commences. The vampire warrioress Selene leads the battle against humankind. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: This venerable franchise chugs along with its fourth entry.
Amityville Horror: The Lost Tapes
Hits Theaters: January 27th
Category: Horror
Director: Casey Lascalla , Daniel Farrands
Cast:
Synopsis: An ambitious TV news intern leads a team of journalists, clergymen and paranormal researchers into an investigation of the most famous haunted house case in the world.
Our Thoughts: If you’re going to dredge up an old franchise like this, the Blair Witch angle seems like a way to approach it.
The Wicker Tree
Hits Theaters: January 27th (Limited Release)
Category: Horror, Mystery
Director: Robin Hardy
Cast: Brittania Nicol, Henry Garrett, Graham McTavish, Christopher Lee
Synopsis: Director Robin Hardy’s reimagining of his eerie 1973 film, The Wicker Man. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: The original film is well respected among horror fans. Will director Hardy’s reimaginingbring the story to life for a new generation or tread on the memory of his first film?
February Releases:
The Woman in Black
Hits Theaters: February 3rd
Category: Horror, Mystery/Suspense
Director: James Watkins
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Ciarán Hinds, Janet McTeer, Shaun Dooley
Synopsis: Young lawyer Arthur Kipps travels to a remote village to organize a recently deceased client’s papers, where he encounters the ghost of a scorned woman set on vengeance. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) graduates to a more adult film. The creepy trailer suggests this one could be a decent supernatural/horror entry.
Chronicle
Hits Theaters: February 3rd
Category: Horror, Mystery/Suspense
Director: Josh Trank
Cast: Dane DeHaan, Alex Russell, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly
Synopsis: Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: High school kids discover they have superpowers and start doing some of the a-hole-ish things you would expect dumb teens to do. It’s found footage format looks like it will compliment the story and this is definitely not beginning of the next Twilight-ish tween franchise
The Innkeepers
Hits Theaters: February 3rd (Limited Release)
Category: Mystery/Suspense, Horror
Director: Ti West
Cast: Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis, George Riddle
Synopsis: During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel’s haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay. (IMDb) This movie will be available On Demand December 30th.
Our Thoughts: Looks like this one will deliver another creepy supernatural/horror film.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Hits Theaters: February 10th
Category: Sci Fi, Action/Adventure
Director: Brad Peyton
Cast: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens
Synopsis: Sean Anderson partners with his mom’s boyfriend on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island. (IMDb) Sequel to 2008′s Journey to the Center of the Earth
Our Thoughts: We didn’t expect Journey to the Center of the Earth to turn into a sci fi franchise, but maybe this will revive the tales of Jules Verne on the big screen for a whole new generation.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
Hits Theaters: February 17th
Category: Fantasy, Action/Adventure
Director: Mark Neveldine , Brian Taylor
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Ciarán Hinds, Violante Placido, Idris Elba
Synopsis: As Johnny Blaze hides out in Eastern Europe, he is called upon to stop the devil, who is trying to take human form. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Can the Ghost Rider character return from the grave after 2007′s Ghost Rider (also starring Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze) was almost universally panned?
The Secret World of Arrietty
Hits Theaters: February 17th
Category: Animation, Fantasy
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi , Gary Rydstrom
Cast: Mirai Shida, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Tomokazu Miura, Kirin Kiki
Synopsis: The Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family’s residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their daughter, Arrietty, is discovered. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Disney brings this anime adaptation of Mary Norton’s novel The Borrowers to the States. Looks it could provide a decent, family-friendly adventure.
March Releases:
The Lorax
Hits Theaters: March 2nd
Category: Animation
Director: Chris Renaud , Cinco Paul
Cast: Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Betty White, Ed Helms
Synopsis: A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Another Dr. Suess story stretched out to feature length. It’s a pretty good story, though, so maybe they will pull it off.
Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters
Hits Theaters: March 2nd Moved to January 11, 2013
Category: Action & Adventure, Comedy
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen
Synopsis: 15 years after their traumatic gingerbread-house incident, siblings Hansel and Gretel have become a formidable team of bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Yet another re-imaging of classic fairy tale lore. Not much information (nor a trailer) available on this one thus far.
John Carter
Hits Theaters: March 9th
Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Director: Andrew Stanton
Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe, Samantha Morton
Synopsis: Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by 12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior. (IMDb) Big screen adaptation of the famous John Carter of Mars novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Our Thoughts: Based on the trailers, this one looks awesome, but then that’s what trailers are supposed to do. Let’s hope that it does justice to the beloved Edgar Rice Burroughs books.
Prometheus
Hits Theaters: March 9th Moved to June 8th
Category: Science Fiction, Horror
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce
Synopsis: A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.(IMDb) This movie will apparently tie to the Alien movies, though the specifics of that are still unclear.
Our Thoughts: Is Ridley Scott’s latest genre film part of the Alien franchise or does it bring us a whole new storyline. The mystery around this one continues to drive fans batty.
The Raven
Hits Theaters: March 9th April 27th
Category: Horror, Mystery & Suspense
Director: James McTeigue
Cast: John Cusack, Luke Evans, Brendan Gleeson, Alice Eve
Synopsis: A fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allan Poe’s life, in which the poet pursues a serial killer whose murders mirror those in the writer’s stories. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: More of a crime/mystery story than a horror/supernatural tale, but should still interest genre fans.
Mirror Mirror
Hits Theaters: March 16th Moved to March 30th
Category: Fantasy
Director: Tarsem Singh
Cast: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Sean Bean
Synopsis: An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: Yet another entry in the recent trend of reimagining fairy tales, the previews suggest this one could have a wry sense of humor (and Julia Roberts is having a grand time chewing the scenery) and it definitely looks like more fun than the darker Snow White and the Huntsman which bows in Summer.
Wrath of the Titans
Hits Theaters: March 20th
Category: Fantasy
Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Gemma Arterton, Ralph Fiennes
Synopsis: Perseus embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, who has been targeted for capture by his traitorous son, Ares, and his brother, Hades. (IMDb) Sequel to 2010′s Clash of the Titans
Our Thoughts: 2010′s Clash of the Titans did not quite live up to its promise, but maybe this sequel can capture some new magic from the tales of the Greek Gods.
The Hunger Games
Hits Theaters: March 23rd
Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks
Synopsis: Set in a future where the Capitol selects a boy and girl from the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for the latest match. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts:
The Pirates! Band Of Misfits
Hits Theaters: March 30th
Category: Animated, Comedy, Action/Adventure
Director: Peter Lord, Jeff Newitt
Cast: Hugh Grant, Salma Hayek, Jeremy Piven, David Tennant
Synopsis: Pirate Captain sets out on a mission to defeat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the year Award. The quest takes Captain and his crew from the shores of Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London.
Our Thoughts: A rare stop-motion entry, this one might be worth checking out for that reason alone!
April Releases:
The Cabin in the Woods
Hits Theaters: April 13th
Category: Mystery & Suspense, Horror
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast: Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth
Synopsis: A group of friends at a cabin retreat scratch the surface of something so massive and horrific that they can only begin to fathom it as time quickly runs out. (IMDb) Story by Joss Whedon.
Our Thoughts: Looks like this one could give us a decent twist on the old college kids dying off in the back woods storyline. We’d expect no less from Mr. Whedon.
Scary Movie 5
Hits Theaters: April 20th
Category: Horror, Comedy
Director: David Zucker
Cast: Chelan Simmons, Anthony Anderson, Regina Hall
Synopsis: The fifth installment in the parody franchise spoofing popular horror movies.
Our Thoughts: No specific info is available on this one yet, but the last few years have delivered plenty of horror movies to mine for the expected slapstick these films deliver. Airplane veteran David Zucker, who also directed Scary Movie 3 and 4, returns to the director’s chair.
Lockout
Hits Theaters: April 20th
Category: Science Fiction
Director: James Mather , Stephen St. Leger
Cast: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Vincent Regan
Synopsis: A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president’s daughter from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates. (IMDb)
Our Thoughts: French action-film director Luc Besson (District B13) wrote and produced this one and it looks like it could be worth checking out.
Dorothy of Oz
Hits Theaters: April 30th
Category: Animated, Fantasy
Director: Dan St. Pierre
Cast: Lea Michele, Hugh Dancy, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammer
Synopsis: Back in Kansas, Dorothy Gale decides to return to Oz in order to help her friends.
Our Thoughts: Yet another film mining well-known children’s tales, this one sets its sites on the Oz mythos.
Summer 2012:
We will have our full preview of the Summer Blockbuster season in April, but following are a few teasers of the films that will hit the theaters beginning in May 2012.
The Avengers (May 4th)
Dark Shadows (May 11th)
Men in Black III (May 25th)
Snow White and The Huntsman (June 1st)
Jack the Giant Killer (June 8th Moved to January 2013)
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22nd)
G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation (June 29th)
