When you construct a preview of the year to come in movies, you really should note that release dates are subject to change.
Never was that more the case than in 2020, when the novel coronavirus pandemic set fire to the movie industry’s calendar of planned theatrical releases. Dates pushed back, and some flicks were moved to streaming platforms.
(And not only did I not make mention that dates were subject to change in my 2020 preview, I went with a “20/20 vision” angle that, ironically, proved to be VERY blurry. I believe not one film I included for mid-March and beyond came out when it originally was set for release.)
So here we are — in a new year and with a new calendar, if one chock full of movies pulled from the 2020 slate and streaming a much bigger factor than it was only a year ago.
Although the industry certainly has a somewhat-clearer 2021 vision about the ramifications of COVID-19 — and seemingly Hollywood, like me, is optimistic about vaccines leading to a return to “normal” in the relatively near future — you should consider all these dates, as well as the nature of the release, subject to change. It’s hard to imagine we won’t see more theatrical releases jump instead to Netflix or another streamer.
Here’s just some of what’s planned for 2021:
· “The Dig” (Jan. 21, Netflix) — Based on John Preston’s 2007 novel set in 1939 and revolving around the excavation of medieval cemeteries in England, this drama’s impressive cast includes Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes and Lily James.
· “The Little Things” (Jan. 29, theaters and HBO Max) — John Lee Hancock Jr. (“The Highwaymen”) directs this thriller in which rival law-enforcement officers played by Denzel Washington and Rami Malek are searching for a killer. This is the second film from Warner Bros. Pictures — following December’s “Wonder Woman 1984” — of many set to be released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.
· “Palmer” (Jan. 29, Apple TV+) — Music superstar Justin Timberlake portrays Eddie Palmer, a former college football star who returns home after a prison stint. He bonds with Sam (Ryder Allen), but he is troubled by the boy’s interest in traditionally feminine things.
· “Nomadland” (Feb. 19, theaters) — Much acclaim has followed this drama in which the talented Frances McDormand portrays a woman who loses her job and travels as a modern-day nomad. Several Academy Award nominations for this Chloe Zhao-directed film — finally hitting Northeast Ohio — are a good bet. The movie is an adaptation of Jessica Bruder’s 2017 nonfiction book “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century.”
· “Coming to America 2” (March 5, Prime Video) — While this sequel to hilarious 1988 comedy “Coming to America” originally was planned for a December 2020 theatrical release, we’ll now get to enjoy this second adventure with Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem and Arsenio Hall’s Semmi — and the other characters the pair portray — at home. This time, the pair travel from the African country of Zamunda to the United States to find a son (Jermaine Fowler) about whom Akeem didn’t know.
· “Raya and the Last Dragon” (March 5, theaters and Disney+ with Premier Access) — A digitally animated film and the 59th feature from Disney Animation Studios, “Raya and the Last Dragon” sees Kelly Marie Tran of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” voicing warrior princess Raya and Awkwafina as Sisu, a dragon capable of incredible transformation.
· “Tom & Jerry” (March 5, theaters and HBO Max) — The enduring cat-and-mouse duo hit the big city — and the big screen — in an animation-live-action hybrid featuring, with actual humans being portrayed by Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña and Colin Jost.
· “Cherry” (March 12, Apple TV+) — Filmed over roughly three months in the Cleveland area, with Northeast Ohio natives and “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame” directors Joe and Anthony Russo at the helm, this drama has “Spider-Man: Far From Home” star Tom Holland as a war hero who battles PTSD and other issues after returning home to Ohio. The movie will debut in select theaters two weeks before its streaming release.
· “The King’s Man” (March 12, theaters) — With director Matthew Vaughn still steering the ship, this action-spy-comedy franchise goes the prequel route with an entry originally slated for last fall.
· “The Many Saints of Newark” (March 12, theaters and HBO Max) — Speaking of release dates I don’t trust, it’s hard to imagine this already-delayed cinematic prequel to “The Sopranos” actually coming out this soon given not only do we not yet have a trailer, but it seems as if there’s no official website yet for the film. At least IMDb has started to pair roles with actors long attached to the late-1960s-set film, with, among others, Billy Magnussen as a younger Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gualtieri and Corey Stoll as Junior Soprano. Alessandro Nivola already had been announced to star as Richard ‘Dickie’ Moltisanti — father of “Sopranos” character Christopher Moltisani — and Michael Gandolfini was picked to portray a younger version Tony Soprano, the mob-boss character that made his late father, James, famous. And the smart money is on Vera Farmiga playing Tony’s mother, Livia, but we’ll see. Alan Taylor, who directed several “Sopranos” episodes, helms the movie, while show creator David Chase is a co-writer and -producer.
· “Morbius” (March 19, theaters) — Jared Leto portrays the titular Marvel Comics hero who, after trying to cure himself of a rare blood disease, becomes a vampire. (Hey, these things happen.) Morbius will exist in the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters as opposed to Disney-owned Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe. That means he may run into Venom at some point — and even Spider-Man — but not Thor. (The superhero business has become more than a little confusing.)
· “No Time to Die” (April 2, theaters) — Ah, the delay that started them all. Remember in March when this, the 25th installment in the beloved series surrounding British spy also known as 007, was pulled from its April release date and moved to November? Seemed like an overly dramatic move at the time, didn’t it? Now it most certainly (you know, maybe) will come out this April, and we’re still excited to see the final turn as Bond from Daniel Craig and to find out what Cary Joji Fukunaga — director of the fantastic first season of “True Detective” — can do behind the wheel of this sportscar.
· “Reminiscence” (April 16, theaters and HBO Max) — I’m looking forward to seeing a trailer for this sci-fi drama because it is written and directed by Lisa Joy, one half of the husband-and-wife team that drives HBO series “Westworld.” (Hubby Jonathan Nolan is counted among the producers.) The future-set film stars Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson and also features a couple of “Westworld” vets, Thandie Newton and Angela Sarafyan.
· “Last Night in Soho” (April 23, theaters) — The latest effort from comedy-horror director Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead”) is said to skew more in the horror direction. Anya Taylor-Joy — last seen crushing it in “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix — stars as a woman who travels back to the 1960s, where unusual scares await.
· “A Quiet Place Part II” (April 23, theaters) — Given the importance of sound to clever 2018 horror-sci-fi hit “A Quiet Place,” it’s nice that this sequel from returning director John Krasinski was held for a theatrical release after its delay a year ago. While (spoiler alert) Kraskinski’s character from the first film perished, his remaining family — led by wife Evelyn (Krasinski’s actual wife, Emily Blunt) will encounter a potential new ally in Cillian Murphy’s Emmett. Also important is deaf actress Millicent Simmonds returning for the sequel as daughter Regan.
· “Black Widow” (May 7, theaters) — “Black Widow” first was delayed in May, and we waited much of the rest of the year for the announcement from Disney-owned Marvel Studios that this first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four would land on Disney+ — possibly with the extra-$30 pricetag that came with 2020 release “Mulan.” But, no, this film built around Scarlet Johansson’s titular superhero is set to land a year later in theaters.
· “Free Guy” (May 21, theaters) — This sci-fi comedy, starring Ryan Reynolds as a man who learns he’s a video game character, looks like a fun time. Jodie Comer — so good on the TV series “Killing Eve” — co-stars as a human woman with whom Reynolds’ Guy makes a connection.
· “Godzilla vs. Kong” (May 21, theaters) — Sure, this 2020 holdover has its two namesake monster-movie giants, but I’m always happy to see “Stranger Things” star Millie Bobby Brown in a cast list. She returns from 2019’s “Godzilla: King of Monsters” in this, the fourth film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse. Other human characters will be portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård, Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry.
· “Spiral: From the Book of Saw” (May 21, theaters) — Chris Rock, with Samuel L. Jackson around for the ride, is in the center of the latest installment in the horrors-filled “Saw” franchise.
· “F9” (May 28, theaters) — Thirteen months after its original scheduled release, this high-octane, fuel-injected adventure also known as “Fast & Furious 9” should come screeching into theaters. Sure, Dom (Vin Diesel) and the gang are back, but so is Justin Lin — director of the finest entries in this guilty-pleasure, physics-defying series that combines over-the-top action with wonderfully terrible dialogue. Can’t. Wait.
· “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” (June 4, theaters and HBO Max) — Stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are back for the third “Conjuring” movie and the eighth installment in the Conjuring Universe, which somehow is a thing.
· “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” (June 11, theaters) — Director and co-writer Jason Reitman said last year that at least quarantine would give him more time to edit this comic-drama installment in a series that started in 1984 with “Ghostbusters,” directed by his father, Ivan. While we can expect appearances by old “‘busters” faves Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Earnie Hudson and Annie Potts, the film stars Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Carrie Coon and Paul Rudd. The inclusion of “Stranger Things” star Wolfhard feels fitting with the trailer released last year giving off such a heavy “Things” vibe.
· “In the Heights” (June 18, theaters and HBO Max) — Another film delayed from 2020, “In the Heights” is an adaptation of the musical-theater work made by the brilliant Lin-Manuel Miranda before he historically rocked the world with “Hamilton.” Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”) directs.
· “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” (June 25, theater) — As much as I typically enjoy the work of actor Tom Hardy, I never will understand how 2018’s “Venom” — in which he starred as the titular Marvel Comics alien-influenced antihero — became such a monster hit. As the title suggests, similar character Carnage (Woody Harrelson) will be added to the wild mix, and Michelle Williams returns for the sequel from Sony Pictures.
· “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (July 2, theaters) — Expect all the little, yellow, weird, animated fun to continue with this delayed follow-up to 2015 “Despicable Me” prequel “Minions,” with Steve Carell again voicing Gru and Pierre Coffin as the endlessly charming Minions.
· “Top Gun: Maverick” (July 2, theaters) — Arguably the most anticipated flick of last year, this years-in-the-making, much-delayed sequel to 1986’s “Top Gun.” Now a flight instructor, Tom Cruise’s “Pete “Maverick” Mitchell will have the, um, pleasure of molding Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw — son of his late friend and copilot — into a topnotch flier.
· “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (July 9, theaters) — Marvel Studios’ MCU keeps rolling with its 25th entry, based on lesser-known hero Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), a martial arts master first appearing in the pages of Marvel Comics in the 1970s. Marvel’s first film with an Asian lead, “Shang-Chi” also will feature Awkwafina, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. Destin Daniel Cretton directs from a screenplay by David Callaham.
· “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (July 16, theaters and HBO Max) — It’s current Los Angeles Lakers and former Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James’ turn to hoop with the Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes in this follow up to 1996’s “Space Jam,” which starred Michael Jordan.
· “Uncharted” (July 16, theaters) — After many delays and director changes, this adaptation of the fun video-game adventure series may actually happen. (Filming began last year, and Tom Holland — who will portray lead character Nathan Drake — reportedly has finished his scenes, so … probably?) “Zombieland” helmer Ruben Fleischer ultimately landed in the director’s chair. While Mark Wahlberg was interested years ago in portraying Nathan, he now is in the role of his mentor, Victor Sullivan, aka “Sully.”
· “Jungle Cruise” (July 30, theaters) — It’s not confidence-inspiring to know this is an adaptation of a ride at several Disney amusement parks. On the other hand, so was “The Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, and that sure offered some big-screen fun, at least at first. In the early 20th century, a riverboat captain (Dwayne Johnson) and scientist (Emily Blunt) embark on a fantastical quest in “Jungle Cruise.”
· “The Suicide Squad” (Aug. 6, theaters and HBO Max) — Can’t wait to see what results of “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn getting his hands on some DC Comics world for what is planned to be a very R-rated adventure. Although it features returnees from 2016’s “Suicide Squad” — most importantly Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn — this action romp is positioned as a bit of a reboot for the franchise.
· “Candyman” (Aug. 27, theaters) — Considering this Nia DaCosta-directed sequel to the 1992 horror film of the same name about an urban legend is co-written by “Get Out” and “Us” mastermind Jordan Peele, I’m expecting to wash down my terror with some thought-provoking social commentary. The cast is led by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who was fantastic in HBO’s acclaimed 2019 “Watchmen” series.
· “Death on the Nile” (Sept. 17, theaters) — It really looked for a while like this sequel to 2017’s highly enjoyable “Murder on the Orient Express” would make it to theaters last fall. Now it looks like we’re waiting several more months for another round of Kenneth Branagh as the Agatha Christie-created detective Hercule Poirot. The cast also boasts Annette Bening, Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer, with Branagh back to direct the adaptation of Christie’s 1937 novel.
· “Dune” (Oct. 1, theaters and HBO Max) — I’ve only recently started picking away at the 1984 David Lynch adaptation of the beloved 1965 sci-fi novel by Frank Herbert, and, well, let’s hope director Denis Villeneuve’s pandemic-delayed take has little in common with that film beyond its source material. (Reading some of the reviews of Lynch’s movie from the time of its release is a fun activity if you enjoy harsh criticism.) And I do expect a fine film from the gifted director of “Sicario,” “Arrival” and “Blade Runner.” Timothée Chalamet least a cast that also boasts Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin and Zendaya.
· “Halloween Kills” (Oct. 15, theaters) — This sequel to 2018’s “Halloween” continues on with the saga of Jamie Lee Curtis’ Laurie Strode and Nick Castle’s homicidal Michael Myers, with director David Gordon Green also back to orchestrate the scares.
· “Eternals” (Nov. 5, theaters) — The movie’s namesake heroes from Marvel Comics make their MCU debut in a film helmed by “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao. The cast is led by Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden and Kumail Nanjiani.
· “King Richard” (theaters and HBO Max) — Will Smith stars as Richard Williams — father of tennis-star daughters Venus and Serena — in this nonfiction tale.
· “Mission: Impossible 7” (Nov. 19, theaters) — In time, we’ll know more about the plot — and have an actual title — for the latest in this hit action-espionage franchise starring Tom Cruise as spy extraordinaire Ethan Hunt. (Cruise and the movie were in the news recently due to the leak of the actor-producer’s recorded tirade from the set in Europe when he felt crew members weren’t following coronavirus-related safety protocols.) Expect a supporting cast featuring both returning players — Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby and Rebecca Ferguson — and newcomers — Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales and Shea Whigham. Christopher McQuarrie, who gets the best out of Cruise and is no stranger to the franchise, directs.
· “West Side Story” (Dec. 10, theaters) — Almost a year after it originally was slated to hit theaters, Stephen Spielberg’s take on this enduring musical-theater favorite is due to arrive. His version, which is penned by acclaimed Broadway veteran Tony Kushner, stars Ansel Elgort as Tony and Rachel Zegler as Maria.
· “Spider-Man 3” (Dec. 17, theaters) — First, this next MCU entrant almost certainly won’t have this as its title. Second, the next adventure centered around Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man apparently will feel a bit like Sony Pictures’ popular, award-winning 2018 animated adventure “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” as it will dabble in the increasingly popular venue of multiverse storytelling. Supposedly, we’ll see actors reprising roles from past Spider-Man franchises, including Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus and Jamie Foxx as Electro. Director Jon Watts, who did a wonderful job with “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” so you’d expect another web-swinging good time.
· “The Matrix 4” (Dec. 22, theaters and HBO Max) — Coming more than two decades after the revolutionary sci-fi action film “The Matrix” — and 18 years after the seemingly series-closing third film, “The Matrix Revolutions” — is the return of Keanu Reeves’ Neo. While the character will be joined by Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, apparently Laurence Fishburne will not be around as Morpheus. As we get closer to its release, surely more details will emerge about this flick from director Lana Wachowski, one-half of the sibling team that made the trilogy.
Mark Meszoros is the assistant managing editor/features at The News-Herald in Willoughby, Ohio, and the entertainment editor at The Morning Journal in Lorain, Ohio.
