As a lifelong fan of comic book movies, I can say with confidence that the upcoming projects we’re discussing here are nothing short of exhilarating! Let me tell you, it brings back memories of my youth spent eagerly awaiting the next issue of my favorite comics to hit the stands.
2023 saw a higher number of comic book movie flops compared to hits, leading some to believe that audience tiredness of superhero films was becoming a reality. However, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn acknowledged this trend as something the industry needed to address. While it’s easy to assume that audiences are completely fed up with costumed heroes soaring through the skies, the fact remains that movies like the R-rated “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” continued to bring in over $1.3 billion at the global box office, demonstrating that specific characters and narratives can still resonate deeply with viewers.
In summary, it appears that the genre of superhero movies isn’t vanishing completely. James Gunn is set to introduce a fresh perspective on Superman, while Marvel Studios has numerous projects lined up for quite some time. It will be intriguing to observe which films strike a chord and which ones don’t. To demonstrate that these movies can continue to make an impression, just take a look at the numerous sequels of superhero films scheduled for release in the near future.
It’s likely you’re familiar with blockbusters such as “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which are certain to rake in billions at the box office. But there might be other projects that have slipped your notice. Here, I’ll highlight some of the most significant upcoming productions, with some hitting screens soon, while others are still in their infancy. Regardless, they all underscore the fact that, just like superheroes, this genre will continue to thrive and find new life.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man
When a preview for a comic book adaptation is released, it’s usually greeted with broad enthusiasm and anticipation. However, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” trailer received a generally tepid response, mainly because many people weren’t aware that it was being made. Fans of Hellboy online expressed similar sentiments about the trailer, stating that it appeared less expensive than other live-action films featuring the character.
A less expensive superhero film isn’t automatically poor quality; instead, it might necessitate some initiative from viewers to watch Jack Kesy portray the red demon with smoothed-down horns. The movie had a gradual premiere in Europe during summer 2024, and it will be directly available on streaming platforms in the U.S. starting October 8. At this time, there are no plans to showcase the new “Hellboy” film on the big screen, but there are still compelling reasons for comic book enthusiasts to watch it. The movie is an adaptation of the miniseries by the same name written by Mike Mignola and illustrated by Richard Corben, and according to the trailer, it seems to have a folklore-inspired horror aesthetic.
Mike Mignola, known for creating Hellboy, played a significant role in scripting the film. Speaking to Forbes, he expressed his excitement saying, “It’s thrilling for me to see things on screen that I never envisioned before.” Fingers crossed, this movie will receive a more favorable response compared to the 2019 Hellboy film.
The Batman: Part II
Given the uncertain reception of superhero films at the box office lately, it makes sense that studios might lean towards continuing successful formulas. Thus, it’s not surprising to learn about two simultaneous Batman cinematic universes emerging. In the new DC Universe overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran, a film titled “The Brave and the Bold” featuring a new Batman story is in production. On the other hand, following the massive success of 2022’s “The Batman,” which saw Robert Pattinson take on the role of the Dark Knight, a sequel titled “The Batman: Part II” is also being developed.
The release date of “The Batman: Part II,” set for October 2, 2026, has been confirmed, with Matt Reeves returning as both writer and director. Meanwhile, various possibilities have arisen about the villain’s identity, sparking engaging discussions on the web.
As a gaming enthusiast, I find Mr. Freeze an intriguing character, especially considering Gotham City’s flooding in the initial movie. However, his ability to freeze everything might be too far-fetched for Reeves’ grittier portrayal of Gotham, making him less suitable for adaptation. The Court of Owls and Hush, on the other hand, seem more fitting as they align with a more realistic depiction of villains in this universe, presenting Bruce Wayne with new challenges that haven’t been explored on the silver screen yet.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
In a parallel reality, there exists a world where “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” premiered on its original date of March 29, 2024. As a diehard fan, I’m still eagerly awaiting the resolution to Miles Morales’ (Shameik Moore) incredible journey. Given the complexity involved in crafting these animated masterpieces, it’s not shocking that the third installment needed a bit more time to polish its perfection.
In “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” several significant storylines were established for future films like “Beyond the Spider-Verse.” The character known as The Spot (portrayed by Jason Schwartzman) has evolved into a threat that spans across multiple universes. Additionally, Miles Morales learns from Miguel O’Hara (played by Oscar Isaac) a troubling fact: his father must perish for the stability of their universe. To complicate matters further, Miles finds himself in an alternate universe, prompting Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) to gather the Spider-Team from the initial film in an attempt to save him.
Producing two intricate animated films successively could be seen as reaching for the celestial bodies, but there’s been a lot of positive feedback about “Beyond the Spider-Verse” from those involved in its production. Karan Soni, who portrayed Pavitr Prabhakar in “Across the Spider-Verse,” expressed his excitement during an August 2024 interview with Times of India, stating that they will commence recording the film in a few months. Given the extended production timeline, there’s ample opportunity to ensure the story is as flawless as possible. Among the upcoming superhero movie sequels, this one may carry the highest expectations for excellence.
King Spawn
Back in the ’90s, comic book adaptations were more of a fresh concept than the norm we know today. Movies like “Batman Forever” or “Blade” could capture an audience, but then came 1997’s “Spawn.” Critics tore it apart, and fans were left baffled by its PG-13 rating instead of the R-rated violence it deserved. However, it’s high time we rectify the past mistakes by giving Spawn another chance on the big screen with the upcoming adaptation, “King Spawn.
The upcoming “Spawn” film doesn’t seem like a continuation of the original movie; instead, it appears more like a fresh start or reboot. This should excite fans, as it’s being developed by Blumhouse Productions, renowned for their horror movies, which makes them an ideal fit given the supernatural elements of the story. The “Spawn” comics revolve around a mercenary who strikes a deal with a devilish entity to come back to Earth to be reunited with his wife, but he ends up being deceived.
At present, it seems like “King Spawn” is just a temporary title and the film won’t follow the same comic book storyline. However, given the success of R-rated comic book movies like “Joker” and “Deadpool,” there might be an ideal opportunity to unleash Spawn in its full glory.
Constantine 2
2005 saw the release of “Constantine”, a film that might have faded into obscurity without a second glance if not for its impressive box office earnings of $230 million worldwide. However, it received mixed feedback from critics. Unlike the 1997 version of “Spawn” with its PG-13 rating, “Constantine” was given an R due to its darker source material. Director Francis Lawrence explained to Collider that they aimed for a PG-13 rating but were still granted an R. In his words, “If we were going to get an R rating, I would’ve made an R-rated movie.” Essentially, they felt they were unfairly penalized in the rating category.
Due to its underwhelming debut, it seemed like a genuine R-rated “Constantine” movie would never materialize. However, as the original film garnered a devoted fanbase over time, discussions about a sequel have persisted. Eventually, legal complications delayed a potential “Constantine 2” for years, but it appears that the project is now gaining momentum.
In 2022, it was revealed that the sequel to “Constantine,” titled “Constantine 2,” was being developed. During a question-and-answer session for “Transformers One” in September 2024, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, a producer of the original “Constantine,” shared an encouraging update on the script: “I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but Akiva Goldsman wrote it, and I can’t wait!” We hope to hear more about the project moving forward soon.
Shang-Chi 2
Following “Avengers: Endgame,” Marvel Studios’ productions have had varying reactions from fans. While movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” are widely loved, others such as “Secret Invasion” receive criticism online. The 2021 release, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” is undoubtedly among the beloved ones, praised for its compelling origin story about Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), its impressive action sequences, and emotional narrative. Both critics and audiences have resonated with it, making it surprising that a sequel has yet to be expedited. However, reports suggest that a sequel is still being developed.
In April 2024, Liu confirmed that “Shang-Chi 2” was indeed moving forward. Yet, there’s a possibility it might have a new director since Destin Daniel Cretton, who directed the original film, is in negotiations for “Spider-Man 4” featuring Tom Holland. The release date of “Shang-Chi 2” may influence whether or not Cretton could work on both films at distinct times, which would be quite challenging if he does.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Storyline will culminate with “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Some speculate that Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings may connect to the multiverse. It would logically follow for another “Shang-Chi” film to be released before “Secret Wars,” which is set for May 7, 2027, but it’s unclear when we might see the character again in live-action.
Spider-Man 4
It’s clear that “Spider-Man 4” is progressing rapidly, given the character’s immense popularity compared to Batman. This swift development makes sense considering Marvel and Sony’s eagerness to launch the next installment featuring Tom Holland without delay. However, rumors surfaced in early 2024 about a dispute between Marvel Studios and Sony regarding the direction for “Spider-Man 4”. Although these reports should be treated with caution, it appears that Marvel is leaning towards a realistic narrative while Sony seems to favor another multiverse storyline, potentially reprising Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as their versions of Peter Parker.
In the upcoming film “Venom: The Last Dance,” we might see symbiote supervillain Knull making an appearance, potentially laying the foundation for a grand multiverse tale involving Knull as a significant figure. Given Knull’s powerful status in the comics, it seems plausible that he could be utilized across multiple films rather than just one. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between Kingpin (Vincent D’Onofrio) and New York vigilantes in “Daredevil: Born Again” could offer an intriguing plotline for a future Spider-Man film set in New York City. With Tom Holland’s Spider-Man expected to play pivotal roles in “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars,” it appears that he will have a very busy schedule ahead.
Bloodshot 2
I totally get it if you didn’t catch “Bloodshot” in theaters when it first came out. Released on March 13, 2020, it was just a few days before cinemas had to close due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 worldwide. Naturally, its box office earnings weren’t huge, and Sony decided to make the movie available for video-on-demand viewing from March 24 onwards.
2020 saw an exciting announcement that had me buzzing as a fan – “Bloodshot 2” was officially in development with Vin Diesel reprising his role as Ray Garrison, the soldier-turned-superhuman! Since then, there’s been a bit of silence on the project, but it hasn’t been scrapped. With Vin busy on the latest “Fast and Furious” installment, perhaps the creative team is simply waiting for him to wrap up before diving headfirst into Bloodshot 2 development.
The original “Bloodshot” left several mysteries unresolved, which a follow-up movie might delve into. However, even though “Bloodshot” managed to recoup its costs via video-on-demand, it remains uncertain whether audiences will show interest once the sequel eventually arrives.
The Incredibles 3
At the D23 Expo in 2024, Disney and Pixar announced that they were working on “The Incredibles 3,” with Brad Bird set to direct once again. Given that “The Incredibles 2” made over $1.2 billion globally, it’s no wonder they’re planning another movie – they’d certainly like to recreate that financial triumph.
There really isn’t much known about the project yet. One would assume the main cast, including Craig T. Nelson and Holly Hunter, would return as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, respectively. Animated movies can take a long time to get off the ground, as evidenced by the prolonged development of films like “Frozen II” and “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.” It could be a while before “Incredibles 3” finally makes it to theaters, but there’s already a ton of hype around this film.
In the realm of the narrative, there’s a chance that the storyline for this game might draw inspiration from an unused concept in “The Incredibles 2”. Back in 2019, Bird hinted at another superhero tale involving an invasive artificial intelligence. Given how AI has become such a hot topic with a fair share of controversy these days, it seems fitting that this idea could find its place in “The Incredibles 3”, if they decide to move forward with it. After all, who knows? I might just get the chance to save the world from an AI threat as a superhero!
Sinister Six
Back in the 2010s, Sony Pictures aimed to create a “Sinister Six” film. This ambition is suggested in the ending of the 2014 movie “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” where Green Goblin (portrayed by Dane DeHaan) discusses forming a team and shows glimpses of mechanical tentacles and massive wings, which are hints for potential future appearances of Doc Ock and Vulture. The film, initially intended to be part of the Spider-Man universe starring Andrew Garfield, didn’t materialize as planned, but it’s rumored that Sony still holds on to its vision for a Sinister Six storyline.
It’s good to stay skeptical on any “Sinister Six” news, but speculation in 2023 suggested that Sony wants a “Sinister Six” movie featuring the cavalcade of Spidey villains who have all starred in solo movies, including Venom (Tom Hardy), Morbius (Jared Leto), and Kraven the Hunter (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). In February 2024, another rumor emerged, suggesting Sony may want to produce an animated “Sinister Six” film. It’s unclear if that would be connected to the live-action Spider-Man villain films or be a standalone project.
At the moment, nothing definite about the plans from Sony has been revealed. If these spinoffs fail to culminate in a “Sinister Six” team-up, one might question their purpose.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2
The impact of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” on contemporary animated series tied to major franchises is undeniably significant, and this influence can be clearly seen in the upcoming 2023 release, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” This film effectively employs its distinctive animation style to narrate a story that would have been much more challenging in live-action. Given the positive response, it’s no surprise that the movie has led to a Paramount+ original spinoff series called “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” and there’s even a sequel planned for release on October 9, 2026.
Mutant Mayhem” sets a strong foundation for its story. In the end, Superfly (Ice Cube) couldn’t seize control over the city, so his mutant crew joins forces with the turtles. However, Shredder is making his way to New York as well. So, we can expect “TMNT: Mutant Mayhem 2” to pit the Ninja Turtles against their most famous adversary, but there may be more unexpected twists in store!
Doctor Strange 3
As a die-hard gamer of Marvel’s cinematic universe, I can’t help but notice an intriguing lineup of upcoming projects. Titles like “Shang-Chi 2” and “Thor 5” are brewing, yet details remain scarce at the moment. Among these tantalizing titles, it’s “Doctor Strange 3” that seems to hold the most potential for an immediate kickoff. Given my enthusiasm for the Marvel universe, I can only hope they move swiftly on this one!
In “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the movie concludes with Clea (played by Charlize Theron) inviting Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) on a new, significant journey to address a collision between universes, known as an incursion. An incursion occurs when two realities intersect and start to disintegrate. It’s quite possible that these incursions will be central to the storyline of “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Given their multiversal nature, these threats could make for a spectacular climax in those films, ultimately wrapping up the Multiverse Saga in grand fashion.
It seems logical that “Doctor Strange 3” might come out before or even in between some of the upcoming “Avengers” movies. Furthermore, whispers suggest that the storyline for “Doctor Strange 3” could be based on the “Time Runs Out” comic book series, with the main character grappling with his role as a key factor in the destruction of multiple universes. Among all the forthcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero movie sequels, “Doctor Strange 3” could potentially have the widest-reaching impact, and we can’t wait to witness it along with the others on our list.
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2024-10-05 19:31