STACK #160 Feb 2018

CINEMA FEATURE

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Sequels, superheroes, Spielberg, dinosaurs and Deadpool – it’s going to be a big year on the big screen!

READY PLAYER ONE Due Mar 29 Ernest Cline’s love letter to ‘80s pop culture is a perfect fit for Steven Spielberg, who practically invented a lot of what we love about the era. The virtual world of the OASIS contains more Easter eggs than a bunny’s basket, and geek overload is guaranteed. This is shaping up as a worthy successor to The Matrix, and with Cline onboard as a co-screenwriter, fans of the novel can expect a faithful adaptation. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR Due Apr 25 The Marvel movie to end all Marvel movies? You’d be forgiven for thinking so, however all phases have been leading to this. Infinity War unites the Avengers, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, the Guardians, and, well, everyone from the MCU (including Stan Lee) for the long-awaited confrontation with Thanos (looking a bit like Shrek in the trailer). Captain America: Civil War proved that the Russo brothers could wrangle a huge cast of characters without short changing anyone, so this superhero showdown is in very capable hands. April 25 doesn’t seem all that far away now. DEADPOOL 2 Due May 17 The working title is “Love Machine” and while plot details are still vague, with mention of “ninjas, the yakuza, and aggressive canines”, we do know that Cable and Domino are joining Ryan Reynolds’ mouthy merc for the sequel. However, following “creative differences” with Reynolds, original director Tim Miller won’t be back, leaving Atomic Blonde ’s David Leitch a tough act to follow. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY Due May 25 No waiting until December for the next Star Wars film, but will this second spin-off deliver the goods following a troubled production history that saw Ron Howard step in as director after Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were shown the door? It might be best to keep expectations low. We already know that Han will meet a young Chewie and Lando, and surely we’ll see the Falcon make the Kessel run...

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM Due Jun 7 It’s the dinosaurs that need saving this time when a volcanic eruption threatens the island, and Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are up for the challenge. Jeff Goldblum returns as Dr. Ian Malcolm and will no doubt do the math on the chances of their success – and survival. On the strength of director J.A. Bayona’s previous films, The Orphanage, The Impossible and A Monster Calls , this could be the best Jurassic adventure since Spielberg’s original. INCREDIBLES 2 Due Jun 14 Pixar’s track record with sequels is strong and writer-director Brad Bird is back, so we can expect something incredible here. Mr. Incredible is looking after the kids while Elastigirl fights crime, and discovers the extent of baby Jack-Jack’s superpowers. John Ratzenberger voices new villain The Underminer, and best of all, fashion designer Edna Mode returns! THE PREDATOR Due Aug 2 It’s been eight years since we last saw the dreadlocked alien hunter, and writer-director Shane Black promises an “inventive sequel” with a modern setting. Action veteran Black’s involvement, along with co-writer Fred Dekker ( The Monster Squad ), is reason enough be optimistic, even though there’s no Arnie. HALLOWEEN Due Oct John Carpenter is producing and scoring and Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode for a final confrontation with Michael Myers. That’s good news for fans after Rob Zombie’s trashing of the horror classic, but can the Eastbound & Down team of David Gordon Green and Danny McBride restore the franchise to its former glory?

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FEBRUARY 2018

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