2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year for film fans. Moviegoers can look forward to a range of projects like superhero movies, action and thrillers, and much-awaited sequels. Here are some of the most anticipated movies of 2023 that are just around the corner.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Marvel’s space opera will be back on May 5 with a huge surprise. It is the third instalment of the Guardians of the Galaxy film series following the first two films released in 2014 and 2017.
The movie is written and directed by James Gunn and distributed by Walt Disney Studios. It is expected to star most of the original cast from the first two films, with Chris Pratt playing Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Bradley Cooper as Rocket (voice), and Vin Diesel as Groot (voice). Moreover, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, and Kurt Russell are all expected to reprise their roles.
Some online speculations suggested that GoTG Vol. 3 will also feature Nova Corps characters, Adam Warlock, and High Evolutionary. There is also debate about Gamora seeming to be alive and well in this part despite being dead. The tragic events of Avengers: Endgame saw Thanos sacrifice Gamora to obtain the Soul Stone. However, the trailer shockingly revealed that she was alive and well, helping the band escape an asylum-looking facility.
The misfit team has also updated their squad with new members. The plot is currently not clear but the film looks like it will explore how the group deals with the loss of their own while protecting others from fresh threats.
John Wick Chapter 4
The fourth instalment of the John Wick franchise is set to be released on March 24. Keanu Reeves will be back in the titular role, along with returning cast members Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, and Laurence Fishburne.
The plot of the film continues the story of John Wick from where it left off. This means viewers will get to see more of his relentless pursuit of revenge against the High Table. The film will likely feature more of the intense action sequences and thrilling plot twists that audiences have come to love about this franchise.
John Wick’s signature martial arts technique “gun-fu” is exactly what high-octane action fans want to see. However, stunt coordinator-turned-director Chad Stahelski has upped the ante in this part. Viewers must gear up for an extra dose as the leader of High Table sets assassins on John’s tail. Looks like this time some new and old friends will help John as evil forces keep getting stronger.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
Iconic archaeologist Indiana Jones is back in 2023 with a new and exciting adventure. This will be the fifth instalment of the franchise and a standalone sequel to the 2008 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of Crystal Skull. The film will release on June 30.
Directed by James Mangold, the film will tell the story in the backdrop of the 20th century Space Race between Cold War rivals; the United States and the Soviet Union. The timeline covers the events of 1944, but most of it is set in 1969 when Jones disagrees with the US government’s decision to hire ex-Nazis to beat SU in the race. The film uses CGI (computer-generated imagery) to de-age 80-year-old Harrison Ford for scenes set in 1944.
Following its textbook style, the franchise will deliver a familiar adventure full of secrets, puzzles, and traps. Moreover, Jones will be up against mysterious creatures, a dangerous cult, and a mighty wizard pursuing an ancient artefact of great power. Heroes will have to put aside their differences and work together to emerge victorious.
Besides Ford, John Rhys-Davies will also reprise his role as Sallah while new cast members include Antonio Banderas, Mads Mikkelsen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Ethann Isidore, Thomas Kretschmann, and Olivier Richters.
Oppenheimer
Christopher Nolan’s next spectacle is a biographical movie on Robert Oppenheimer, the controversial scientist who invented the atomic bomb. It will cover the history of the weapon’s development, the moral implications of its use and existence, and its impact on Oppenheimer’s personal life and legacy.
The film will open with one of the darkest moments in human history when the US destroyed 2 Japanese cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 with atomic bombs. It will show how Oppenheimer was haunted to see the result of his creation. The film dives deep into his character, starting from his time as a brilliant young scientist being recruited by the US military to help build the bomb. It follows him throughout as he takes on the responsibility to complete the bomb for the US before any other country.
The journey also involves Oppenheimer fighting through strong opposition to eventually help the US win World War II. However, the heart of the film will be its handling of Oppenheimer’s personal life, relationships, and sanity. Many are also excited to see how Nolan will portray the actual explosion because he is known to make films without CGI.
The trailer shares some clips from the movie, unlike the brief teaser that leaked last year. Just like every Nolan movie, this one is also filled with a star-studded cast in meaningful roles. Cillian Murphy takes on the lead role while Emily Blunt plays his biologist wife, Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Oscar Winner Matt Damon stars as the director of the Manhattan Project and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Lewis Strauss, of the US Atomic Energy Commission. The rest of the cast includes Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Michael Angarano, Josh Hartnett, and 2 more Oscar winners; Rami Malek and Kenneth Branagh.
Barbie
Pop culture icon Barbie doll is coming to the big screen in a live-action politically-charged film, set to be released on July 21. Starring Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, the film will tackle social issues like feminism, misogyny, and gender equality.
The titular character lives in a Barbieland, where women dolls are supreme authority and male Ken dolls are mere extras. However, Barbie and Ken somehow end up in the real world to find a strikingly different scenario. Barbie is shocked to see the blatant misogyny like less pay for women and a male head of the state. Whereas, Ken is impressed by how men have kept power to themselves. Upon their return to Barbieland, Ken gathers other male dolls to overthrow the women rulers.
The film will try to clean the image of Barbie, who is often considered a bimbo (attractive but unintelligent). In this story, Barbie will be a symbol of kindness and spread the message of love and friendship across the world.
Barbie’s director is Greta Gerwig while a long list of cast members includes Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Emma Mackey, Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Ariana Greenblatt, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Alexandra Shipp, Rhea Perlman, and many more.
Fast X
The long-awaited 10th instalment in the Fast and Furious franchise will be released on June 22. After the tragic real-life death of Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) in the 7th film, fans have been debating about the future of the franchise. However, the entries have been consistently coming to the big screen with new plots and characters.
This time it will again take Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and the rest of the gang on a new mission but with higher stakes. Charlize Theron will return as Cipher with Jason Momoa as Dante to bring Dom and his family down for good. Looks like the heroes will need some help from some new and old friends, who have been absent from the franchise for quite some time.
Previous cast members including, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tyrese Gibson, and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, are all returning in their respective roles. Besides Momoa, the newcomers to join the cast are Brie Larsson, Alan Ritchson, and Rita Moreno. Whereas, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, last seen in the 8th instalment, is not returning for this as well due to a creativity clash with Diesel.
The official trailer will reportedly be released on February 10.
Napoleon
Legendary director Ridley Scott is known for creating memorable epics like American Gangster, Blade Runner, and Gladiator. This time his film will be about Napoleon Bonaparte, the French politician and military leader who become emperor in 1804.
The film will explore Bonaparte’s extraordinary life with a historically accurate and authentic approach. The story will cover his humble beginnings, his rise during the French Revolution (1787 – 99), and his brief emperorship. The key events of his life, including battles and diplomatic strategies to maintain control over European states, will come into focus. However, Scott will most likely keep Napoleon multi-dimensional to discuss his ambitious plans and psychological complexities.
Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix will star as the titular revolutionary. Venessa Kirby will play the role of Napoleon’s wife, Empress Josephine. The rest of the cast members include Mathew Needham, Tahar Rahim, Paul Rhys, and Youssef Kerkour.
The film will certainly hit the theatres in 2023 but the exact release date is currently unknown.
Scream VI
The 6th instalment of the classic slasher that introduced the iconic Ghostface will be released on March 10. Fans of the Scream franchise will get to see a darker and more gory version than the previous series.
The cast includes Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Hayden Panettiere, Courteney Cox, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, and Josh Segarra. The original protagonist in the first 5 films, Neve Campbell quit the franchise due to an undesirable pay offer to reprise her role.
The story will begin where it ended in Scream (2022) when Sam (Barrera) and Tara (Ortega) leave their fateful town behind to move to New York City. However, the masked horror follows them there as well. Then ensues a thrilling fight for survival as the number of suspects continues to rise.
