Comebacks and biopics: What’s in store for 2024
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“We have to say it looks promising,” was the verdict when Roobla previewed 2023 at the movies – well, it did until a spot of industrial action entered the screenscape. It meant that many films were either delayed or didn’t happen at all: how were we to know? The knock-on effects of the unrest will continue to be felt for a while yet, so you’ll have to take 2024’s incarnation with a pinch of salted popcorn. We hope as much as you do that the next twelve months will run smoothly, so let this be your guide… for now.
January
Now keep up, because we begin with an adaptation of an adaptation. The latest version of Mean Girls is actually based on the stage musical, which was of course derived from the original 2004 movie. 'The Plastics' still rule the lockers, however, you can rest assured of that. If you prefer your comedy a little more quirky and Python-esque, there's biblical satire with The Book of Clarence.
February
A month for music, with not one but two biopics coming your way. They're named after arguably both the respective musicians' biggest songs, Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive and Bob Marley: One Love (although to be fair, it's a struggle to name another track by the former). Comic book afficianados will marvel at Sony's Madame Web, whilst spy-seekers are bound to love Argylle.
March
It's time for New York's finest to do battle with the paranormal once again, in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with Kung Fu Panda 4 and the belated Dune 2 bringing in the reinforcements. In fact 'belated' could be used to sum-up 2024, but let's not get negative. As good as the March menu looks, even that little lot could be put in the shade with Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho's follow-up to Parasite, the sci-fi adaptation Mickey 17.
April
A bit thin on the ground, it has to be said, in terms of both quality and quantity. You never know though, Godzilla x King: The New Empire may just surprise us, even if on paper it looks like just another ill-advised vanity project. To be honest it'll probably need to pull an Easter bunny or two out of the hat, as monster-movie projects aren't exactly noted for modest budgets. A romcom set in the cut-throat world of grand slam tennis, Challengers offers the ultimate antithesis.
May
Many a Generation X-er will be enjoying a true blast from the past when The Fall Guy crashes into town. Ryan Gosling takes on the 80s title role of the stuntman/bounty hunter, with Emily Blunt as his leading lady. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will fill its share of seats, but the most intriguing prospect of this month comes in the form of Back to Black, charting the rise and career of the late great Amy Winehouse.
June
They say you should never judge a book by it's cover, and the same can be said with a movie and it's title. Ballerina isn't any old spin-off, it just so happens to be the first from the John Wick franchise. Although Keanu Reeves will be involved, along with a stellar cast comprising of Ian McShane, Anjelica Huston and Gabriel Byrne, it stars Ana de Armas as the female assassin out for revenge. For a walk away from the wild side, Pixar will be bringing you the sequel to the delightful Inside Out.
July
Anyone else been wondering why Ryan Reynolds hasn't been seen in or around North Wales for a while? A certain Deadpool 3 could well have something to do with it, so unless you're a die-hard Wrexham fan you'll probably let him off. Despicable Me 4 and Twisters provide their own unique brands of craziness to add further substance to summer 2024, although it's not yet clear whether the latter movie's a follow-up to the 1996 original or something new.
August
The ninth installment of the legendary sci-fi franchise, Alien: Romulus will surely be one of the season's hottest tickets. Set between Alien and Aliens, it's been a long time coming for some, not least because more recent predecessors have been somewhat lacking, let's say. Elsewhere, Spider-Man enthusiasts will be beside themselves with the news that the villainous Kraken the Hunter finally takes the leap onto the big screen.
September
We've been saying his name countless times for the last 35 years, when any true fan knows it should only be three. Beetlejuice is back! Hollywood's very own renaissance man, Michael Keaton, reprises possibly his most famous role, with the always hilarious Catherine O'Hara also coming back for the sequel. Heck, even Winona Ryder's taking a break from Stranger Things for this one, so we're not really too bothered about anything else this month!
October
If you've still yet to witness Joaquin Phoenix as Joker then what exactly have you been doing with your life? Make it your new year's resolution to watch 2019's greatest film because you've only got until October before the painted misfit returns for Joker: Folie á Deux. Trust us, it'll soon be here, but if you just can't bring yourself to commit then there's always Terrifier 3.
November
We have a coin-flip in the penultimate month. On one side you've got another Ridley Scott-inspired follow-up in Gladiator 2; on the other there's musical adaptation Wicked Part One. Movie-goers have been crying out for the pair of them for years, but there's no reason you can't have an Ancient Roman epic and the greatest musical of all-time. Poor old Venom 3 could be well and truly put in the shade
December
Crikey, where do we start? In true Yuletide spirit, there's fun for all the family in December 2024. Let's begin with Disney's heavyweight contender - it's only Mufasa: The Lion King! An extraordinarily tough act to follow, but how does The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim grab you? What about Karate Kid or Sonic the Hedgehog 3? Okay we give up... or at least we would if it weren't for a reboot of the great-grandaddy of vampires, Nosferatu. Does Christmas really only have to be once a year?
As great as it is to see so many classics being given a second outing (Jurassic Park probably topped the pile in 2023), we need as many new releases as possible. Nostalgia can be a wonderful thing, but it can't keep cinema afloat. That might sound an odd thing to say, what with sequels and reboots continuing to stifle creativity and untapped talent, but for now, ticket sales are a picture house's priority. Besides, which up-and-coming filmmaker wouldn't love to see their work play out on the big screen?
Here's to 2024 hopefully being cinema's year, and if there's anything you're particularly looking forward to, let us know in the usual place.
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