It’s been quite a tumultuous time for the movie industry of late, with many projects either delayed slightly, pushed backed to some unknown date or cancelled altogether. Still, the show must go on, and we will be treated to a raft of new releases in the coming weeks or months as the industry finally gets back to something near normal.
Indeed, lest we forget: We are living in the time of the Hollywood sequel, with literally 100s of sequels and reboots in the works – or rumored to be so – in the coming years. While 2020 can’t be said to have been a great year for movies, we still have some intriguing films coming out soon. Notably some interesting sequels. Below we pick out five that will hit the screens before Christmas:
Bill and Ted Face the Music – September 1st
Arriving in theaters and an on-demand release in a few days, Bill and Ted Face the Music has been almost a decade in the making since fans learned a new script was in the works. A direct sequel to 1991’s Bogus Journey, only a slight delay in release by a couple of weeks will not have bothered fans too much. The question, however, remains about the appetite for the shtick delivered by the most excellent duo. Interestingly, IGT released a Bill and Ted slot game, which you can play here at this site: https://www.casino.com/casino-games/. That was well-received by players, but will we say the same for the new movie? You see, Bill and Ted is very much a child of the optimism of the late 80s and early 90s. How will that message be received in the cynical 2020s?
Wonder Woman 1984 – October 20th
You get the feeling that it’s going to be a pivotal couple of years for the DCEU, and the superhero movie business (see below) in general. And, it’s going to be interesting to see how Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman fits into DC’s future, especially with hints at darker stories and characters. Still, we expect to see some fine swashbuckling action as Patty Jenkins once again takes the director’s chair to spin a tale of Wonder Woman battling baddies in the Cold-War era. Incredibly, filming wrapped on this movie all the way back in 2018; it feels like a lot has happened since then.
Black Widow – November 6th
As with Wonder Woman above, Marvel’s Black Widow arrives at what feels like a watershed moment for the business of putting superheroes on screen. However, there is a sense that Black Widow should have been made before the release of Avengers: Endgame, and, as such, fans should be able to compartmentalize it and not worry too much about how it fits into future Marvel films. Still, Scarlett Johannson probably doesn’t get enough credit for her role as Black Widow, and she more than deserves the standalone story to round out the character.
No Time to Die – November 20th
Bond No. 25 will hit the screens in the last fall, after its initial April 2020 release was pushed back. What do we get with this one, then? More of the same, of course, with Daniel Craig’s edgy James Bond coming out of retirement to face foes new and familiar. Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) gets the nod as the chief villain, Safin, but there is also a return for Christoph Waltz as the dastardly Blofeld. This will be Craig’s last Bond movie, and there is sure to be rampant speculation as to who fills the role next.
Coming 2 America – December 18th
Like Bill and Ted, it’s really going to be interesting to see how this sequel fits into the world we live in today. The original Coming to America was charming, in its way, but managed to be simultaneously offensive and reverential about the characters’ African origins. Craig Brewer, who directed Eddie Murphy in the brilliant Dolemite Is My Name, is in the director’s chair, and you can be sure there will be a bit more regard for sensibilities than original director John Landis. Our prediction is that it will be a surprise hit, and further raise the idea that Eddie Murphy is back in the big time.
