Dizzying. That's what it feels like to glance at the line-up of blockbusters and desirable titles slated for the next 12 months. This will be a very busy year at the cinemas with the intense parade of blockbusters, sequels, reboots and scavenged superheroes in search of redemption or glory — all the more reason for multiplex regulars to rejoice after a somewhat jaded 2014.
Among the list of much-anticipated titles, we pick 13 Hollywood films that will monopolise the headlines in the weeks and months to come. There are still many more than those listed below (e.g. the new Spielberg drama, the new Leonardo DiCaprio film, The Jungle Book, Mission: Impossible 5, a Peter Pan prequel with Hugh Jackman as Hook, The Hunger Games finale) but the selected names here at least let you in on a taste of what's to come.
Fifty Shades Of Grey (February)
With 93 million views on YouTube — that's just the trailer — we know this adaptation of the best-selling kink-porn-S&M-romance novel will lure us, drooling, into the cinemas, regardless of if the film is any good. Starring Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan and directed by San Taylor-Johnson.
Furious 7 (April)
The fast and sometimes furious road-rage franchise returns despite the tragic death of Paul Walker. For Thai fans, one reason to look forward to the film is the casting of Thailand's Tony Jaa as one of the villains (we only hope he doesn't get killed off too quickly). Directed by James Wan (from The Conjuring and Insidious).
Avengers: Age Of Ultron (May)
No need to say much except that the whole bunch of them — including Loki — are back. Directed by, of course, Joss Whedon.
Mad Max: Fury Road (May)
The first Mad Max film, directed by George Miller, came out in 1979 and became a grime-encrusted prototype for post-apocalyptic misadventures. The new film stars Tom Hardy (the baddie from The Dark Knight Rises) instead of Mel Gibson, with Miller (now 69) as the director. Also starring Charlize Theron and Nicolas Hoult.
Jurassic World (June)
The trailer promises new species of extremely hungry dinosaurs, and that's enough for a return to the faux-Jurassic age 14 years after the last film in the franchise.
Inside Out (June)
Pixar's new animated film looks like cerebral exhilaration; the lead characters are five emotions in a girl's brain. The director is Pete Docter, who helmed the original Monsters, Inc and Up.
Terminator Genisys (July)
Schwarzenegger returns as the Terminator, and the dying embers of this 31-year-old franchise are blown back to life. Emily Clark (Daenerys "Mother of Dragon" Targaryen in Game Of Thrones) is Sarah Connor. Directed by Alan Taylor.
Ant-Man (July)
Another Marvel superhero, and this one has the power to reduce himself to the size of an ant. Paul Rudd stars, and Peyton Reed directs. The universe keeps expanding.
Crimson Peak (October)
From Guillermo Del Toro, this Gothic romance stars Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska and Charlie Hunnam.
Spectre (November)
The new Bond film features Daniel Craig as 007, Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, Christophe Waltz as the villain, Monica Belluci as Lucia Sciarra and Lea Seudoux as Madeleine Swann. Directed by Sam Mendes.
Joy (December)
A re-team of Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and director David O Russell — all from the successful and Oscar-worthy Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle. The story is about a single mum and an inventor of the floor mop.
The Hateful Eight (?)
Quentin Tarantino's new film stars Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Samuel Jackson. The story is another visit by the writer/director to the Western genre with a Civil War-set tale of a bounty hunter and a female fugitive.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (December)
What more can we say. The new Star Wars is the ultimate movie event of the year — and this despite the fact that we hardly know anything about the story or the full line-up of characters.
