This year’s sequel-laden summer movie season begins this month with the quintessential hat trick of trilogies: Spider-Man 3, then Shrek the Third, and finally Pirates of the Caribbean: At The World’s End.
The amazing Spidey will contend with Sandman, played by Thomas Haden Church (Wings, Sideways), Venom, played by Topher Grace (That '70s Show), and former best friend Harry Osborne, played by James Franco (Flyboys). Audiences get a full story (140 minutes) including Gwen Stacy, played by Bryce Dallas Howard (The Village, Lady in the Water) who develops a crush on Spider-Man.
Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, and Antonio Banderas return to voice Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss in Boots respectively. Filmmakers add more fairy tale characters featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake, Amy Sedaris, and John Krasinski (The Office).
In Pirates of the Caribbean: At The World’s End, Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Orlando Bloom, and Bill Nighy all return in their seafaring roles with some surprise characters and pirate captain Sao Feng, played by Chow Yun-Fat (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
It will be hard to compete against these three surefire hits, but here are a few that will try.
MAY
The delayed drama/comedy Lucky You stars Drew Barrymore and Eric Bana (Troy). Robert Duvall also co-stars and Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) directs this gambling-themed film. The family drama Georgia Rule stars Jane Fonda, Felicity Huffman, and Lindsay Lohan in her first R-rated movie. Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman) directs. Jon Voight and Terence Stamp star in the drama September Dawn, which chronicles real-life events set in the 1850s between settlers and Mormon militia. How about some comedy? Seth Rogan (Freak & Geeks) and Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) star in the relationship comedy Knocked Up.
Lately Hollywood has produced a lot of scary movies and this summer will be no exception. This trend continues with the thriller Bug, starring genre vet Ashley Judd and actor/singer Harry Connick Jr. William Friedkin (The Exorcist) directs. 28 Weeks Later sets up more zombie-infested action in Britain with lead star Robert Carlyle (The World is Not Enough, The Full Monty). This is a sequel to the Danny Boyle-directed, Cillian Murphy starmaker 28 Days Later.
Update: September Dawn will open on June 22nd.
JUNE
June begins with Mr. Brooks, a promising drama/thriller in which a tough detective played by Demi Moore investigates a family man played by Kevin Costner. Look for William Hurt to possibly steal the show here, which could expand into a planned trilogy if successful. Ocean’s 13 expands this summer’s amazing sequel cache adding Al Pacino to the stellar cast that includes George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, and Carl Reiner. The superhero-filled Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer also opens in June, with the original cast for the foursome and Dr. Doom returning. Fans can look for more action featuring the Surfer as a completely computer-generated character.
Article comments
1 - Mr.Movie
I can't wait to see this movie!!!!!!!!
September Dawn
TERENCE STAMP IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!