'Argo'
© Warner Bros Pictures
Starring: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, and John Goodman
The Buzz: Ben Affleck's back behind the camera with Argo, the dramatic story of the rescue of six Americans stranded during the Iran hostage crisis. Based on real events, the film also finds Affleck in front of the camera as a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist who comes up with a bizarre plan to get the six to safety. Affleck's previous directorial efforts, The Town and Gone, Baby, Gone, have shown just how talented he is behind the camera, so there's every reason to believe Argo will be something special.
Release Date: September 14, 2012
The Buzz: Ben Affleck's back behind the camera with Argo, the dramatic story of the rescue of six Americans stranded during the Iran hostage crisis. Based on real events, the film also finds Affleck in front of the camera as a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist who comes up with a bizarre plan to get the six to safety. Affleck's previous directorial efforts, The Town and Gone, Baby, Gone, have shown just how talented he is behind the camera, so there's every reason to believe Argo will be something special.
Release Date: September 14, 2012
'Skyfall'
© Columbia Pictures
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, and Ralph Fiennes
The Plot: Daniel Craig is back as Bond, James Bond in this 23rd film of the suave superspy franchise, with series newbie/Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) as director. The film was put on hold due to MGM's financial troubles back in April 2010, and it wasn't until January 2011 that production got back on track. And by the time Bond #23 arrives in theaters, it will have been four years since Quantum of Solace was released. Which, due to the strength of the fan base, doesn't really. The franchise can take a break between releasing films, exchange the leading man every few films, and still draw big numbers at the box office.
Release Date: November 9, 2012
The Plot: Daniel Craig is back as Bond, James Bond in this 23rd film of the suave superspy franchise, with series newbie/Oscar winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) as director. The film was put on hold due to MGM's financial troubles back in April 2010, and it wasn't until January 2011 that production got back on track. And by the time Bond #23 arrives in theaters, it will have been four years since Quantum of Solace was released. Which, due to the strength of the fan base, doesn't really. The franchise can take a break between releasing films, exchange the leading man every few films, and still draw big numbers at the box office.
Release Date: November 9, 2012
'Breaking Dawn Part 2'
Breaking Dawn Part 1 © Summit Entertainment
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, and Peter Facinelli
The Buzz: The final chapter of the Twilight Saga finally arrives in 2012, with fans anxiously awaiting the chance to watch Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner portray Stephenie Meyer's three main protagonists for one last time. And because it's the final film of the five-part movie franchise, the anticipation is higher than it's been since back in 2008 when Twilight #1 made its way to theaters. Storylines will be wrapped up, and Twihards will get to say their goodbyes to Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Expect a huge box office take for this last, long-awaited film of the series.
Release Date: November 16, 2012
The Buzz: The final chapter of the Twilight Saga finally arrives in 2012, with fans anxiously awaiting the chance to watch Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner portray Stephenie Meyer's three main protagonists for one last time. And because it's the final film of the five-part movie franchise, the anticipation is higher than it's been since back in 2008 when Twilight #1 made its way to theaters. Storylines will be wrapped up, and Twihards will get to say their goodbyes to Bella, Edward, and Jacob. Expect a huge box office take for this last, long-awaited film of the series.
Release Date: November 16, 2012
'Les Miserables'
Hugh Jackman Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Eddie Redmayne, and Helena Bonham-Carter
The Buzz: Will fans of the Broadway hit follow Les Miserables to the big screen? If so, this adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel is set to become one of the biggest movie musicals of the past few decades. And with Wolverine's Hugh Jackman in the lead, this Les Mis could draw in a wider demographic than just fans of musicals.
Release Date: December 7, 2012
The Buzz: Will fans of the Broadway hit follow Les Miserables to the big screen? If so, this adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel is set to become one of the biggest movie musicals of the past few decades. And with Wolverine's Hugh Jackman in the lead, this Les Mis could draw in a wider demographic than just fans of musicals.
Release Date: December 7, 2012
'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'
© New Line Cinema and MGM
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, and Andy Serkis
The Plot: After a rocky period of starts and stops (mostly due to MGM's financial problems), part one of The Hobbit is schedule for release in late 2012. Peter Jackson, a man who knows more about Middle Earth than practically anyone on the planet, is once again back in the director's chair, and he co-wrote the script with Guillermo del Toro (who was at one point attached to direct), Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Martin Freeman is an inspired choice to play Bilbo Baggins, with many of the familiar Lord of the Rings players also returning for this prequel.
Release Date: December 14, 2012
The Plot: After a rocky period of starts and stops (mostly due to MGM's financial problems), part one of The Hobbit is schedule for release in late 2012. Peter Jackson, a man who knows more about Middle Earth than practically anyone on the planet, is once again back in the director's chair, and he co-wrote the script with Guillermo del Toro (who was at one point attached to direct), Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Martin Freeman is an inspired choice to play Bilbo Baggins, with many of the familiar Lord of the Rings players also returning for this prequel.
Release Date: December 14, 2012
'The Great Gatsby'
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and Joel Edgerton
The Buzz: Baz Luhrmann directs this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic story, and while the cast is first-rate and Fitzgerald fans are looking forward to this latest film version of his novel, Luhrmann and Warner Bros' decision to release The Great Gatsby in 3D seems a bit strange. Why this film in that format? How will 3D enhance this story of love and deception set in the 1920s? I don't have the answers, but let's hope Luhrmann does.
Release Date: December 25, 2012
The Buzz: Baz Luhrmann directs this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic story, and while the cast is first-rate and Fitzgerald fans are looking forward to this latest film version of his novel, Luhrmann and Warner Bros' decision to release The Great Gatsby in 3D seems a bit strange. Why this film in that format? How will 3D enhance this story of love and deception set in the 1920s? I don't have the answers, but let's hope Luhrmann does.
Release Date: December 25, 2012
'Django Unchained'
Quentin Tarantino Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Kurt Russell, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L Jackson, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The Buzz: Director Quentin Tarantino proved he's still a force to be reckoned with after a couple of missteps with the release of Inglourious Basterds in 2009. Now he's back again, reuniting with a lot of familiar faces from his past films for a Western that tells the tale of a former slave (Jamie Foxx) trying to save his wife from an evil plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). Great cast, interesting plot, and Tarantino at the helm - yes, Django Unchained legitimately deserves to be one of the most anticipated films of 2012.
Release Date: December 25, 2012
The Buzz: Director Quentin Tarantino proved he's still a force to be reckoned with after a couple of missteps with the release of Inglourious Basterds in 2009. Now he's back again, reuniting with a lot of familiar faces from his past films for a Western that tells the tale of a former slave (Jamie Foxx) trying to save his wife from an evil plantation owner (Leonardo DiCaprio). Great cast, interesting plot, and Tarantino at the helm - yes, Django Unchained legitimately deserves to be one of the most anticipated films of 2012.
Release Date: December 25, 2012
'Lincoln'
Daniel Day-Lewis Photo by Francois Durand/Getty Images
Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The Buzz: There are two Abraham Lincoln films hitting theaters in 2012, and this is the one that doesn't find Honest Abe hunting down vampires. Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis in this historical drama that has 'Oscar' written all over it. Spielberg's wanted to make a film based on the critically acclaimed book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns for years, and for a while it was Liam Neeson who was on board to play Lincoln. However, Neeson left the project in early 2010 and Day-Lewis, who looks astonishingly like the 16th President in early photos released from the set, stepped in to take over.
Release Date: December 2012
The Buzz: There are two Abraham Lincoln films hitting theaters in 2012, and this is the one that doesn't find Honest Abe hunting down vampires. Steven Spielberg directs Daniel Day-Lewis in this historical drama that has 'Oscar' written all over it. Spielberg's wanted to make a film based on the critically acclaimed book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns for years, and for a while it was Liam Neeson who was on board to play Lincoln. However, Neeson left the project in early 2010 and Day-Lewis, who looks astonishingly like the 16th President in early photos released from the set, stepped in to take over.
Release Date: December 2012
'Gangster Squad'
© Warner Bros Pictures
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and Nick Nolte
The Buzz: After starring in 2011's Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Ides of March, and Drive, Ryan Gosling still hasn't worn out his welcome. Here, he takes on the role of a LA cop who's part of a special, secret 'Gangster Squad' formed to take down mob kingpin Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn). Inspired by true events, Gangster Squad is director Ruben Fleischer's first foray into dramatic fare following his success with Zombieland and his miss with 30 Minutes or Less. But it's the guys in front of the camera who are the reason this film's generating lots of pre-release buzz.
Release Date: TBD
The Buzz: After starring in 2011's Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Ides of March, and Drive, Ryan Gosling still hasn't worn out his welcome. Here, he takes on the role of a LA cop who's part of a special, secret 'Gangster Squad' formed to take down mob kingpin Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn). Inspired by true events, Gangster Squad is director Ruben Fleischer's first foray into dramatic fare following his success with Zombieland and his miss with 30 Minutes or Less. But it's the guys in front of the camera who are the reason this film's generating lots of pre-release buzz.
Release Date: TBD
