Somehow, some way, we made it to 2021. Last year, we canvassed the most guy-worthy movies to see. But for obvious reasons cinema was put on hold. 2021 holds the promise of a return to movies as we know them – in movie houses, but also same day releases straight to our homes. So, as we’ve done in years past, we curated the most anticipated films of the year. Movies in 2021 look to have stories that run the gamut. Action, comedy, throwback nostalgia and above all some stories that speak la cultura. Check em’ out here.
March
Coming 2 America
Originally slated for a December 2020 release, the Eddie Murphy sequel was pushed back to March of 2021. It will premiere on Amazon Prime. As to that nostalgia we mentioned. Well, three decades after Prince Akeem found and married his princess in America, he returns.
As he is about to ascend to King of Zamunda Akeem learns he has a long-lost son in the United States and must return to America to meet the unlikely heir to the throne of Zamunda. Eddie Murphy is back as Akeem and, more impressively, the majority of the cast from the original, including Arsenio Hall, Shari Headly, John Amos and James Earl Jones return, with some impressive additions in the form of Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan and Wesley Snipes.
Many Saints of Newark
Okay Sopranos fans. This is the movie you’ve been waiting for. While things don’t pick up exactly where they left off. (Which simply is not possible given the passing of James Gandolfini). We instead get a prequel, showing the formative days of how Tony Soprano and his crew rose through the ranks of the New Jersey mob scene. Written by series creator David Chase the film also stars Gandolfini’s real life son Michael Gandolfini and the original Goodfella himself Ray Liotta.
Morbius
The film stars Jared Leto in the titular role. Morbius: The Living Vampire is a lesser-known character in the MCU, but a great story, nonetheless. The film looks to be the origin tale of biochemist Michael Morbius. As he tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead. From the looks of the trailer it is a faithful rendition. Jared Leto looks perfect in the role. Fans of the MCU may also be pleased to see some world building going on. The trailer contains obvious and not so obvious Spider-Man Easter eggs.
April
No Time to Die
Bond is back. He tried to come back in 2020, but was shelved twice, first in April and then November. This marks the 25th outing in the franchise and the last for Daniel Craig. After five flicks he’s pushing the martini glass back to the bartender. The action, the wardrobe, the one liners and femme fatales all look like vintage Bond. At this stage of the game the character is like an old friend for Daniel Craig. Yet, this time out the villain is played by Rami Malek – also vintage Bond. One nice twist. It appears this go around another 007 agent is on the scene since Bond’s last outing.
A Quiet Place Part II
Initially slated for release in March 2020, the sequel was one of the first films to fall victim to the pandemic. Now set to release in April. The first film was a sleeper hit so you know a sequel would follow. Looks like this go around we will delve into the events that created the setting for the first film, so flashbacks and time jumps are in generous use. John Krasinski once again wrote the script and is behind the director’s chair. Emily Blunt returns as the Abbot family matriarch. So, the elements look promising.
May
Black Widow
Marvel finally does a deep dive into Natasha Romanov’s aka Black Widow’s back-story. In over 10 films in the MCU we’ve gotten bits and pieces of the origin of Black Widow. Yet never a complete picture. The film takes place in between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame. Not a ton is known about the story line, save for the fact that she will be up against The Taskmaster, and she’ll be recruiting the Romanoff family for help.
Fast and Furious 9
The ninth installment of the car racing franchise. Several cast members are returning including Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris and Tyrese Gibson and Nathalie Emmanuel.
We’ve also got some newcomers in the form of John Cena, Ozuna and Cardi B. Save for that not much is known about the plot. Rest assured though it will be testosterone fueled and we will hear the word “family” dropped a number of times.
June
In the Heights
Remember that part about stories of cultura. At the top of our can’t wait to see list has to be In the Heights. Based on the Tony Award winning play written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The movie version is being directed by John M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians) and sports an all-star cast of color, including Anthony Ramos (A Star is Born) Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton, 24), singer/songwriter Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera (Vida), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Rent, Wild Things), Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and Jimmy Smits (NYPD Blue; West Wing; LA Law).
Venom 2: Let There Be Carnage
With Venom being a runaway hit for Sony Pictures, you knew a sequel would not be far behind. Little is known about the sequel, save that it is currently being directed by Andy Serkis and the leading cast will all be returning, so Tom Hardy will once again be Eddie Brock/Venom and Michelle Williams as Ann Weying. Given the post-credits scene which featured Woody Harrelson as Cletus Kasady aka Carnage, as well as Harrelson’s inclusion in the sequel, we can safely assume Carnage will have prominent role in the story. There are so many great ways this could play out. Let’s hope they do it justice.
July
Top Gun: Maverick
Speaking of all nostalgia. Maverick himself is returning to the big screen. That hasn’t happened, well…since 1984. Tom Cruise returns to one of the roles that made him a star. Three decades later Pete Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Of course, some daddy issues are going to arise.
August
The Suicide Squad
Not a sequel, not a reboot of the initial outing of Suicide Squad. So were not really sure what to make of it. Other than James Gunn is in the director’s chair. His work on Guardians of the Galaxy gives him inherent authority in the comic book film world. So, fans are trusting here.
In this outing the squad is much bigger. Returning Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman and Viola Davis as Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Rick Flag and Amanda Waller respectively. But the crew has no less than a dozen new editions in the form of Idris Elba, John Cena, Michael Rooker, Pete Davidson, Alica Braga and Nathan Fillion to name a few.
In terms of story line, Gunn revealed to Slash film that the movie’s mission sends the team to a fake Latin American island called Corto Maltese, and Safran laid out the overarching goal: “There they have to destroy a Nazi-era prison and laboratory named Jotunheim, where political prisoners were held, and experimentations took place.”
October
Dune
Nearly 40 years after the original sci-fi cult film Dune gets a remake. This iteration is directed by Dennis Villenueve (Blade Runner 2049) and boasts an all-star cast, including Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Zendaya, Dave Bautista Jason Mamoa and Javier Bardem.
Warner’s also released the official synopsis for the film:
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
The trailer looks amazing and appears to have Villenueve’s imprint, from color, grandeur and tone, with amazing attention to detail.
November
Eternals
The 25th entry into the MCU will be The Eternals. Based on the Jack Kirby created characters. The films’ synopsis indicated that after an unexpected tragedy following the events of Avengers: Endgame, the Eternals—an immortal alien race created by the Celestials who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7000 years will reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants. The film boasts an all-star cast including Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden and Kit Harrington. Given how well Marvel Studio’s handles its source material we think this will be another smash hit for the MCU.
Spider-Man 3
The third installment of the rebooted franchise, which includes Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far from Home. Official storylines are scant, but the rumor mill is in overdrive. Currently filming in Atlanta, virtually every week there is a casting announcement or rumor. What we know so far is Tom Holland and Marisa Tomei are returning as Peter Parker and Aunt May. Benedict Cumberbatch will reprise his role as Doctor Strange and serve as a mentor to Peter. Also, appearing are Jamie Foxx as Electro and Alfred Molina as Doc Octopus.
Now the fun part, rumor has it the story will expand on the Spider-Verse concept and we will get to see prior incarnations of the web slinger played by Tobey McGuire and Andrew Garfield, along with the respective Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy, so Kirsten Dunst and Emma Stone may return. If they do, let’s hope we get some sort of Miles Morales sighting as well!
Mission Impossible 7
Finally, a film not generated by the MCU, but a sequel nonetheless. Tom Cruise will look to have a busy 2021, as the seventh installment in his Mission Impossible franchise is set for release. Currently, the biggest thing we know about this film is Cruise’s onset COVID-19 rant.
Moviemaking drama aside, Christopher McQuarrie back to direct. Cruise is back with his IMF team, including Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and Rebecca Ferguson. On the spoilery tip, Vanessa Kirby is back as White Widow and Esai Morales will be playing the villain. Were super psyched to see Morales, a great veteran actor, get some marquee billing. Let’s hope he brings some of that villainy we saw in Ozark to the role.
December
Matrix 4
Talk about saving the best for last. Over 20 years ago, a little sci-fi film called The Matrix debuted and changed cinema forever. Just before the 20th anniversary Warner Bros. announced the sequel that will plunge us back into a dystopian future filled sentinel robots and digital fabrications. Plot and storyline are a guarded as Fort Knox. But we do know that Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith are returning. As is original co-director Lana Wachowski, who is set to write, direct, and produce. Newcomers include Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen) and Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist) have been cast in what reports indicate are the lead roles.
The film’s final title has yet to be released, so it’s simply being called Matrix 4. But it is set for release in theaters and HBOMax in December.
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