It’s a month into 2018. While Black Panther certainly cannot get here fast enough, people’s minds always wander to the future. Most people say they live in the moment, but everyone wants to make sure that they’re not the one who didn’t see the latest blockbuster come Monday. With 2019’s slate of films already covered, it’s time to look waaay into the future. Time for movie fans to contemplate if the 20’s will be roaring again in 2020.
Jokes aside, Marvel, DC, and Fox each have three unnamed films lined-up for that year. While two-thirds of those films will belong to Disney by then, it doesn’t mean that lack of names is not frustrating. Some dates have been announced for other franchises and properties. Are they superheroes? Not in the strictest sense of the definition, but they are super in their own ways. In 2020, a shared cinematic universe will be born, classic properties will be revitalized, and old favorites will share goodbyes. It also looks like a year where marketing will truly come out in strong, possibly brightly yellow, force. So prepare accordingly. That is not a joke.
While fans will revisit old friends from childhood, the films certainly promise action and interesting stories. Let’s hope the promises live up with the 15 Superhero Movies You Didn't Know Where Confirmed For 2020.
Guardians of the Galaxy 3
It’s safe to say that fans love the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. With a soundtrack meant for cruising the galaxy, these guys have wormed their way into audiences’ hearts. While many a Marvel fan awaits with bated breath to see the Guardians and the Avengers team up in Infinity War, it’s the third film of the franchise that will break hearts.
Director James Gunn confirmed that the third film will come out in 2020. While he didn’t have a date, Marvel has reserved three releases for its cinematic universe. Gunn also said that this film will mark an end for the team as fans know them. This may hurt said fans more than “We are Groot.” Still, fans can (hopefully) take the image of Tony Stark and a cybernetic raccoon fighting together into the film.
Flashpoint
Another film without an official release date, this film version of the comic book storyline probably represents a reset for the shared DC films. The Ezra Miller starrer was meant to come out in 2018. Due to some major behind-the-scenes issues with finding a director and switcheroos with Warner Brothers executives, it has been pushed back.
Fans of the TV show version of the character had a taste of Flashpoint in season three. In the comics, however, Barry’s decision to run back in time to save his mom had serious consequences. Metropolis was a wasteland. Amazons and Atlaneans tore the world apart in a war. Thomas Wayne was a murderous Batman. Barry, meanwhile, had his mother, but was without his superspeed. If the film keeps more in line with its comic book origins, then expect one heck of a climax.
Green Lantern Corps
After 2011’s Green Lantern, it’s amazing that Warner Brothers and DC are even returning to this at all. Ryan Reynolds can still probably milk a few more jokes. The focus, however, has switched from just one Green Lantern to the entire Corps. The film will definitely have human Green Lantern’s Hal Jordan and John Stewart in the film. Reportedly, Kyle Rayner will also be involved, but that just seems like a rumor for now.
No director has been attached to the project. David S. Goyer will pen the script. Earlier in January, however, he admitted that he doesn’t know when it will move forward. Call the release date of July 24th, 2020 tentative at best. Hopefully, however, the Lanterns will be lighting our screens come 2020.
Cyborg
Since the DC film slot was announced way back in the fall of 2014, the Cyborg movie has been on the film slate. It has also had the year 2020 next to it. Outside of Ray Fisher confirmed to star in the project, not much is known about the film itself. At the moment, there’s not even a writer or direct attached. If the studios want to meet that release, then they’re going to have to get cooking and fast.
As stated with Flashpoint, there have been some major reworkings at Warner Brothers and DC Films. While Cyborg hopefully will appear come April 3rd, 2020, prepare yourself for the announcement that it may be pushed back. Until that announcement comes, however, just pray that they get better CGI than what happened in 2017’s Justice League. Cyborg deserves better.
Avatar 2
This is the long-awaited sequel to the 2009 movie Avatar. The film shattered box office records and ushered in a new era of 3D filmmaking. It also kicks off a relatively quick succession of films in the new pentalogy. The third film will be released in 2021 with four and five coming in 2024 and 2025.
Not much is known about the latest part of the franchise, except a slew of child actors have joined as children of the characters from the first film. Direct James Cameron needed to wait for technology to catch up for his ambitious vision of the sequel. While there is a Pandora (the planet of Nav’vi) park in Disney, one does wonder if eleven years is a little long to wait for a sequel. Films have gone longer though between parts. So let’s see if this one lives up to the hype on December 18th, 2020.
G.I. Joe
These All-American heroes have graced the big screen twice before with 2009’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. Unfortunately, these films will not carry over to the 2020 reboot. It appears that this movie will kick off the shared cinematic universe between the Hasbro properties. Not a lot is known about said film at this time, as a director hasn’t even been set yet.
Much like the previous franchise and its animated counterparts, the movie will probably focus on the elite tactical unit as they battle the terrorist organization known as Cobra. Honestly? Cobra Commander is still one of the most over the top villains to come out of the 80s. Live in hope that Hasbro and Paramount cast someone who can chew scenery with the best of them. It hits theatres on March 27th, 2020.
Indiana Jones Sequel
Since 2008’s less than stellar Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the franchise remained in a deep limbo. Is Harrison Ford returning? Is it a continuation? Will the franchise just be rebooted? Could Chris Pratt play Indiana? Eventually, the questions died down. It’s a sequel, not a reboot. Yes, Harrison Ford will return to play the role. Will Crystal Skull be taken into account? We’ll just have to wait and see.
The film, the fifth in the franchise, was originally set for 2019. It, however, has been pushed back since then. The film will also be the first without any participation from George Lucas. Steven Speilberg will direct the outing and David Koepp will write the screenplay. The film is set for release on July 10th, 2020.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Now this is the match-up of the century. Okay, sure, the puny humans on Earth may not think so. For those that will eagerly fill theatres? It’s the match-up of the century. The films will be the fourth in the titled “Monsterverse” series of films. So far, its predecessors are 2014’s Godzilla, 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, and next year’s Godzilla: King of Monsters.
Adam Wingard, who directed You’re Next and Netflix’s Death Note, has signed on for the film. He also promised fans that the film will have a definite winner. Who will it be? Well fans are going to have to wait for May 22nd, 2020 to find out. In the meantime, just imagine all the Team Godzilla or Team Kong Twitter fights. Hopefully, it won’t be as brutal as Tumblr’s Captain America: Civil War fights of 2016.
Fast & Furious 9
After over a decade of storytelling, this film will be the penultimate one in the two-decade long franchise. Following Fast & Furious 9, there will only be one left. It definitely feels like the end of an era. Now while there’s a two-year wait for the film, there’s some intense behind-the-scenes drama boiling in the present.
Tyrese Gibson, who plays Roman Pearce in the films, blamed Dwayne Johnson for the film’s delay. Universal pushed it back to 2020 in order for a Hobbs-centric spin-off to take the 2019 release. Gibson slammed Johnson on Instagram and called him a clown. Vin Diesel, the main star of the franchise, responded that “it would be unfair to say it is anyone’s fault.” Either way, tensions may be a little chilly when the crew comes together to film Fast & Furious 9. The film’s release is April 10th, 2020.
Fantastic Beasts 3
The Wizarding World will cast its spell over audiences come November 2018. While Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald promises an excitingly dark adventure through Wizarding Paris, fans are wondering where the third film will take them. Alas! It’s a two-year wait for the next film in the pentalogy.
Director David Yates, however, did promise that each film will take place in a different major cities. The five films will have a 19-year arc ending in 1945, with the sequel taking place in 1928, then fans will probably see the Wizarding World during the Great Depression in the third film. In the meantime, however, wizards at heart will just have to wait and wonder about a trailer for the 2018 film. Fantastic Beasts 3 will hit theatres on November 20, 2020.
Barbie
If you ask any small child, then Barbie is totally a superhero. She’s had careers in almost everything from the arts to business to politics and more. In addition, she maintains a kind-hearted, caring nature that lends itself to a desire to help others. While Barbie will not engage in explosions or fighting an evil Barbie, she will have to contend with the real world in her 2020 live-action movie.
Originally, Amy Schumer was attached to the star in this picture. After she dropped out, Anne Hathaway took over the role with Alethea Jones attached to direct. The synopsis is definitely intriguing: “A doll living in 'Barbieland' is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world.” It certainly sounds like some type of self-discovery/coming of age/origin story. Barbieland will cross the screen May 8th, 2020.
Scooby
Very few cartoon characters have quite the longevity that Scooby-Doo and his crew have enjoyed. Since the 60s, however, they have prevailed through live-action and animated properties. The most recent, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! airs on Cartoon Network with its second season currently airing. Plus, the original theme song is just an earworm of epic proportions.
To the delight of many, Scooby-Doo and the meddling kids of the Mystery Machine will hit the big screen again. This time, however, it will not be in live-action (children of the early 00’s can remember those films either fondly or in a full-body cringe). An animated reboot of the classic property will hit screens in 2020. Dax Shephard and Tom Cervone (Space Jam) reportedly will direct the film. It will come from the Warner Animation Group banner of WB, who also did The Legion Movie and Lego Batman. It will hit May 15, 2020.
Minions 2
This one more comfortably fits in the whole superhero angle. The Minions movies spin-off from the Despicable Me franchise, where the little yellow pill-shaped beings serve supervillains. While everyone who lived through the Great Minion Craze of 2015 are probably not ready for the wave of bright yellow marketing, the actual film was well-received. Hopefully, in 2020, things will come down.
At the ends of the first Minions movie, the odd beings met a young Gru and decided to follow him. It’s possible for fans to see the not-so-despicable supervillain in his early years with the sequel. Granted, it’s hard to tell where the film will go. Seeing Gru at the start of his career though, it does sound amazing. Expect the film in July 3rd, 2020.
Micronauts
Now this is probably a blast from the past, huh? Recently, Hasbro announced its foray into the shared cinematic universe for five of its properties. No, don’t expect any Transformers coming in. G.I. Joe, Micronauts, M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand), Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light, and ROM: The Space Knight will be in their own cinematic universe from Paramount Pictures and Hasbro’s Allspark Pictures.
The concept for Micronauts is simple enough. The Micronauts are a group of alien explorers who find that, on Earth, they are absolutely miniscule. Essentially, they’re the size of the action figures Hasbro’s selling. They fight the otherworldly threats that escaped the notice of humanity, especially their arch-nemesis Baron Karza. Essentially, it sounds like all the fun shrinking parts of Ant-Man and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids! without the worry of having to grow. The film drops on October 16th, 2020.
Nimona
Ah Nimona! This fantasy webcomic brought the masses to the massively talented Noelle Stevenson. It chronicles the adventures of Lord Ballister Blackheart, a supervillain mad scientist who was formerly a knight, who hires a young shapeshifter named Nimona as his sidekick. Together, they try to foil the plots of the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics where they come into conflict with their approach. Nimona is more scorched Earth policy while Blackheart is more by the book. The duo is pursued by Blackheart’s former friend turned heroic nemesis/love interest, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin.
20th Century Fox Animated acquired the rights back in 2015 with Patrick Osborne (Wreck-It Ralph 2) to direct. It had a release date of February 14th, 2020. Now that’s a Valentine’s Day movie to take your date.
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What 2020 movies are you excited for?