Summer has traditionally been the time for hyped-up films and dueling studios as they struggle to produce the biggest box office smash. This summer will be no exception, with a handful of highly-anticipated sequels (or prequels), some strong contenders for comedy-dramas, and a couple digital masterpieces. Here's a sneak peak at nine of the most talked about projected summer blockbusters.
Without a doubt, the most highly-anticipated summer release is Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. It opens on May 16, which means that the hardcore fans have been camping outside of the theaters for at least a couple weeks now. The plot is being closely guarded by director George Lucas, but we do know that Anakin (Hayden Christensen) has grown and gained experience as the Jedi apprentice of Obi-Wan (Ewan McGregor), who is now a teacher. The two Jedi must protect Padme (Natalie Portman) whose life is endangered by a faction of political separatists. Oh, and there are probably some clones involved, too.
Sony's projected hit for the summer is Spider-Man, a digitally-advanced spin on the famous comic book superhero. After being bitten by a radioactive spider, strange things start happening to nerdy high school student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire). He mutates into a man-spider with the ability to scale walls and ceilings, and develops a "spider-sense" that warns him of impending danger. After his uncle is murdered, Peter swears to use his powers to fight the evil that killed him, adopting the Spider-Man persona. Spider-Man thus focuses all of his crime-fighting efforts against the super-strong, psychotic Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), but of course reserves some energy to win the affections of his gorgeous classmate, Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst). Early reviews of the film, to be released on May 3, have been positive, and the trailer's graphics are indeed impressive.
In a similar cartoon-to-live-action feat, Warner Bros. have resurrected the four famous teen sleuths and their lovable dog in Scooby-Doo. Much like the animated TV show, this version, opening June 14, will follow Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby in their hilarious adventures as they unmask criminals and help save the world. Directed by Raja Gosnell, the film stars Freddie Prinze Jr., Matthew Lillard, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Linda Cardellini and a digitally-enhanced Scooby.
If you're looking for something a little more intense than Scooby, this next movie is for you. Its title invokes thoughts of royalty, and perhaps this is only fitting for the King of Horror, Jason Voorhees. New Line Cinema's summer release, Jason X, is the 10th film to chronicle the violent exploits of Jason (Kane Hodder). This movie takes viewers 400 years into the future, when Earth is a desolate mass. Alien explorers search the barren terrain and discover two cryogenically frozen people. I won't insult your intelligence by telling you who one of them is. No longer in the forest or at Camp Crystal Lake, Jason gets to stalk the colonists in whole new environment. Jason X opens tomorrow in theaters everywhere.
Also opening tomorrow is Regency Entertainment's Life or Something Like It. The studio is counting on it to be the early summer blockbuster, and its collection of stars is a good indicator for its strong potential for success. Directed by Stephen Herek, the film stars Angelina Jolie (as a blonde, no less!), and features Stockard Channing, Edward Burns, and Tony Shalhoub. Jolie plays a reporter, Lanie Kerrigan, who interviews a homeless man (Shalhoub) for a fluff piece about a football game's score. Instead, he tells her that her life has no meaning, and, even worse, that she is going to die in just a few days. This ominous prediction galvanizes Lanie into action in an attempt to change the pattern of her life, to make it more meaningful before it is too late.
Directed by the Weitz brothers and based on Nick Hornby's best-selling novel, Universal Picture's About a Boy looks to be this summer's most promising comedy-drama. Opening May 17, the movie tells the tale of Will Freeman (Hugh Grant, looking especially dashing in a new haircut), a wealthy, irresponsible, 30-something bachelor in search of an available woman. His strategy is to enroll in single parent meetings, inventing an imaginary son, and thereby hooking up with single moms. As a result of one of these liaisons, he meets Marcus (Nicholas Hoult), a socially-awkward young boy. As Will and Marcus become friends, Will teaches the boy how to be cool, and Marcus helps Will to grow up.
Pay attention, girls: Ben Affleck is back! Unfortunately, The Sum of All Fears is action-packed, i.e. less close-ups on his face ?_" or elsewhere. Based on a novel by Tom Clancy (and perhaps also fueled by the events of 2001), this Paramount Pictures film also features Morgan Freeman and James Cromwell. Due to tensions between Russia and the United States, Director of Central Intelligence Bill Cabot (Freeman) recruits a young analyst from the Russian desk, Jack Ryan (Affleck), to supply insight on the problems. After a nuclear bomb levels Chechnya, Ryan proves that Arab terrorists bent on provoking open war between the two nations have been moving behind the scenes to escalate the conflict. Baltimore, who is hosting the Super Bowl, becomes the second target of the terrorists. Will Ryan save the nation while maintaining his good looks? Find out in theaters on May 31.
Opening July 3, Men in Black 2 will undoubtedly reign in the box office. Barry Sonnenfeld directs the sequel, which follows the efforts of Agent J (Will Smith) to save the world from the aliens living among us. In this film, Agent J uncovers a plot masterminded by Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle), an evil alien who disguises herself as a lingerie model. After Serleena takes the MIB headquarters hostage, J must turn to his old partner, Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones), who is now a postal worker, for help.
Speaking of sequels, your favorite Man of Mystery is back and randy as ever. Austin Powers in Goldmember opens on July 26, and is directed by Jay Roach for New Line Cinema. This film actually takes place before the original, in the 1950s, when Austin (Mike Meyers) and Dr. Evil (also Meyers) are rival classmates. Viewers will learn how Austin became a secret agent and fashion icon of the 60s, while Dr. Evil turned, well, evil. The movie's star-studded cast includes Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Beyonce Knowles, Seth Green, Britney Spears, Josh Zuckerman, and Fred Savage.
Other films you might want to check out include Deuces Wild (May 3), Unfaithful (May 10), Insomnia (May 24), Enough (May 24), Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (June 7), The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course (June 12), The Bourne Identity (June 14), Windtalkers (June 14) and Pumpkin (June 28).
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