In spite of the fact that many of 2016’s reboots, sequels and remakes struggled at the box office, Hollywood is banking hard on lots more of them in 2017. So much so that we’re getting pretty much one a week.
Here’s what lies ahead, (and there could have been more, had we included movie takes on TV shows). Top tip: if you want to avoid reboots, remakes and sequels, August is the month to camp out at your local multiplex…
January
Underworld: Blood Wars
The fifth Underworld movie sees Kate Beckinsale back in action, alongside Theo James, Lara Pulver, and Charles Dance. Anna Foerster is in the director’s chair this time around. Expect a decision as to the future of the Underworld movie franchise once the box office numbers for this one are in…
xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage
Vin Diesel resurrects Xander Cage following the box office disappointment that was xXx 2 back in 2005. The trailer for this one promises quite a lean action movie, although Diesel was reportedly unhappy that the first cut of the film was too short, and thus extra material was supposedly edited in. DJ Caruso directs, Ruby Rose, Samuel L. Jackson, Toni Collette, and Donnie Yen lead the supporting cast.
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
This is it, we’re promised. The final Resident Evil movie – well, until the inevitable reboot – that gives Milla Jovovich’s Alice one last hurrah on the big screen. Paul W.S. Anderson is directing again with Ali Larter also back for one last battle.
February
Fifty Shades Darker
Oh, you know. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan return to indulge in hanky spanky panky. Kim Basinger has joined the cast this time, and Glengarry Glen Ross’ James Foley is the new director. The third film in the series follows in February 2018.
Rings
Then reboot/belated sequel of/to The Ring. It goes by the name of Rings, and we’ve had a trailer or two already. Before The Fall helmer F. Javier Gutierrez is in charge of this one. It’s already been bounced around the schedules a bit, mind…
John Wick: Chapter 2
This is more like it. Keanu Reeves returns in the sequel to one of the best action movies of recent years. Ruby Rose, Ian McShane, Bridget Moynahan, Laurence Fishburne, Peter Serafinowicz, and John Leguizamo are also on board, with Chad Stahelski – who co-helmed the original – on sole directorial duties this time.
The Lego Batman Movie
A spin-off from The Lego Movie, that gives Will Arnett’s priceless take on Batman his own film. Chris McKay, who co-directed The Lego Movie with Chris Miller and Phil Lord, has taken charge for this one. Joining Arnett on voicing duties are Ralph Fiennes as Alfred, Jenny Slate as Harley Quinn, Rosario Dawson as Batgirl, Mariah Carey as Mayor McCaskill, Michael Cera as Robin, Billy Dee Williams as Two-Face, and Zach Galifianakis as the Joker. We’re expecting fun. Lots of it.
March
T2: Trainspotting
Even before the first few months of 2017 are done, we’ll have had two ‘belated’ sequels. Unquestionably, the Trainspotting follow-up is the one that’s got us the most interested. Danny Boyle returns to direct in what’s set to be a loose adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s book, Porno. Ewan McGregor, Ewan Bremner, Robert Carlyle and Jonny Lee Miller all return. There’s a toilet in this one too.
Logan
Also known as Wolverine 3, Logan sees Hugh Jackman taken on his most famous role for the final time. Even before Deadpool, Logan has been aiming for its R-rating, and James Mangold returns following The Wolverine to direct this one. We’ll miss you, Hugh…
Get the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!
Kong: Skull Island
A prequel/reboot for King Kong on the big screen, but one with lots of promise. Certainly the promos thus far have been impressive, and the fact that Kings Of Summer helmer Jordan Vogt-Roberts is steering the ship gives us lots of cause for optimism. That, and a cast led by Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Goodman. It all helps.
Beauty and the Beast
A live-action remake of the classic animated feature, Disney’s new Beauty and the Beast will add new songs and see Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the title roles. Bill Condon is directing. Expect a huge hit.
Power Rangers
Lionsgate is eyeing a new franchise and many sequels with its big screen reboot of the Power Rangers. The new film features Elizabeth Banks and Bryan Cranson amongst its cast, and Project Almanac’s Dean Israelite is directing.
Ghost in the Shell
Controversy hasn’t been far away from Rupert Sander’s U.S. remake of Ghost in the Shell. The new film stars Scarlett Johansson, with Michael Wincott and Juliette Binoche in support.
Smurfs: The Lost Village
April
The Fate of the Furious
Summer blockbuster season 2017 gets underway with The Fate of the Furious, which brings together the core ensemble from the last film, with some more cars and stuff. F Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton) is directing, and Universal has announced release dates for two more films in the series, with spin-offs also hinted.
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The third Smurfs movie abandons the hybrid of live action and animation from the two before it, and instead goes for a full-out animated adventure. Kelly Asbury, who directed the likes of Shrek 2 and Gnomeo & Juliet, has overseen this one.
Going In Style
Zach Braff directs this remake of the 1979 heist comedy. Theodore Mefli, helmer of Hidden Figures, has penned the screenplay, and the cast features Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Alan Arkin, Ann-Margret and Christopher Lloyd. George Burns headlined the original.
May
Alien: Covenant
Ridley Scott makes a film that’s set to be a sequel to Prometheus and a prequel to the original Alien film. That said, it doesn’t seem on the surface to carry too much across from Prometheus (although Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace are back), with the onus this time seemingly more on Katherine Waterston’s Daniels. Scott is planning two further sequels.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
James Gunn reunites the team of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista and Vin Diesel, as the Guardians find themselves on an adventure involving Star Lord’s father. After the huge success of the original, it’d be fair to call this one of 2017’s most anticipated sequels…
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Depending on where you are in the world, Pirates of the Caribbean 5 is either called Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge or Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Either way, you get Johnny Depp reprising the role of Captain Jack Sparrow, with returns too for Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom and more. Javier Bardem takes on the role of the villainous Salazar.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid books are returning to the movies, but given that the original cast from the first three films has now grown up, this is a reboot. A new cast is duly aboard, although David Bowers – who helmed the last two movies – is steering this one. Alicia Silverstone has signed up to feature too.
June
The Mummy
Universal’s latest reboot of The Mummy brings with it the challenge of launching the studio’s classic monsters movie universe. Alex Kurtzman directs here, with Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella and Russell Crowe all in the cast.
Transformers: The Last Knight
Michael Bay’s final Transformers movie as director is also set to launch a movie universe with Paramount scheduling a Transformers film a year from now on. For Bay’s swan song, he’s got Mark Wahlberg back in the lead role along with some computer graphics and shit being blown up. We all know the drill by now, right?
Despicable Me 3
After sitting out virtually all of the Minions spin-off movie, Gru – voiced again by Steve Carell – is back for a full Despicable Me 3. The early highlight from the promos this time, though, isn’t him or the yellow critters in dungarees. Rather, the promise of Trey Parker’s villain. We’re expecting Minions 2 to be announced in due course, incidentally.
July
Following his debuting of the role in last year’s Captain America: Civil War, excitement abounds for Tom Holland’s first full movie as the new big screen Spider-Man. Jon Watts, director of the impressive indie outing Cop Car, helms this one. A sequel has already been announced, for release in 2019.
Cars 3
Hmmm. While the toys bring in billions, the Cars series remains Pixar’s weakest big screen work for our money. Cars 3 is trying to turn that around, but we’d be misleading you if we said excitement was high for the movie. Owen Wilson is back to lead the voice cast.
Latest Movie reviews
Knock at the Cabin Review: Top Shelf M. Night Shyamalan Horror
Teen Wolf: The Movie Review — Is There Any Bite Left?
M3GAN Is Horror Fans’ 2023 Must-Have Holiday Item
War for the Planet of the Apes
Matt Reeves, who did such excellent work with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, directs the third film in the rebooted series that sees Andy Serkis back too as Caesar. These films have been a real treat so far, and the promo that’s been released for War for the Planet of the Apes suggests the quality isn’t dimming. Here’s hoping.
August
Annabelle 2
Summer has become a prime time for horror movies of late, and creepy doll spin-off movie Annabelle is getting a sequel of its own in May. Expect more jump scares, with Lights Out’s David F. Sandberg tackling directorial duties.
September
It
A film that bounced around in development for some time, it ended up at the door of Mama director Andres Muschietti (who himself was originally set to helm the remake of The Mummy). Will Poulter had been cast in the role of Pennywise the clown (made famous on screen originally by Tim Curry), but Bill Skarsgard has taken on the part in the end. The original plan was to stretch Stephen King’s mammoth source novel over two films, but presumably, the commercial performance of film one will determine that…
Flatliners
Kiefer Sutherland cameos in a new take on 1990’s Flatliners, the film where medical students all but kill themselves, to experiment as to what happens when you sort-of-die. Ellen Page and Diego Luna lead the ensemble this time around, with Niels Arden Oplev, the director of the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, helming this one.
October
Blade Runner 2049
Whilst there’s understandably been concern over a sequel to Blade Runner happening at all, there are key decisions that have been made that show real promise. Leading the cast with Ryan Gosling is a good place to start, but perhaps more significantly is the appointment of Arrival’s Denis Villeneuve to direct. For our money, Villeneuve is one of the finest mainstream directors currently working, and what he does with Blade Runner is of great interest. Harrison Ford is back for this one too, of course, and Hampton Fancher, screenwriter on the original, has co-penned this follow-up.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Slightly delayed but still firmly on its way is the sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service. After plans to make Stardust 2 never materialized, this marks the first sequel to one of his own films that director Matthew Vaughn will helm. Taron Egerton is also back as Eggsy, as is, most improbably, Colin Firth as Harry Hart. You get quite a cast for your money here, too with Jeff Bridges, Elton John, Vinny Jones, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum, Halle Berry, and Mark Strong amongst the cast list.
Friday The 13th
Director Breck Eisner has one strong remake to his name, with his take on The Crazies. He’s now been charged with the long-mooted reboot of Friday The 13th, that’s been penned by Prisoner’s Aaron Guzikowski. It’s, for those following the series, the 13th movie in the franchise. It’s unlikely to be called Friday The 13th 13, though.
The Little Vampire
A new take on the novels by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg, this particular The Little Vampire is animated, and has a voice cast that includes Jim Carter (Déjà Vu in Top Secret, of course), Alice Krige, Tim Pigott-Smith and the peerless Miriam Margolyes. That’s all we’ve got so far.
Saw: Legacy
Rising from the grave with an eighth movie, Saw is back in cinemas this Halloween. This is the inevitable reboot, with a Roman numeral nowhere near its title. Tobin Bell hasn’t been confirmed to return, but is widely expected to. Promisingly, the Spierig brothers, who made the excellent – and little-seen – Predestination are directing. More movies are no doubt planned.
Cloverfield IMAX film
A bit mysterious this one, so far. The third film to bear the Cloverfield moniker was set to be God Particle, and had been earmarked for a March release. But now, Paramount has an IMAX Cloverfield movie on the roster for October. We assume it’s still God Particle, but nobody’s really saying so far…
Insidious: Chapter 4
Rounding off Halloween’s collection of horror remakes, sequels and reboots is the fourth Insidious film. Adam Robitel directs this one, Leigh Whannell has penned the script, and expect business and jumps as usual.
November
Thor: Ragnarok
In theory, this one’ll round off the core line of Thor movies, bringing Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston back together for another battle. It’s said to be a road movie this time, albeit one with Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is also appearing, and Taika Waititi – the director behind the excellent Hunt for Wilderpeople – is helming.
Justice League
This is the film that effectively follows on from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, as Zack Snyder oversees the team up of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and Aquaman on the big screen. We’re promised it’ll be a bit lighter this time. Warner Bros. will be hoping so…
Murder on the Orient Express
Should be fun, this. Kenneth Branagh has assembled a fine ensemble to retell Agatha Christie’s most famous story, taking on the role of Hercule Poirot himself. Around him, you’ll find Sir Derek Jacobi, Dame Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad, Michelle Pfeiffer and more. Long marked on our calendar, this one…
A Bad Mom’s Christmas
The official sequel to Bad Moms reunites the original cast of Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn, this time bringing their parenting skills to the festive period. The film, as with Bad Dads, is being fasttracked.
December
Star Wars: Episode VIII
Rian Johnson has the job of picking things up from the final frame of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as we get the continuing adventures of Rey and Finn, in their battle against The First Order. Tragically, the film is set to be the last screen work of the late, great Carrie Fisher too. We suspect it’ll be a fitting tribute, though.
Pitch Perfect 3
It’s taken longer than expected to get this one together, but Pitch Perfect becomes a trilogy in December, with Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson leading the returnees. Ruby Rose, a regular face in this year’s sequels, is also on board, with Trish Sie the film’s new director. The plot hasn’t been disclosed yet, but we’ll bet you a quid it involves music, and that acca stuff.
Jumanji
The year closes out with the reboot/belated sequel of/to Jumanji. Dwayne Johnson is headlining, and has promised a film that honours the original. He’s joined by Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Kevin Hart. Don’t be surprised if more sequels follow.
And there’s also…
Bad Dads: the spin-off from 2015’s comedy breakout hit Bad Moms. STX is rushing this one to hit a summer release, and as such, details are scant right now.
The Nut Job 2: the animated sequel currently has a May 2017 release date in the U.S., but hasn’t hit the UK schedules. Expect it to be slipped out during a school holiday on the quiet.
Amityville: The Awakening: it’s been in the can for a while now, this one, and has shunted around the schedules a little. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bella Thorne are starring, and the reboot is landing in the U.S. in June. No UK date has been announced.
