3. Glass (January 19th, 2019)
When Split was released in 2016, many saw it as a return to form for M. Night Shyamalan after a few misfires, but it also delivered on a long-held hope by his fans. The film’s conclusion surprised people by revealing it to be a pseudo-sequel to Shyamalan’s hit Unbreakable, starring Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson. Now Shyamalan is set to revisit the series again with Glass, bringing Willis, Jackson and James McAvoy together in one film.
An Unbreakable sequel has been something fans of the film have long clamoured for. The fact that Shyamalan just dropped that news with no build-up or major announcement was fairly exciting, but its the plot that holds nice potential. The film sees the trio in a mental hospital under the delusions they harbour superpowers while Willis’ David Dunn tries to stop both The Beast (McAvoy) and Mr. Glass (Jackson). It is an intriguing enough premise that has Shyamalan leaning once again into his horror roots while offering another deconstruction of our zeal for superheroes.
2. It: Chapter Two (September 6th, 2019)
While there are plenty of adaptations of Stephen King’s works currently in production, one that has his fans excited is It: Chapter Two, Andy Muschietti’s follow up to 2017’s hit It. Based on King’s novel, It: Chapter Two follows the other half of the huge novel where The Losers’ Club returns to Derry after nearly 30 years when the supernatural entity Pennywise resurfaces.
As well as featuring the return of Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise and the return of the young cast, It: Chapter Two has assembled quite an impressive group to play the adult Losers. James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, Isaiah Mustafa, James Ransone and Andy Bean are starring as the Losers in what is some perfect casting for older versions of the kids, especially Sophia Mills to Chastain. Given that Muschietti made It a fairly faithful adaptation of King’s novel while creating some genuinely creepy and scary sequences, one has to wonder how he’ll up his game for Chapter Two now that Pennywise is probably going to be very pissed he was defeated by a group of kids.
1. Avengers: Engame (April 26th, 2019)
Really, now, what else could have been the most anticipated film of 2019? Avengers: Infinity War delivered on a lot of expectations for audience members and broke many box office records, but it shocked people with its ending: Thanos successfully gaining all the Infinity Stones and wiping out half of all life throughout the universe, including beloved heroes Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Star-Lord, Drax, Groot, Scarlet Witch and Spider-Man. The big question now is how do the Avengers reverse what Thanos did, if they even can?
The first trailer for Avengers: Endgame dropped last week and it looks to be a pretty somber affair as, much like Cap says, they’re in for the fight of their lives. Over the last year rumours have abounded over how the Avengers might achieve their goal and stop Thanos, though we also know some of the heroes must survive given the announcement of sequels to their films, but others are up in the air. It is very likely this will be the last time Chris Evans suits up as Captain America (he even alluded to it himself) and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man with the extent of his post-Endgame commitment unknown. Whatever the case, Avengers: Endgame is set to be the culmination of the soon-to-be 11 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and if its anything like Infinity War, the Russo Brothers will deliver yet another action-packed and emotional film for fans to enjoy.
What are some of your most anticipated films of 2019? Let us know in the comments below…
Ricky Church
Originally published December 25, 2018. Updated November 21, 2019.
