X-Men: Apocalypse
Directed by Bryan Singer
Starring James McAvoy (Professor X), Michael Fassbender (Magneto), Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Evan Peters (Quicksilver), Rose Byrne (Moira MacTaggert), Lucas Till (Havok), Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), Tye Sheridan (Cyclops), Alexandra Shipp (Storm), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Nightcrawler), Ben Hardy (Angel), Lana Condor (Jubilee), Olivia Munn (Psylocke) and Oscar Isaac (Apocalypse)
The First Class roster of the X-Men are set to face their most dangerous foe yet this May as 20th Century Fox explores the Age of Apocalypse with Bryan Singer’s latest mutant superhero offering, X-Men: Apocalypse.
The X-Men franchise is coming off its highest-grossing instalment with Singer’s last outing X-Men: Days of Future Past, while Apocalypse is set to reintroduce a host of fan favourite characters into its relaunched timeline. However, the film doesn’t have the nostalgia factor that Days of Future had by bringing together the old and new casts, nor does it have Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine (barring a surprise cameo, of course). Captain America: Civil War will likely still be bringing in the crowds by the time it hits cinemas, so while there’s no chance of it flopping, X-Men: Apocalypse will have its work cut out of its to repeat the success of Days of Future Past.
Suicide Squad
Directed by David Ayer
Starring Will Smith (Deadshot), Jared Leto (The Joker), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), Jay Hernandez (El Diablo), Adam Beach (Slipknot), Karen Fukuhawa (Katana), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Ray Olubowale (King Shark), Jim Parrack (Johnny Frost), Ben Affleck (Batman), Common, Ike Barinholtz and Scott Eastwood.
Not content with bringing its superheroes together for Batman v Superman, Warner Bros. will continue to expand its DC Extended universe this summer as it hands over to the supervillains for the team-up movie Suicide Squad.
When WB first announced its DC slate, the little-known Suicide Squad seemed like a risky move. However, it’s shaping up to be a risk that could pay off in spades. The studio has assembled a fantastic cast, and the marketing campaign has been superb so far. Suicide Squad bested Batman v Superman when it came to trailer views at the San Diego Comic-Con, and its social media tracking is through the roof. If there’s one thing going against it in terms of box office potential, it’s that Suicide Squad looks to be pretty dark; it’ll be “on the edge of PG-13” according to producer Charles Roven, and so it may be a little too much for younger viewers.
Doctor Strange
Directed by Scott Derrickson
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mordo), Benedict Wong (Wong), Rachel McAdams and Mads Mikkelsen.
Marvel’s Phase Three continues in November as the studio launches its a new franchise – and introduces magic to the MCU – with Doctor Strange, bringing in Benedict Cumberbatch to portray the Sorcerer Supreme for this origin tale of the Master of the Mystic Arts.
As Guardians of the Galaxy proved, Marvel Studios doesn’t need an A-list property to enjoy big success at the box office, and Doctor Strange certainly has a similar kind of “out there” vibe to James Gunn’s cosmic space opera, although maybe not quite as wacky. The Marvel fanbase will already be on board, and the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch is going to bring in a new audience of ‘Cumberbitches’, ensuring that Doctor Strange provides Marvel with yet another hit, and gives Cumberbatch his first real big blockbuster box office success as a lead.
PREDICTIONS
As I said at the outset, it’s a two-horse race this year for the highest-grossing release, but I also can’t see any of the six movies failing to perform, a la Fantastic Four last year. 2016 may be packed with superhero movies, but it’s definitely not going to be the year the superhero bubble bursts, either. But how are the films going to perform?
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War should both clear a billion worldwide, and if I have to give the advantage to one over the other, then I’m going… to… go… with… so tough… Batman v Superman… no, wait…
I’ve literally went back and forth on this for about an hour, and I’m really struggling to separate the two. My head says Batman v Superman: It’s Batman and Superman, for starters. It’s also something we’ve not seen before (unlike Civil War, which for all intents and purposes is Avengers 3), and it has less competition, for a longer amount of time. That being said, it may not pull in the same kind of repeat business as Civil War, and you just can’t underestimate the Marvel brand these days.
So, I’m going to tip Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War to both make around $1.2 – $1.3 billion worldwide, with Civil War taking a slight advantage. Doctor Strange has the potential to finish up in third place; it should outperform Ant-Man, and I could see it making around $650 to $700 million, with X-Men: Apocalypse following closely behind on around $600 to $650 million, Suicide Squad close behind that with about $500 to $550 million, and Deadpool… well, if it gets to $350 million it will have been a huge success given its R-rating. I’m sure Fox would be delighted with $300 million.
Boy, this is getting tougher each year…
How do you think this year’s big superhero movies will fare at the box office? Let us know your predictions in the comments below…
PREVIOUS SHOWDOWNS…
2015 – Avengers: Age of Ultron vs Fantastic Four vs Ant-Man
2014 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier vs The Amazing Spider-Man 2 vs X-Men: Days of Future Past vs Guardians of the Galaxy
2013 – Iron Man 3 vs Man of Steel vs Kick-Ass 2 vs The Wolverine vs Thor: The Dark World
2012 – Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance vs The Avengers vs The Amazing Spider-Man vs The Dark Knight Rises
2011 – Thor vs X-Men: First Class vs Green Lantern vs Captain America: The First Avenger
2010 – Iron Man 2 vs Kick-Ass vs Jonah Hex
2009 – Watchmen vs X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Gary Collinson is a writer and lecturer from the North East of England. He is the editor-in-chief ofFlickeringMyth.com and the author of Holy Franchise, Batman! Bringing the Caped Crusader to the Screen.
https://youtu.be/XUGnM460Waw?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
