Top 10 Most Anticipated Blockbusters from Universal in 2019

Following the first trailer featuring Max the dog, The Secret Life of Pets 2 (known as Đẳng cấp thú cưng 2 in Vietnamese) from Illumination Entertainment dropped a new teaser starring Chloe the fat cat. You may recall the first movie two years ago, which captivated audiences worldwide with its $875 million box office success on a $75 million budget. Now, Max, Chloe, and the rest of the lovable pets are back for another adventure.

While it's still unclear whether the studio will release more character-focused trailers like those for Max and Chloe, audiences are already charmed by what Chloe has brought to the table in her solo clip. Cat owners will likely recognize the all-too-familiar scene of a cat attempting to wake up its owner in the most inconvenient ways – even if it means making a mess on the bed.

Illumination has cleverly tapped into the universal love for pets, which appeals to both kids and adults alike. Let's face it: no matter if you're 16, 25, or 35 years old, you're still likely to adore dogs and cats. With its irresistibly cute yet mischievous pets, The Secret Life of Pets 2 is set to continue winning hearts. At the end of Chloe's trailer, the fashionable dog Gidget made a cameo, and audiences are eagerly awaiting her own full trailer, just like Max and Chloe.

Recently, singer Ed Sheeran confirmed his role in a film directed by the renowned Danny Boyle. This special role is inspired by Sheeran himself, where he portrays a young man who is deeply passionate about music and idolizes the legendary band The Beatles. The British rockers are the driving force behind his musical aspirations.

Ed Sheeran admitted that despite playing a version of himself, the role was challenging due to the complexity of his character's personality and emotions. This pushed Sheeran to work hard on honing his acting skills. Previously, he appeared as a guest in the hit series "Game of Thrones" and the comedy film "Bridget Jones's Baby," which brought him significant attention.

Although the film's title has yet to be revealed, director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Richard Curtis are names that almost guarantee its success. What sets this film apart is the behind-the-scenes production, where the team followed Ed Sheeran on a two-month concert tour to capture authentic moments of his stage performances. These real-life clips will be used in the film, showcasing Sheeran both on stage and backstage.

The spinoff of the famous *Fast & Furious* franchise, *Hobbs & Shaw*, has just revealed its first thrilling footage, packed with explosive action and high-octane stunts that feel straight out of a superhero movie, sparking immense excitement among fans. After the success of *Fast & Furious 7* (2015) and 8 (2017), Universal finally gave the green light for this spinoff, focusing on the dynamic duo of Luke Hobbs and Deckard Shaw.

Introduced in *Fast 5* (2011), Dwayne Johnson’s character Luke Hobbs is a top-tier law enforcement agent. Once an enemy of Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), Hobbs later teamed up with Dom’s crew multiple times to take down villains. Meanwhile, Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw made his debut as a villain in *Fast & Furious 6* (2013), but by *Fast & Furious 8* (2017), Shaw’s true identity as a former soldier came to light, and he joined forces with Dom. After clashing in previous films, Hobbs and Shaw are now teaming up for an epic new mission. The official title of the film has been revealed as *Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw*, along with the first look images.

The 3-minute teaser delivers non-stop action, offering thrilling car chases and explosive stunts that rival superhero films. The trailer also includes hilarious moments, highlighting the comic rivalry between the two beefy protagonists. Once bitter enemies, Hobbs and Shaw are now forced to work together when MI6 recruits them to stop a villain named Brixton (Idris Elba), who has stolen a biological weapon that threatens millions. Fans of intense action will be treated to an unforgettable experience as these two unlikely allies take on a common enemy.

Dwayne Johnson himself has said, "You’ll go crazy for this movie. It’s going to be huge. I haven’t seen the upcoming footage, but it’s going to capture the essence of the franchise. Full of honor, full of ‘ride or die’ spirit, and above all, family. I think we nailed it, and it’s really important. This is my fourth *Fast & Furious* movie, so I know this energy. It runs in my veins."

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Let’s hope this spinoff lives up to the success of the main series and continues to expand the *Fast & Furious* brand. *Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw* is set for release on August 2, 2019.

Based on the popular TV series, *Downton Abbey*, the upcoming movie will follow the continued struggles and triumphs of the Crawley family and their staff, living in their grand estate in the English countryside during the early 20th century. Fans of the TV series were relieved when it was confirmed that a film adaptation was in the works. The *Downton Abbey* movie will begin filming at the end of the summer, featuring the original cast from the series, led by Hugh Bonneville and Dame Maggie Smith.

Julian Fellowes, the creator of the six-season *Downton Abbey* series that concluded in Christmas 2015, will write the film's screenplay and co-produce the project. Brian Percival, who directed films like *The Book Thief* and *About a Girl*, and directed the *Downton Abbey* series pilot, will direct the film. The TV series *Downton Abbey* won a BAFTA in 2015, three Golden Globe Awards, 15 Primetime Emmys, and 69 Emmy nominations.

*Downton Abbey* is also the non-U.S. TV series with the most Emmy wins, airing in over 250 countries and territories worldwide. In 2016, rumors circulated that the show would be adapted into a film, and now, those rumors have become a reality.

Universal Pictures has set the release date for the holiday romantic comedy *Last Christmas* on November 15, 2019, and also revealed that the film will feature an unreleased song by the late George Michael. Directed by Paul Feig, the movie stars Emilia Clarke and Henry Golding in the leading roles. Based on a script by Emma Thompson and Bryony Kimmings, the story unfolds during a romantic holiday season set in London.

*Last Christmas* follows Kate (Clarke), a Londoner who seems to specialize in making bad decisions, including taking on the role of an ELF at a Christmas store. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Tom (Golding), who gradually uncovers the many walls Kate has put up around herself.

Feig produces the film through his company, Feigco Entertainment, alongside Jessie Henderson. David Livingstone and Emma Thompson also serve as producers. Executive Vice President of Production Erik Baiers will oversee the project for Universal.

*Cats*, the big-screen adaptation of the famous Broadway musical, brings together a star-studded cast including Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Jennifer Hudson, James Corden, and Francesca Hayward. Recently, singer and songwriter Jason Derulo has joined the film's cast. He will play the role of Rum Tum Tugger, the rebellious cat who’s always dissatisfied with life in the small town. Elba takes on the role of the villain Macavity, while McKellen will play Gus the Theatre Cat.

Directed by Tom Hooper, *Cats* is based on T.S. Eliot’s *Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats* and adapted for the screen by Lee Hall. Hooper will also produce the musical film, alongside Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner from Working Title, and Debra Hayward, who previously worked on *Les Misérables*. The film is a collaboration between Working Title Films, Monumental Pictures, and Really Useful Group, with production executives including Steven Spielberg, Lloyd Webber, and Angela Morrison.

Jason Derulo is no stranger to the music charts with hits like “Goodbye,” which has over 60 million streams on Spotify, and “Colors,” which has over 115 million streams. His tracks “Whatcha Say” and “Talk Dirty” have sold over 4 million copies worldwide. *Cats* is set to hit theaters on December 20, 2019.

Universal Pictures has announced that the World War I film *1917*, directed by Sam Mendes, will be released on December 25, 2019. Amblin Partners secured the distribution rights for the film after outbidding New Regency, Paramount, and Sony. While the script remains under wraps, production is set to begin in April next year. Mendes co-wrote the screenplay with Krysty Wilson-Cairns and will direct and produce the film. His production team includes Pippa Harris from Neal Street Productions, Jayne-Ann Tenggren, and Callum McDougall. The cast features George McKay (from *Captain Fantastic*) and Dean-Charles Chapman (from *Game of Thrones*).

*1917* marks Mendes' return to the director's chair since *Spectre* in 2015. His collaboration with Steven Spielberg dates back to *American Beauty* in 1999, a film that earned five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. DreamWorks, the studio behind that film, also produced crime dramas like *Road to Perdition* and *Revolutionary Road*.

In addition to *1917*, Fox will release *Call of the Wild* on Christmas 2019, while Sony will debut Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of *Little Women*, and Warner Bros. will offer *Superintelligence*, a comedy starring Melissa McCarthy. On January 10, 2020, *1917* may also face competition from a large animated feature from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, set for release by Sony.

The sequel to *How to Train Your Dragon*, *How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World*, has received glowing reviews, with 8 critic scores from reputable outlets like *The Hollywood Reporter*, *Variety*, and *The Wrap*, giving it a perfect 100% 'fresh' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As the latest installment in the popular franchise that began in 2010, based on Cressida Cowell’s book series, *The Hidden World* is expected to be the emotional climax of the saga, offering a powerful conclusion that resonates deeply with audiences. The promotional efforts for the film are geared towards making sure it reaches its full potential.

While some fans have speculated that the protagonist, Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), may meet his end in this chapter, there’s also talk of other dragons either dying or going into hiding. Screenwriter and director Dean DeBlois has hinted that *The Hidden World* could be the final entry in the series. “We’ve thought long and hard about making this a bittersweet farewell to these beloved characters,” DeBlois shared with *Entertainment Weekly*. He also teased that the film would close in a way that mirrors the ending of Cowell’s books.

For audiences in Vietnam, *How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World* will be available for viewing during the Lunar New Year in 2019, followed by its North American release on February 22, 2019.

The sequel to the 2017 horror thriller *Happy Death Day*, titled *Happy Death Day 2U*, has just released its first official trailer. Produced by Blumhouse Productions, this terrifying ride will return on Valentine's Day 2019. *Happy Death Day 2U* picks up where the original left off, with the same time loop of death that the first film introduced. In *Happy Death Day*, Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) found herself reliving her birthday over and over after being killed by a masked killer. Each time she died, she woke up to face the same dreadful day again.

But unlike a typical death, Tree doesn't stay dead. Instead, after each death, she finds herself back at the start of September 18th – her birthday – with full memory of her previous experiences. Determined to stop the killer and end the time loop, Tree eventually finds a way to break free, leading to a peaceful September 19th. However, *Happy Death Day 2U* brings an even greater challenge for Tree as she finds herself back in the time loop, unable to escape. The first trailer shows her waking up in Carter's (Israel Broussard) dorm room, once again trapped in a cycle that has already played out 17 times before. But this time, her roommate, Ryan Phan (played by Phi Vu), is the one who has experienced death and resurrection – and soon, Tree realizes that the deadly loop is far from over.

In this sequel, Tree won't be facing the time loop alone. With the help of Carter and their friends, they come up with a plan to stop the killer once and for all. Of course, the more people involved, the greater the body count. Each character in Tree's circle will face death in various forms as the killer strikes again.

Who is this masked murderer? Is he linked to the villain from the first film, whom Tree thought she had already dealt with? Will Tree ever escape the nightmarish time loop, or will director Christopher Landon find a fresh way to keep the audience on edge without repeating the same formula from the first movie? Find out when *Happy Death Day 2U* hits theaters on Valentine's Day 2019.

The horror film *Us*, directed by Jordan Peele, who gained massive success with *Get Out*, has just released its chilling first trailer. Peele's reputation for blending horror with social commentary is well known, and after the success of *Get Out*—which not only dominated at the box office but also garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards—audiences were eager to see what he would bring next. With the release of the *Us* trailer, expectations are high for another win.

The story follows Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o), her husband Gabe (Winston Duke), and their two children as they return to Adelaide’s childhood home on the Northern California coast. After a tense day at the beach with friends, the family heads back to their vacation house, only to discover four mysterious figures standing in the driveway as night falls. The true horror of *Us* is revealed when Adelaide realizes that these figures are twisted doppelgängers of her family—dark reflections of themselves, intent on violence and destruction.

The unsettling images in the trailer promise a psychological and physical battle as the Wilsons must confront their ruthless copies. Peele, known for his sharp social commentary, is once again blending horror and dark humor, showing his creative prowess in creating a truly disturbing narrative. How will Adelaide and her family survive this terrifying encounter with their own evil twins?