Buzz
1. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (July 8, 2022)
Since Black Panther made a global impact in 2018, fans worldwide have eagerly awaited its sequel. However, the production of the next installment was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed King T'Challa.
Now, things are back on track as Marvel Studios' president, Kevin Feige, confirmed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is officially in production in Atlanta, Georgia (USA).
Speaking to Variety, Kevin Feige mentioned that director Ryan Coogler and the original cast will reunite for the second film. “We are deeply saddened by Chad's loss. But we are also moved to bring the world of Wakanda back to the public and fans. We will do it in a way that honors Chad’s legacy,” he said.
The lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, passed away last year from cancer. Marvel has stated that T'Challa will not be recast, nor will digital effects be used to recreate his character, as a tribute to the actor's memory and spirit.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to release on July 8, 2022. It will also be one of 26 upcoming Marvel Studios films set for theatrical and streaming release on Disney+.
2. John Wick: Chapter 4 (May 27, 2022)
Lionsgate recently announced several changes to its upcoming film release schedule. One of the most notable adjustments is the delayed release of John Wick 4, now set for May 27, 2022, a year later than the original plan of May 21, 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the production of The Matrix 4, and its filming had barely begun when the outbreak occurred. The delay affected John Wick 4 as well, forcing the action film project to change its release date.
At CinemaCon, Lionsgate revealed that Keanu Reeves is currently filming John Wick: Chapter 4 across three different countries. Alongside Reeves, the fourth installment of the popular action franchise will bring back Laurence Fishburne as The Bowery King, Lance Reddick as Charon, the Continental Hotel concierge, and Ian McShane as Winston. The film also boasts an impressive new cast including Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Scott Adkins, and Clancy Brown.
While the first three films in the franchise were primarily set in New York City, Baba Yaga's journey continues across the globe in the upcoming sequel, with locations in Rome and Morocco. For Chapter 4, the camera will visit Japan, Germany, and France, introducing new characters, like Sanada, in Japan.
3. The Flash (November 4, 2022)
Warner Bros. has recently unveiled the official logo for The Flash, marking the beginning of production for the latest superhero film in the DC Universe. The movie will star Ezra Miller as Barry Allen (The Flash), Sasha Calle as Supergirl, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, with Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton both reprising their roles as Batman. The film is scheduled for release on November 4, 2022.
Based on the information released so far, The Flash seems to take inspiration from the iconic Flashpoint storyline, where Barry travels back in time to save his mother. Affleck will return as Batman in the main DCEU timeline, while Keaton will play an older version of Batman from an alternate timeline.
The film's logo resembles the symbol on The Flash's suit from Justice League. Following the success of Zack Snyder's Justice League, The Flash could serve as an exciting new chapter for the franchise. The introduction of Supergirl also adds a new layer of intrigue, particularly with the character gaining popularity from the Arrowverse series.
Initially, Ray Fisher’s Cyborg character was also slated to appear in The Flash, but after Fisher accused Warner Bros. and DC Films of racist behavior, he was removed from the project. Many fans speculated this was retaliation against Fisher, especially after his standout performance in Snyder's Justice League. Fans have called for Cyborg's return in The Flash, but it seems unlikely at this point.
4. Mission: Impossible 7 (May 27, 2022)
The Mission: Impossible series, starring Tom Cruise, is known for its intense and spectacular action sequences, which are both thrilling and highly creative. One standout feature of this series is the team's preference for using real effects rather than CGI to create dangerous stunts and explosions.
A recently released behind-the-scenes video from Mission: Impossible 7 showcases a particularly dangerous and dramatic scene, where a train falls off a bridge and plunges into a ravine. This moment immediately caught the attention of global audiences, generating excitement online.
Despite not being released yet, Mission: Impossible 7 has already teased several dangerous stunts. One scene features Tom Cruise riding a motorcycle off a cliff, while another shows a thrilling fight on top of a moving train. Both behind-the-scenes clips have left audiences on the edge of their seats. Cruise has once again risked his life to perform heart-stopping stunts for Mission: Impossible 7. The film also stars Marvel veterans Hayley Atwell and Pom Klementieff, and is set for release on May 27, 2022.
5. Thor: Love And Thunder (May 6, 2022)
Thor: Love and Thunder is an upcoming superhero film from Marvel Studios, based on the popular Marvel Comics character. Serving as a sequel to Thor: Ragnarok, it will also be the 29th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is set for release by Walt Disney in 2022.
The introduction of Lady Thor (Natalie Portman) into the MCU will bring significant changes to the story, diverging from previous Thor films. Director Taika Waititi has shared that Portman’s character will draw inspiration from Marvel's The Mighty Thor comic series by Jason Aaron and artist Russell Dauterman.
The story picks up after the events of Avengers: Endgame, where Thor has joined the Guardians of the Galaxy and Valkyrie has become the first queen of Asgard. Thor will now be seen rebuilding Asgard under his leadership. Natalie Portman reprises her role as Jane Foster, now wielding the powers of Thor, while Christian Bale takes on the role of the villain, adding an exciting dynamic to the narrative. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how this new chapter unfolds.
6. The Batman (March 4, 2022)
The Batman (2021) is an upcoming American superhero film based on DC Comics' iconic character. The film is produced by DC Films and Warner Bros., directed by Matt Reeves with a script by Peter Craig. The cast includes Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman, Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Barry Keoghan, Jayme Lawson, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell.
Set in Batman's second year of fighting crime, this film follows the Dark Knight as he uncovers the corruption within Gotham City while facing off against the Riddler, a serial killer obsessed with puzzles.
The project began in 2014 under Ben Affleck's direction. After struggling with the script, Affleck stepped down in January 2017 to focus on the character, and Matt Reeves took over as director, reworking the story with a focus on Batman's detective skills. The production was delayed between March and September 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The film is now slated for release in the U.S. on March 4, 2022, though it has been delayed twice, initially planned for June 2021. Two sequels are already in the works, and a prequel TV series is currently streaming on HBO Max.
Indiana Jones 5, the first chapter in Disney's rebooted Indiana Jones saga, has been a hot topic since 2008. This sequel follows *Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* and seeks to reset the legendary archaeologist’s story on the big screen, cleaning up the legacy left by its predecessor, which had sparked considerable debate.
So, who will be entrusted with ensuring Dr. Jones and his trusty whip have a more successful adventure this time around? Even the film's composer gives us a reason to consider this one of the most eagerly awaited movies of 2022.
Development on Indiana Jones 5 began in 2008, with discussions about Shia LaBeouf possibly returning. George Lucas even suggested that LaBeouf might become the star of the film. Over time, LaBeouf publicly criticized the production of *Indy 4*, and Harrison Ford famously called him a 'fool.'
After Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the groundwork for Indiana Jones 5 began to take shape. While much of the story remains under wraps, Harrison Ford has provided a glimpse of hope, telling IGN that the film will address a part of Indy’s history that had yet to be explored.
