Thor, Green Lantern, and Captain America: The First Avenger. The three most anticipated movies here at CBM. Also some of the most anticipated movies this year amongst common movie-goers. Not only are they bringing to life three of the most popular superheroes of all time, but Thor and Captain America are helping to set up what is possibly one of the most ambitious movie projects of all time, The Avengers. I think there's no doubt that these movies will make big bucks at the box office and please fanboys worlwide, but are they in danger of being overshadowed by other popular franchises that are getting sequels or coming to an end? Let's take a look, shall we?
First off, it's Thor:
Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated movies of the year. This movie will continue building up the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as build anticipation for the upcoming Avengers movie. It looks like the creators are staying incredibly close to the source material, which I know is pleasing a lot of fanboys. The cast is top notch. Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman are among the actors who will help bring these popular characters to life. This movie has the capacity of being one of the highest grossing films of the year.
There is however, one giant obstacle standing in its way...
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is being released just a few weeks later. The sequel to the insanely popular billion dollar franchise was announced a few years ago and it immediately became one of the most anticipated films of this year. This film will focus solely on Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp. We know that in the past, the Pirates films have had no trouble making money. But is this movie a threat to Thor? Will it cut the movie's success short and completely overshadow it? The teaser trailer alone has had more hits on Youtube than both the Thor Comic Con footage and the official trailer combined. Not to mention the leagues of Johnny Depp fangirls that will swarm to this movie and see it multiple times. Should Marvel be worried? Disney obviously aren't. After all, they own both Marvel AND the Pirates franchise.
Next up on the list, Green Lantern:
The future of this movie is a bit more difficult to predict. Amongst us comic book fans, Green Lantern is a very well known character. Amongst the general public, not so much. The film's success lies in the popularity of actor Ryan Reynolds. Women love him and men want to be him (admit it, you know you do). But is this enough to ensure the film's success? It has virtually NO competition on June other than X-Men: First Class. But let's face it, without the star power of Hugh Jackman, Sir Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellen, will this movie attract the same crowd that past X-Men films have?
There are other factors weighing against Green Lantern as well. Let's face it, the film looks cheesy, the CGI looks bad (though I assume it's unfinished), and the acting in the trailer was bland and dull. People could have easily confused the first two minutes of the trailer with a generic romantic comedy. There are a few things this movie's got going for it, though. We know Mark Strong looks fantastic as Sinestro. We know Killowog, Tomar Re, and the rest of the Corps look spot on. We know Peter Sarsgaard looks great as Hector Hammond. But what about to anyone who isn't familiar with the Green Lantern mythos? Do they look silly? Do they look stupid?
Green Lantern certainly has the biggest opportunity of grossing the most money based on the Sci-Fi aspect of the film and the fact that it has a whole month to itself. But will it attract the necessary movie viewers?
And finally, come July, a hurricane of blockbusters will hit our way. The most anticipated of them all here on CBM, Captain America: The First Avenger...
Probably the most anticipated movie for us here at CBM, the story of Steve Rogers will finally hit the big screen (there was no Cap movie in the 90s. There was no Cap movie in the 90s. There was not Cap movie in the 90s...). We have yet to see a trailer. But based on the pictures and information we have so far, we can assume director Joe Johnston is staying as faithful as possible to the source. Not to mention the huge cast of stars. Chris Evans and Hugo Weaving will bring Cap and the Red Skull to life. Not to mention this is the final movie to setup The Avengers and complete the Marvel Cinematic Universe before Earth's Mightiest Heroes assemble. Unfortunately, this movie is going to be preceded by sequels to two of the most popular franchises in recent memory...
Transformers: The Dark of the Moon and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2 are scheduled to hit theaters just a few weeks before Captain America.
As we all know, Transformers: The Dark of the Moon is the sequel to Michael Bay's popular movie franchise, which has grossed over a billion dollars. Even though the franchise has not been popular with critics, the general public seem to adore these movies. Even though Megan Fox left this movie before it began filming, there are no signs of anyone losing interest over this movie. If anything, people are kind of thrilled because of this.
Then we have Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2. The epic conclusion to the massively popular Harry Potter franchise is scheduled to hit theaters just a week before Captain America. The Deathly Hollows Part 1 is already on its way to grossing a billion dollars. The franchise itself is the most successful movie franchise of all time, grossing more than 5 billion dollars worldwide in the last 10 years. There is no doubt Part 2 will follow suit and end this saga with a bang.
But are these movies a threat to the success of Captain America? Will they retain the top spots at the box office and leave Captain America in the dust? Or will the Sentient of Liberty rise to the challenge and fight his way for box office supremacy?
Only time will tell.