Adam takes a look into the future at the Films of 2020 and what should pique your interest.
No more looking back at 2019. It’s onward and upward to the films of 2020! We’re looking over the next 12-months that make up 2020 cinematically. It seems like it’s yet another year of Streaming Studios vs. Theatrical Studios, Ginormous $250 million Comic Book Movies, and maybe some daring Studio or Mini-Major Content.
At this time, we feel these are the 20 Films that look to be swinging for the fences and greatness. Remember though, the best part of a new year in Cinema are those films you knew nothing about. Did anyone, other than maybe the Safdie Brothers, realize how mind-blowingly good Uncut Gems would be???
We’ve placed everything in order based on the release dates or ETAs out there currently. We’ve placed trailers where available. Where there isn’t we’ve placed a production still. In the case of a few, it’s behind the scenes photos because it’s way too early, and in one case something that hasn’t even begun to film (yet).
Without further ado…
The Invisible Man
Release Date: February 28, 2020
Director: Leigh Whannell
Why we’re dying to see it? Whannell surprised everyone with the kick assery of Upgrade in 2018. In 2020 Blumhouse has given him the upgrade (teehee, pun) he needed with a bigger budget and a cast led by the indomitable Elizabeth Moss (see Her Smell, it’s on HBO streaming right now for the proof). The results look intriguing as Whannell has transposed the sort of a Scientist gone mad by his discovery into a Psycho-Sexual Thriller for our modern anxiety-driven times. We’re sold by the intense trailer and R-Rating alone.
Spenser Confidential
Release Date: March 6, 2020
Director: Peter Berg
Why we’re dying to see it? Remaking Spenser for Hire. You got me. Winston Duke taking over for Avery Brooks is positively genius. The jury is out if Wahlberg can bring it as Spenser. But I’m sure that Peter Berg is going to work overtime to ensure at the very least we get some bone-crunchingly good action. If this is 80% of the goodness that is Antoine Fuqua’s interpretation of The Equalizer, then we’re in for a great remake.
A Quiet Place II
Release Date: March 20, 2020
Director: John Krasinski
Why we’re dying to see it? A Quiet Place II was inevitable. What wasn’t; the return of John Krasinski as director and Emily Blunt as star. Pulling a Cameron-esque style sequel of bigger and gutsier is the way this dynamic duo has gone. The results are, we hope, a sequel that can rival the true great sequels in film e.g. Aliens, T2, Empire… you know.
No Time To Die
Release Date: April 8, 2020
Director: Cary Joji Fukanaga
Why we’re dying to see it? We are sad to see it’s Cranky Bond aka Daniel Craig last entry into the franchise. We are positively giddy at the prospect of it being directed by Cary Fukanaga. Since his debut, Sin Nombre, the director has always zigged when we thought he would zag. Playing in the wheelhouse of Bond is one of those unexpected zags, especially considering how heartbreaking it must have been after he lost IT: Chapter One (to which they used 80% of his script). Let us hope that Fukanaga is allowed to bring his directorial touches to the franchise. If so, we’re in for a hell of a send-off for Daniel Craig.
We taking bets that Craig’s Bond dies at the end???
Antebellum
Release Date: April 24, 2020
Director: Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz
Why we’re dying to see it? It isn’t the premise that has us hooked. Though it is an intriguing one. It is the casting of Janelle Monáe that sends us over the top. We’ve been waiting for the Multi-hyphenate to take a larger film role since her one-two punch in Hidden Figures and Moonlight. Let us hope that Antebellum lives up to Ms. Monáe’s overabundant talents.
WW1984
Release Date: June 5, 2020
Director: Patty Jenkins
Why we’re dying to see it? Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot get more control over their, and it is their, franchise. The results appear to be a full-on rocking visual feast with Gadot front and center as the action god she is.
Soul
Release Date: June 19, 2020
Director: Pete Docter
Why we’re dying to see it? Pixar has been a tricky studio as of late (lets be honest, for the last decade) for we here at The Movie Isle. Toy Story 4 is not a good movie (though Forky is possibly the best Pixar character in a long time. All we want is the Forky/Olaff teamup movie you didn’t know you wanted) . The rest of their output, Inside Out withstanding, is no better than any other studio producing animated fare. Soul looks to be a return to form (much like Inside Out) taking a high concept and imbuing it with heart and soul (yeah, I went there… teehee pun number two) that made the first 10 or so Pixar features so special (minus anything with the CARS moniker on it). Docter specializes in emotional terror, see UP for the proof, which has us ready to be amazed and emotional in the theater. Add in very non-PIXAR composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross into the mix. What you get is something that could very well be something truly special.
Tenet
Release Date: July 17, 2020
Director: Christopher Nolan
Why we’re dying to see it? Christopher Nolan. Not enough. Add John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki for star and acting power. An amazing premise. Shot on 65mm and Full Frame IMAX (almost one in the same). What is there not to be all in for? Even someone who isn’t a Nolan Fanboi can agree this one looks amazing.
Note: Do NOT believe the rumors about this being some sort of side sequel to Inception. Though interesting that’s just Reddit being Reddit with their Head Canon.
Coming 2 America
Release Date: August 7, 2020
Director: Craig Brewer
Why we’re dying to see it? After the success of Dolemite is my Name we were hoping that Brewer and Eddie Murphy would find another project to work on. Imagine the delight and fear that this Thirty Years in the Making Sequel has us gripped with when announced. One is hopeful that Brewer, Murphy, all the returning cast, and Rick Baker delivers something as special as the first.
Note: EIC Adam considers the original one of the greatest comedies of all time.
Bill & Ted Face the Music
As the fates intended it to be…
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Director: Dean Parisot
Why we’re dying to see it? Keanu, Keanu, Keanu, Keanu, Keanu. Did we mention, Keanu???
Da 5 Bloods
Release Date: Summer 2020
Director: Spike Lee
Why we’re dying to see it? Lee continuing his dive into genre but from a completely Spike Lee-centric point of view is something of a godsend to all of us Spike Lee fans. It gives Lee the money to make films on large canvas. It also allows Lee to subvert the genres to his own means (see what Lee did with the Undercover Cop genre with Blackkklansman). Here Lee takes on both the War Vet film and the Treasure Hunt film and been given Netflix money to do so. Think Deer Hunter meets Treasure of Serra Madre but done in the way that only Spike Lee can make a film. If that isn’t enough, add Chadwick Boseman, Delroy Lindo, Jean Reno, and Paul Walter Hauser to that mix and it’s a can’t miss event film.
Last Night in SoHo
Especially when that still is a pull form an Edgar Wright film.
Release Date: September 25, 2020
Director: Edgar Wright
Why we’re dying to see it? Writer/Director Edgar Wright had a surprise Box Office smash with Baby Driver. His latest film seems to find him in Brian DePalma territory, and we couldn’t be more delighted. Wright’s a cinematic savant of the highest order and having him play in the sort of fertile ground that Hitchcock, DePalma, and Henke traversed before him, has got us chopping at the bit. The fact he’s shot the film Chung-hoon Chung has is elated (he photographed Oldboy, IT: Chapter One, The Handmaiden).
Death on the Nile
Let us hope that Branagh can deliver the goods again.
Release Date: October 9, 2020
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Why we’re dying to see it? Truth be told, we were tickled silly by Branagh’s overwrought interpretation of Hercule Poirot and Murder on the Orient Express. The surprise success of that film has Fox double downing on this franchise. We couldn’t be happier as we’re huge Stans for the Murder-Mystery genre. Gone too long for our tastes and to now have two burgeoning series is great (Knives Out, and its Southern Sleuth Benoit Blanc is getting a sequel). Nile adds the star power of Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Annette Benning to the cast. Bonus points for Branagh pulling from the very best of the British ranks and getting Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French in the cast (Ab Fab reunion!!!!)
Army of the Dead
Release Date: October 2020
Director: Zack Snyder
Why we’re dying to see it? A Netflix produced $100 million Zombie Movie directed by Zack Snyder… yeah, we’re fucking in. The same way we were in for Michael Bay’s recent Netflix entry Six Underground. Our hope is that Army of the Dead is the most Zack Snyder of Zack Snyder movies the way that Six is the most Michael Bay or Michael Bay movies.
The Old Guard
some major ass-kicking our way come the fall.
Release Date: TBA Fall 2020
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Why we’re dying to see it? The teaming up of director Gina Prince-Bythewood with stars Charlize Theron, Kiki Layne is enough for us. The Greg Rucka graphic novel’s premise of immortal god-like mercenaries going up against a new evil immortal has us positively giddy at the project. Bonus points for Prince-Bythewood getting Barry Ackroyd to shoot the film. Cinematography-Geeks already know the guy shoots action like no one’s business. Seeing Prince-Bythewood finally getting her shot at big canvas epic moviemaking has us cheering from the front row.
Rebecca
and awards winner in its day.
Release Date: TBA Fall 2020
Director: Ben Wheatley
Why we’re dying to see it? This may be the biggest gamble on the list. But all the pieces are in place for something special. Beginning with Jane Goldman as the screenwriter adapting the celebrated novel. Add Lily James, Armie Hammer, and Kristen Scott Thomas as the leads. Put Ben Wheatley behind this all. You couldn’t ask for a more intriguing combination of cast and crew to make something that could both respect and demolish (in the best way) the Hitchcock original.
Tigertail
respect the Netflix touch with these types of productions.
Release Date: Fall 2020
Director: Alan Yang
Why we’re dying to see it? Yang is one half the creative force behind Master of None. Telling a generational family tale of life and sacrifice for a new beginning has us supremely interested in this Drama. Yang has cast John Cho (if you haven’t seen Columbus, stop what you’re doing and seek it out) and the amazing Tzi Ma (recently a comedic assassin in The Farewell) as the lead character. Netflix giving Yang the freedom to make a drama rather than forcing him into the comedic pigeonhole that many other studios would have done is one of the many reasons we want to see this.
Mank
Release Date: December 2020
Director: David Fincher
Why we’re dying to see it? It’s David Fincher. After a 6-year hiatus from Film Fincher is back with a biopic about the man who wrote Citizen Kane. Knowing Fincher’s propensity for bending genres to his will, Mank has us positively giddy. This is also a passion project for Fincher as his father Jack Fincher wrote the script. Netflix gambling big again on a project no other studio would come near (I remember back in the day when Ridley Scott tried to get RKO281 made in Black & White with Ed Norton as Orson Welles… imagine if Netflix was around then?) Did we mention its being shot in Black & White! Need we say more?
West Side Story
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Director: Steven Spielberg
Why we’re dying to see it? This one is special. Very special. Spielberg has never directed a musical. If that wasn’t enough of a dare, he’s added a Sondheim Musical and one that’s possibly the most beloved Musicals of the last 60 years.
Dune
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Why we’re dying to see it? I’m not sure it actually exists. If it does exist, I’m not sure it’s going to be good. This is by far the biggest swing for the fences film of 2020. Based on the insanely dense Frank Herbert Sci-Fi Classic, this adaptation has everything in its favor;
Brilliant Director? Check
Half the most in-demand Actors in Hollywood? Check
$250 Million Budget? Check
Approval of Herbert Estate? Check
Even with this in their favor, it’s still the absolute biggest gamble in an industry that gambling ends careers. Ask David Lynch who almost lost his career over his adaptation of Dune twenty-six years ago. Let us hope for Villeneuve who has recently made two of the best Science Fiction films of the past twenty years (Arrival and Bladerunner 2049) that this produces a grand slam home run.
Bonus Film!
The Untitled PTA Project
Release Date: Unknown – Christmas 2020 or later
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Why we’re dying to see this? All we know about the project is that its set in the 1970s, in the Valley, and it’s about a young actor in High School on the rise. The last time we heard the barest of plots from PTA we got The Phantom Thread. The film is expected to be shooting soon and if The Phantom Thread’s production/release schedule follows this project we will be getting said project by the end of the Year.