For those raised on a diet of Saturday morning cartoons, video games and action figures, the announcement of a new comic book movie, and the speculation that follows, is as much part of the comic book movie experience as lining up to watch the movie itself. However, there is still something to be said about being able to watch every iteration of your childhood heroes jump out of their comic book strips and soar across your screen, fighting evil in real time.
With the popularity of this genre growing exponentially, it seems as though every time one checks social media, blog sites and even the news these days, there is a new adaptation, reboot, prequel or sequel floating around the Web, ready to tease you into gooey-eyed submission.
Fortunately for our generation of movie enthusiasts, the intense demand for said high-flying, super-powered paragons in tights has created a movie scene that closely resembles the “Young Adult" section at your local Barnes and Nobles.
With the production reaching fever pitch, it can become easy to lose track of them all, mixing and confusing vast histories and universes to the detriment of your viewing experience.
Here is a list of five upcoming blockbuster films to help keep you in the know.
Avengers: Age of Ultron. Out May 1.
What can be said about director Josh Whedon's take on the Avengers that hasn't already been said about the invention of penicillin or Beethoven's 5th? Marvel's flagship team of super powered enforcers looks ready to tackle their most menacing enemy yet: Ultron, the man-made terror set on annihilating the entire human race.
Ant-Man. Out July 17.
Following in the same vein as last year's Guardian's of the Galaxy, Marvel seeks to introduce a new superhero franchise to their already gigantic fold of features. Ant-Man, which follows the adventures of super-thief Scott Lang (played by Paul Rudd) as he dons a suit that greatly increases his physical strength, and minimizes him at the same time, in order to save the world from an unspeakable evil.
Fantastic Four. Out August 7.
Fox's latest addition since X-Men: Days of Future Past is set to reboot and revive the super team in a darker re-imagining. Look out for stellar performances from Michael B. Jordan (Friday Night Lights, The Wire), Kate Mara (House of Cards) and Tony Kebbell (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, RocknRolla).
Deadpool. Out February 12.
The antics of Marvel's fan favorite anti-hero will be getting the silver screen treatment in this Tim Miller directed film. Said to retain much of the same dark, twisted humor that made Deadpool a comic book cult hero, Deadpool is sure to be quite a treat for hardcore fans and casual viewers alike.
Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. Out March 25.
DC Comics' next entry is set to pit a slightly older version of the Dark Knight, played by Ben Affleck, against the Man of Steel's Henry Cavill. Not much is known about the plot, besides the conflict between Superman and Batman, however, connections between the film's action, costume and art design suggest that the film may resemble that of Frank Miller's famed The Dark Knight Returns comic book series.
