12-plus films to look forward to in 2012 (GoErie)

By Dave Richards, Erie Times-News
Staff writer

Hollywood took it on the chin in 2011, even with "Sucker Punch" and "Warrior" hitting theaters.

Movie attendance dropped to its lowest levels since 1995. Apparently, people were more into occupying Wall Street than multiplexes. But movie execs have good reason to expect a rebound in 2012 with sequels, reboots and potential franchises on the horizon.

Some titles to watch for:

1. "The Dark Knight Rises." Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale complete their compelling "Batman" trilogy, which has redefined what superhero movies can be. Will he dare to kill off Batman? We'll find out July 20.

2. "The Hunger Games." Anticipation is sky-high for the first film in a potential new franchise based on Suzanne Collins' best-selling young adult series. Jennifer Lawrence steps in for her sister in the title games, in which a boy and a girl from each district fight to the death, on live television, per edict by government regime. March 23.

3. "The Avengers." Here they come, all in one film: Thor, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Captain America band together to fight Loki (Mickey Rourke.) Director Joss Whedon had better not mess this up. May 4.

4. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." Peter Jackson re-enters J.R.R. Tolkien territory -- this time in 3-D. He won 11 Oscars the last time he visited. Part 1 arrives Dec. 14; the second part in December 2013.

5. "Prometheus." Director Ridley Scott says this isn't an "Alien" prequel. Yeah, right. Excellent cast (Charlize Theron, Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbinder, Guy Pearce) should elevate this above standard-issue horror. June 8.

6. "Django Unchained." Quentin Tarantino follows up his biggest hit yet ("Inglourious Basterds") with a Western-era drama about a vengeful former slave. What a cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Christoph Walz and Sacha Baron Cohen. Dec. 25.

7. "Skyfall." Daniel Craig returns as 007, but can the series return to form after the lackluster "Quantum of Solace"? Directorial choice Sam Mendes ("American Beauty," "Revolutionary Road") is intriguing. Nov. 9.

8. "Lincoln" and "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." The former, due in December, is from Steven Spielberg, who goes from World War I ("War Horse") to the Civil War with Daniel Day-Lewis playing the president. Will knowing the ending hurt? The latter is based on the popular fanciful novel. June 22.

9. "The Amazing Spider-Man." The web-slinger returns, directed by Mark Webb, whose previous film was the critically praised "(500) Days of Summer." Andrew Garfield plays Spidey. July 3.

10. "Nero Fiddled." Can Woody Allen keep the momentum rolling following his warmly received "Midnight In Paris," his biggest hit? He stars, along with Ellen Page, Alec Baldwin, Robert Benigni, Penélope Cruz and Jesse Eisenberg. October.

11. "World War Z" and "Dark Shadows." Brad Pitt in post-apocalyptic zombie thriller? We're in. Dec. 21. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton working together again -- on a remake of the classic TV vampire series, no less? Also in. May 11.

12. G-forces: "Gambit," "Gravity," "The Great Gatsby." The Coen brothers wrote (but do not direct) "Gambit" a remake of a 1966 crime caper comedy with Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz, Alan Rickman and Stanley Tucci. Release date TBA. Sci-fi drama "Gravity" pairs Sandra Bullock and George Clooney with excellent director Alfonso Cuaron ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Children of Men," "Y Tu Mama Tambien). Nov. 21. DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan co-star in Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of the great F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. Dec. 25.

http://www.goerie.com/article/20120105/ENTERTAINMENT0702/301049904/12-plus-films-to-look-forward-to-in-2012