2022 sees the return of magicians, dinosaurs, caped crusaders, and a speedy blue hedgehog to the silver screen.
in what is set to be a chock-a-block year of blockbusters and indie darlings from new and returning directors alike. Here are five films covering a range of genres, directors, and target audiences that are worth keeping an eye out for during the next twelve months.
The Batman
Release Date: 4 March 2022
The first of a few DC offerings coming in the next year has high hopes to be the best of the bunch. Ten years since the last solo Batman film, this one sees Robert Pattinson don the iconic costume for the first time.
In his second year of fighting crime, Batman investigates corruption in Gotham City connected to his own family, while also facing a serial killer known as The Riddler (Paul Dano). Along the way we’ll see other foes in the rogue’s gallery, including an unrecognizable Colin Farrell as The Penguin and John Tuturro as Carmine Falcone. In addition, we’ll see Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle/Catwoman in what looks to be a key role, playing opposite to Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne.
During an interview with Empire, Director Matt Reeves said “I wanted to do a story where he’s already been through the origins and does not yet really know exactly how to be Batman.” Reeves’ film is clearly going to venture into different territory to what we’ve seen before with the caped crusader. The trailers all point to a film even darker and grittier than we saw even in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. This is all very exciting for fans of 2019’s Joker, who enjoy an approach to characters that is as realist as it is twisted.
Jurassic World: Dominion
Release Date: 10 June 2022
Before he lends his voice to everyone’s favourite Italian plumber , Chris Pratt will return to our screens in Jurassic World: Dominion. It will be the sixth installment of the Jurassic Park franchise and the third film in the more contemporary Jurassic World trilogy, and what is meant to be the closing entry. But money talks. With a successful franchise like this, we won’t be seeing the end for a while, especially given that this new film marks “the start of a new era” where humans have to adjust to dinosaurs living in the wild again.
The really exciting part, particularly for those who have been fans of the series since the first Jurassic Park in 1993, are the returning cast members. Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern will all reprise their roles as Doctors Ian Malcolm, Alan Grant, and Ellie Sattler respectively (Goldblum of course has already featured in the trilogy, in 2018’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom). This marks the first time all three will be in the same film together since the first entry almost three decades ago.
They will join the series regulars in a story that will explore how life has changed since dinosaurs were released into the wild at the end of Fallen Kingdom, and the repercussions of that event.
Nope
Release Date: 22 July 2022
Jordan Peele returns to the director’s chair for his third film with Blumhouse & Universal with a movie that very little is known about thus far. Peele, by now renowned for his ability to terrify and compel audiences in equal measure, is keeping his cards very close to his chest on this one.
The cast includes Daniel Kaluuya who also starred in Peele’s 2017 directorial debut Get Out, Keke Palmer from Scream Queens, and Steven Yeun from Minari. Exact story details are, so far, a mystery.
What has been released is a poster, which shows a cloud with some bunting hanging from it, above a town, is as ambiguous as a politician’s answer. We’re still months away from release, but with two critically acclaimed films as a director under his belt, it is tantalising to think about just what his latest offering might be able to deliver in the way of outright terror.
Don’t Worry Darling
Release Date: 23 September 2022
After her incredible directorial debut in the form of the 2019 comedy film Booksmart, Olivia Wilde is back with something entirely different. Don’t Worry Darling is a psychological thriller about a 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian community, who begins to fear that her dearly beloved is hiding a disturbing secret.
The film stars Florence Pugh in the lead role, who is on fire at the moment. After hits such as Fighting with my Family, Midsommar and Little Women she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2021’s Black Widow, so this is set to be yet another exemplary showcase of her talents. Alongside her is Harry Styles, now making a name for himself in the acting world and another who has recently joined the MCU.
Gemma Chan, Olivia Wilde, and Nick Kroll also star in what is set to be one of the most intriguing films of the year.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)
Release Date: 10 October 2022
All that anyone seems to be talking about right now is Spider-Man, after the release of the hugely successful Spider-Man: No Way Home, but there is already another Spidey film on the horizon; a highly desirable sequel to 2018’s animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which hit the right note with audiences and critics alike.
This one is set to introduce Miles to Miguel O’Hara, more commonly known as Spider-Man 2099, a Spider-Man from the future. This is another romp across the multiverse, which may be a common theme in superhero movies next year but it is also territory where Spider-Verse has always been ahead of the curve.
Miles, Peter, and Gwen are all set to return as well, but it’s still up in the air as to whether we’ll see the spider-people from the first make their return. Regardless, audiences are in for double the fun with this film as it’s only part one of the two-part story which will conclude in 2023. If both entries live up to the amazing first film, they will be a joy to watch.
Words by Richard Ord
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