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6 Comic Book Films You Need To See in 2016


The year 2016 is the dawn of comic book films in Hollywood.

The previous year brought in a bevy of movies to mollify our craving for superheroes. There was Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, and Fantastic Four, but it had been slow and somewhat a disaster. The Fantastic Four reboot bombed at the box office with overwhelmingly negative reviews, while Ant-Man had been just good enough thanks to its ensemble cast.

Luckily, this year is different. 2016’s superhero flicks are raising the bar with fresh storylines, casting, and perhaps better visual effects.

That said, here’s a countdown of the comic book films coming out this year that we’re excited to see.

  1. Suicide Squad

    Release Date: August 6Cast: Margot Robbie (Dr. Harleen F. Quinzel / Harley Quinn), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), Jared Leto (The Joker), Will Smith (Floyd Lawton / Deadshot), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Ben Affleck (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Karen Fukuhara (Tatsu Yamashiro / Katana), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Waylon Jones / Killer Croc), Jay Hernandez (Chato Santana / El Diablo), Adam Beach (Christopher Weiss / Slipknot), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller)

    Director: David Ayer

    Expectation: Medium

    DC’s team of villains turned government heroes makes for the perfect movie plot. Suicide Squad, or Task Force X, is a ragtag team of super-villains taken out of prison set on high-risk missions for the U.S. government as an exchange for altered sentences.

    An all-star cast ensemble which includes Will Smith, Jared Leto, and Margot Robbie also adds to the pull this film has on audiences.

    Seeing the trailer the first time got me excited for its release, although I have an issue with its PG-13 rating. It seems to me that Deadpool has set a trend with its current Rated R direction. The David Ayer film might have played it safe going for a rating that traditionally guarantees profits. However, I’m really looking forward to Margot Robbie’s performance as The Joker’s former lover, as well as Leto’s take on the insane villain. Leto has been fully dedicated to making his version of The Joker memorable, what with his method acting and all. Meanwhile, Robbie’s Harley Quinn seems to have stolen almost every scene in the trailer. I’m just hoping she doesn’t go overboard with the crazy.

    Nonetheless, Ayer’s Suicide Squad appears to be an enjoyable movie worth watching. 

  2. X-Men: Apocalypse

    Release Date: May 27Cast: Jennifer Lawrence (Raven / Mystique), Olivia Munn (Betsy Braddock / Psylocke), Oscar Isaac (En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse), Michael Fassbender (Erik Lensherr / Magneto), Evan Peters (Peter / Quicksilver), Rose Byrne (Moira MacTaggert), Nicholas Hoult (Hank McCoy / Beast), Sophie Turner (Jean Grey), James McAvoy (Charles Xavier), Tye Sheridan (Scott Summers / Cyclops), Alexandra Shipp (Ororo Munroe / Storm), Lucas Till (Alex Summers / Havok), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler), Josh Helman (William Stryker), Monique Ganderton (Death), Lana Condor (Jubilation Lee / Jubilee), Ben Hardy (Warren Worthington III / Angel), Rochelle Okoye (Plague), Tómas Lemarquis CalibanDirector: Bryan Singer

    Expectation: Medium

    X-Men: Apocalypse will be directed by director and producer Bryan Singer as a follow-up to X-Men: Days of Future Past. I’m setting my expectations high on this one mainly because of the cast and storyline.

    Apocalypse is the most sinister and powerful mutant that fans have been waiting for to see in such a long. I’m also really interested to see the absurdly talented Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Force Awakens) taking the villain to new menacing heights.

    I have an issue though when it comes to the introduction of young mutant versions of characters we’ve come to love. The film might fall short when it comes to establishing a connection between these stars and their characters. They can certainly throw in a bunch of special effects, props, and costumes, but that could only go so far. There’s a risk of the film ending up like X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

  3. Doctor Strange

    Release Date: November 4Cast: Rachel McAdams, Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Stephen Strange), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Mads Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mordo), Benedict Wong (Wong), Amy Landecker, Michael Stuhlbarg (Nicodemus West)

    Director: Scott Derrickson

    Expectation: High

    Dr. Stephen Strange is the world’s top neurologist whose career gets destroyed following a near fatal car accident. His recovery will lead him into the world of the mystic arts as he is trained by the "Ancient One" and becomes Earth’s shield against evil mystical threats.

    The movie is expected to be filled with magic spells, portals, teleportation, and the likes since it’s based on the comics made in the ‘60s psychedelic era. I’m expecting Dr. Strange to be as weird as it’s going to get.

    Starring Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme, Ejiofor as Baron Mordo, and Swinton as The Ancient One, the film has packed some Oscar power punch that will undoubtedly take it to staggering heights. It’s a calculated move since introducing magic and supernatural demons into the MCU might be too much for suspension of reality.Scott Derrickson’s background in horror is another plus.

    It also doesn’t hurt that Cumberbatch’s costume is just plain awesome. 

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    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

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    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

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    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

    click to enlarge

    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

    click to enlarge

    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

    click to enlarge

    Image Credit: Marvel via Entertainment Weekly

    This film has all the markings of a blockbuster hit. There’s no trailer yet, but I’m pretty sure I don’t need to be any more convinced than I already am of watching it in cinemas.  

  4. Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice

    Release Date: March 25

    Cast: Henry Cavill (Clark Kent / Superman), Ben Affleck (Bruce Wayne / Batman), Gal Gadot (Diana Prince / Wonder Woman), Ezra Miller (Barry Allen / The Flash (rumored)), Jason Momoa (Arthur Curry / Aquaman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor), Michael Shannon (General Zod), Jeremy Irons (Alfred), Ray Fisher (Victor Stone / Cyborg)

    Director: Zack Snyder

    Expectation: High

    Dawn of Justice will be the launchpad of DC's cinematic universe, which is why I have nothing but high expectations for this one and why it’s Top 3 on our list. It’s also huge for fans since it’s going to be a first for "The Trinity" – Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman – to appear together on the big screen.

    The title alone reveals the storyline of the film, but we already know that Batman and Superman will eventually make up and fight as a team. Undoubtedly, Dawn of Justice is the movie everyone’s been waiting for. Just like Civil War, knowing that the biggest heroes in comics are battling each other is enough reason to check it out.

    I’m one of those people who aren’t confident with Ben Affleck being cast as Batman. The trailer isn’t any assurance either. WB might have revealed too much of the plot already. Its excessive special effects and characters lacking in depth also seemed more of a hype made for children. As it happens, it is Rated PG-13, but I’m hoping the film still has a few mysteries under its belt that would make my theatre experience well worth it.

  5. Captain America: Civil War

    Release Date: May 6

    Cast: Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark / Iron Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers / Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier), (Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch), Paul Rudd (Scott Lang / Ant-Man), Tom Holland (Peter Parker / Spider-Man), Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton / Hawkeye), Paul Bettany (Vision), Frank Grillo (Brock Rumlow / Crossbones), Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson / Falcon) Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa / Black Panther), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes / War Machine) William Hurt (Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross)

    Directors: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

    Expectation: High

    Captain America: Civil War is expected to feature one of the most epic battles in Marvel history. By now, it’s known that Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are going to war because of the events from Age of Ultron. Captain America and Iron Man are leading the anti-registration and pro-registration factions, respectively. Steve Rogers insistence on superhero freedom and his loyalty to Bucky, who is rumoured to have killed Stark’s parents, will put him and his team head to head with their fellow superheroes and friends.

    This film is second on this list mainly because of the plot and the number of superheroes we’re expecting to see. I’m excited to see the big fight scenes, as well as how the heroes come to terms with their own inner battles.

    With the Russo brothers’ success with Winter Soldier and them helming this one as well, I’m expecting Civil War to be one of the bests in the MCU. Even though the duo have a lot of characters to focus on, they know what they’re doing. Anthony Russo said in a recent interview that Civil War will have enough screen time for each hero. There’s also Spider-Man’s debut into the MCU I’m really looking forward to.  

  6. Deadpool

    Release Date: February 12

    Cast: Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson / Deadpool), Morena Baccarin (Vanessa Carlysle / Copycat), Gina Carano Angel Dust, T.J. Miller (Weasel), Ed Skrein (Ajax), Stefan Kapicic  (Colossus), Brianna Hildebrand (Ellie Phimister / Negasonic Teenage Warhead)

    Director: Tim Miller

    Expectation: High

    Top on our list is Deadpool because why the hell not?

    Deadpool isn’t first on the list because it’s also the first film to kick off superhero stories this year. Rather, it’s because of its genius marketing and the fact that it took an entire 11 years before it got the greenlight from the studio. It’s a good thing the movie officially rated R as well since fans have been pushing for it from the start.

    Ryan Reynolds is returning as the X-Men Origins: Wolverine character that didn’t please some fans. In the movie, 20th Century Fox decided to maim Deadpool and sew his mouth shut. It’s surprising that they turned that around, let alone finish the movie. This is redemption for the Merc with a Mouth.

    Reynolds’ dedication to the project led to what Deadpool is now and the character fits him to a tee. 

    NYC’s about to get a lot Pooler. Dress up as #Deadpool & walk the carpet on 2/8. https://t.co/Yzp1srZoxWpic.twitter.com/Pr4Upel5Xj
    — Deadpool Movie (@deadpoolmovie)
    January 29, 2016
    Berlin! Endlich sehe ich den Ort, an dem David Hasselhoff die Mauer mit seiner mächtigen Stimme vernichtet hat! pic.twitter.com/MsW1C6VYY1
    — Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds)
    January 26, 2016
    And now, a special message from the Merc with a Mouth down under. #AustraliaDayhttps://t.co/KNswgrK1RY
    — Deadpool Movie (@deadpoolmovie)
    January 25, 2016
    The Merc is Out There. #Deadpool#XFilespic.twitter.com/45iDn02iX1
    — Deadpool Movie (@deadpoolmovie)
    January 25, 2016

    We’ll just have to see whether Deadpool’s R-rating will have an impact on profits since this led to the film being banned in China. All things being considered, money really isn’t the goal here. I’m just glad the studio took the risk and it won’t be long this time before we see Deadpool on the big screen.

     

    I’d have to say we’re in for a pretty good year when it comes to sheer quantity of comic book movies. With a huge lineup rolling out until 2020, 2016 is only the beginning of a comic revolution, if it hasn’t begun already.

    My opinion on the upcoming films were based on plot synopsis, casting, and promotional materials.

    There’s no guarantee that any of the aforementioned films will be enough to satisfy our inner critique, but with 7 superhero films slated out for 2016, fans won’t be lacking in choices.

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