It’s no secret that 2020 has been an awful year for the cinematic experience. Barring perhaps “TENET” and “Wonder Woman 1984”, the hallowed halls of movie theatres have been left desolate since February. Most films were either relegated to streaming services or postponed to the following year. Needless to say, major new releases from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) have been scarce.
Fear not, though, friends because it seems 2021 is heralding a comeback for all you comic-book film nerds out there. So put on your cape, cowl and supersuit because we’re counting our ten most anticipated comic-book films of 2021.
1. The King’s Man
Loosely based on Mark Millar’s graphic novels, Fox’s “Kingsman” films revolve around a group of secret agents who serve the British Crown. We’ve see the future generation of the Kingsman organisation through the eyes of Taron Egerton’s Eggsy in “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”.
This year, though, we’ll get to witness its inception through a handful or secret agents who intervened in World War I. The origin story of the Kingsman. The film was slated to make a theatrical release on 18th September 2020. Unfortunately, the film was pushed back. Looks like we’ll have to wait just a little longer before seeing actor Ralph Fiennes kick imperialists’ ass.
2. Zack Snyder’s Justice League (March)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIOU_k4mwDw
Against all odds, fans of Zack Snyder will get to see the director’s original vision for “Justice League” on HBO Max. The Snyder Cut is coming! Unlike Joss Whedon’s theatrical edit, Snyder’s film has a runtime of roughly 4-hours. And you thought “The Irishman” was long? So massive and unwieldy was this film that it had to be split into four separate episodes.
Now, a lot of what Snyder had envisioned for the film was left on the cutting floor. A whole bunch of characters were set to appear in the theatrical release. From Barry Allen’s love interest Iris West to Ryan Choi, the Atom to Ray Porter’s Darkseid. We’re definitely curious to say the least. Will Snyder redeem the 2017 film? Or will “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” be yet another disaster? We’ll find out soon enough on HBO Max in March 2021.
3. Morbius (Pushed To 2022*)
Coming off the success of 2018’s “Venom” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”, Sony Pictures will further expand their cinematic universe with “Morbius”. The film follows the story of Michael Morbius, a brilliant scientist who is plagued with a rare blood disease. In an effort to cure his ailment using unconventional means, he in turns develops vampirism. Morbius finds himself imbued with superhuman abilities from enhanced speed and strength to teleportation. It all comes at a price, though, as he battles against an overwhelming urge for blood.
Actor Jared Leto is set to play the vampiric anti-hero and based on some neat little easter eggs in the trailer, it seems the film will be set within Disney’s MCU. Despite the fact that its a Sony production…strange indeed.
4. Black Widow (May)
It feels like an eternity since Disney’s Marvel announced Black Widow’s first ever solo film. Set after the events of “Captain America: Civil War”, we’ll see the infamous spy/assassin Natasha Romanov finally confront her past. She returns to Russia to mend old wounds, settle a few scores and prove to the world why she is Marvel’s most dangerous spy. Not since “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” have we really gotten a true spy caper within the MCU.
It’ll be a nice change of pace from the loud, bombastic apocalypse of “Avengers: Endgame”. Romanov will also be facing off against the MCU’s latest villain, the Taskmaster. A ruthless mercenary with the extraordinary ability to replicate other people’s fighting style. In the trailer, we see him draw his skills from Hawkeye, Captain America and even Black Panther. Now this is going to be a fight you do not want to miss. “Black Widow” will be hitting theatres on 7th May 2021.
5. Venom: Let There Be Carnage (June)
In a mid-credits scene of 2018’s “Venom”, fans caught a glimpse of Marvel’s most infamous serial killer Cletus Kasady. Reporter Eddie Brock, aka Venom, was about to interview the prisoner before Kasady chillingly told Brock that “When I get out of here, and I will, there’s going to be carnage”. In case you didn’t know, Kasady is actually a symbiote host to a popular Spider-Man and Venom villain known as Carnage. With Kasady’s twisted mind and the symbiote’s powers, Carnage is set to go on a bloody rampage across the land. The character will be portrayed by actor Woody Harrelson with Tom Hardy reprising his role as Venom. You can catch Carnage and Venom go head-to-head in “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” on 25th June 2021.
6. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (July)
Get ready for some high-flying martial arts action next year with Disney’s “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”. The film is set to have an all-Asian cast with actor Simu Liu taking on the titular role of Shang Chi and Tony Leung playing the villainous role of the Mandarin. Awkwafina of “Crazy Rich Asians” fame and Malaysian comedian Ronny Chieng will be co-starring alongside the two.
We’ve heard whispers of the enigmatic Mandarin and have seen his Ten Rings terrorist organisation throughout “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 3”. The latter film saw Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery impersonate the villain. Rest assured, though, the Mandarin is very real and we’ll see him step out of the shadows soon enough. Be sure to check out “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in theatres near you on the 9th July 2021.
7. James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (August)
In spite of the abysmal failure that was 2016’s “Suicide Squad”, Warner Bros has returned for yet another round in the ring. This time, however, the film will be directed by James Gunn, the man behind Disney’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”. The footage released during the DC Fandome event was nothing short of bonkers. Task Force X has just ballooned from a small black ops team of eight into a bloody army of sixteen! The one thing we’re pumped about are the actors set to appear in the film. We’re talking John Cena, Idris Alba and Nathan Fillion with the incomparable Margot Robbie returning as Harley Quinn. The mayhem begins on 6th August 2021 in both theatres and HBO Max streaming services.
8. Eternals (November)
After the events of “Avengers: Endgame”, a large ensemble shaped-hole was left in our hearts. With the Age of the Avengers over, it’s time for a new team of heroes to take their place. A race of god-like superhumans created by the Celestials, as seen in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”. Long before Steve Roger took the super-soldier serum, these immortal warriors have defended humanity.
The film’s cast consist of big names like Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani and “Game of Thrones” actor Richard Madden. Now, what makes the Eternals particularly interesting is their link to the Celestials, who are responsible for the creation of mutants within the Marvel universe. Could we potentially see an X-Men cameo in “Eternals”? All will be revealed come 5th November 2021.
9. Spider-Man 3 (December)
For real, though, what the hell is going on with Disney’s “Spider-Man 3”? Earlier in 2020, the rumours surrounding this film were insane! First, we heard that Jamie Foxx’s Electro was returning. Then there was talk about Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s versions of Spider-Man coming on board. Then, we hear Alfred Molina, the man who played Doctor Octopus in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2” is reprising his role in the film. There’s even been speculation that Charlie Cox’s Daredevil could show up! There’s so much mystery surrounding this film and we, for one, cannot wait to finally uncover it. We’re fairly certain some sort of multiversal element is at play in “Spider-Man 3”. Either way, we’re excited to see what Spider-people shenanigans Disney has in store for us. The film is slated to be released in theatres on 17th December 2021.
10. Black Adam (December)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be making his first ever appearance in a comic-book film, the former wrestler is taking up the mantle of Black Adam in the DCEU. For those unaware of Shazam’s rogues gallery, Black Adam is one of Billy Batson’s greatest nemesis. He was the original champion of magic chosen by the Wizard. Once a superpowered liberator before becoming a mad tyrant. So yes, The Rock will indeed be playing the role of villain in DC’s upcoming “Black Adam” film. He’s even set up to battle against an older incarnation of the Justice League known as the Justice Society of America. Expect to see a superpowered smackdown on 22nd December 2021.
So what comic-book film are you most excited for? Were there any ones we missed out? Be sure to let us know in the comments down below!
