If, ten years ago, we expected a couple of comic-book films each year, in recent times – thanks to the impressive development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (which has acted as a forerunner for Warner, Fox, Sony and Universal) – we are now used to attending two (or even three) releases every year, showing that people are anything but tired of superhero films, considering that the majority of times these films are sagas featuring multiple episodes.
While the choice is extremely wide and varied, it is also true that this bombardment from the big screen could overwhelm the viewer and cause him/her to miss some releases that could be of interest. For this reason, we have decided to simplify life a little for those who love superheroes on the big screen, compiling a small list of the most important releases in this genre between now and 2020.
Silver & Black (2018)
The comic-book film of Black Cat and Silver Sable will be called Silver and Black and will be produced by Sony, which owns the rights. It will be directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (already renowned for Love & Basketball and The Secret Life of Bees) and, if initial rumours are to be believed, it seems that the film will feature characters belonging to the Spider-Man universe but without the character of Spider-Man appearing or being mentioned.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2018)
What is known for sure about the new episode of the Fox comic-book film about mutants is that it will feature the same temporal continuity as Days of Future Past and Apocalypse, and that it will centre principally on the character of Magneto, leader of a messianic cult whose initiates include the Acolytes, his mutant disciples.
Venom (2018)
Announced for the first time in 2007, this Spider-Man spin-off will be produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, and produced by Sony and Marvel, despite having no ties with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Like Silver & Black, it will centre on a universe that is parallel to Spider-Man, focusing entirely on his arch enemy.
Avengers: Infinity War – Episode II (2019)
After the April release of the first episode of the film that marks the end of the third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the release of the second episode is expected in 2019, and it will very probably settle the battle between the Avengers and Thanos once and for all, thus concluding the most beloved saga in this comic-book universe.
X-Men: New Mutants (2019)
Fox has recently been expanding the X-Men saga with a spin-off centring on a new group of mutants, which will be directed by Josh Boone, already esteemed thanks to the success of The Fault in Our Stars. The film should be released this year, but Fox has chosen to postpone it for a good ten months to ramp-up and improve the horror side of the film, encouraged by the great success enjoyed by both IT and Get Out.
Aquaman (2019)
The lord of Atlantis, who has long been the butt of jokes by readers and fans (even the protagonists of The Big Bang Theory say: “Aquaman sucks!”), will have the right to a film of his own, after appearing in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. James Wan, renowned thanks to the success of Fast & Furious 7, will be directing.
Captain Marvel (2019)
In the comics he was known as Ms. Marvel or Warbird, while today the female aviator who became an Avenger is called Captain Marvel and will soon have a film of his own, directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. The story will be set in the Nineties and will also be the cinematographic debut of famous aliens such as Skrull.
Shazam! (2019)
This film tells the story of Billy Batson, a little boy who, when he says the word Shazam, can turn himself into a hero whose strength is comparable to that of Superman. According to some rumours, it seems that the tone of the film will be in line with that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Spideman: Homecoming 2 (2019)
The sequel to Spiderman: Homecoming will see the return of director Jon Watts, which gives us reason to think that it will have the same freshness as the first instalment. What is known of the plot is that the film will be set a few minutes after the end of Avengers 4 and that it will feature the presence of a femme fatale who will very probably be the famous Black Cat.
Cyborg (2020)
After appearing in Justice League in 2018, Cyborg will have his own film in 2020, which will tell of a steel hero about whom little is known at the moment. What is certain is that the stand-alone dedicated to this DC hero is causing various problems from the point of view of production, but seems to be confirmed for two years’ time.
Guardiani della Galassia 3 (2020)
James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy, has replied to fans who asked for news of the third episode of the beloved saga on Twitter with “in 2020”. If Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 enjoyed great success at the box office (763 million dollars and 863 million dollars respectively) and if audiences could be revived with the appearance of the Guardians in Avengers: Infinity War, this third episode promises to be a huge success for Marvel.
In conclusion, these and a few other releases are summarised below with their year and date of release.
Deadpool 2 – 18th May 2018
Ant-Man and the Wasp – 6th July 2018 (August in Italy)
Alita: Battle Angel – 20th July 2018
Teen Titans Go! The film – 6th September 2018
Venom – 5th October 2018
X-Men: Dark Phoenix – 12th November 2018
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – 14th December 2018
Aquaman – 21st December 2018
Hellboy – 11th January 2019
Silver & Black – 8th February 2019 (postponed to a date that is yet to be announced)
New Mutants – 22nd February 2019
Captain Marvel – 8th March 2019
Shazam – 5th April 2019
Gambit – 7th June 2019
Sequel di Spider-Man: Homecoming – 5th July 2019
Wonder Woman 2 – 1st November 2019
Cyborg – 3rd April 2020
Guardians of the Galaxy 3 – 1st May 2020
Green Lantern Corps – 24th July 2020
