By VINCENT PELLIZZI
COPY EDITOR
Did you love The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises and are hoping for more of the same this summer? Do you scorn superheroes and instead prefer more original science fiction or action movies? Are you looking to laugh at either raunchy comedies or at more family oriented films? Whatever your taste in movies, the summer of 2013 has got you covered.
Though releasing before the official start of the season, Iron Man 3 leads the pack of summer blockbusters this year, picking right up where The Avengers left off. The film aims to take a back-to-basics approach as Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr., Sherlock Holmes) goes solo once again in a post-Avengers world. This time around, Stark squares off against his arch nemesis from the comics, the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley, Hugo), and deals with a new technology known as “Extremis”. The movie, which also stars Gwyneth Paltrow (Contagion), Don Cheadle (Reign Over Me) and Guy Pearce (Prometheus), is sure to be a rollicking good time and will hit theaters on May 3.
Two weeks later, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine, This Means War) and Spock (Zachary Quinto, “Heroes”) make their return to the big screen in Star Trek Into Darkness. This long-ancticipated sequel to the 2008 reboot of the franchise will pit the crew of the Enterprise against a mysterious villain known as John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock”) and will be released on May 17.
Among the most highly anticipated movies this summer is Man of Steel, the new Superman film directed by Zack Snyder of 300 fame. Henry Cavill (Immortals) takes to the skies as Clark Kent as he grows to become the greatest superhero of all time, while defending the earth from the likes of General Zod (Michael Shannon, Revolutionary Road). This sure to be exciting reboot features an ensemble supporting cast including Amy Adams (Trouble with the Curve), Laurence Fishburne (Predators), Diane Lane (Unfaithful) and Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves). Man of Steel flies into theaters on June 14.
Closing out the superhero set for the summer is The Wolverine, which sees Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables) return as leading man after a brief cameo in 2011’s X-Men: First Class. The film’s story has largely been kept under wraps, so it will be interesting to see what is in store for Logan on July 24.
Comedy fans rejoice, as The Hangover Part III arrives on May 24, concluding the wolfpack trilogy with a bang. Phil (Bradley Cooper, Silver Linings Playbook), Stu (Ed Helms, Cedar Rapids) and Alan (Zach Galifanakis, The Campaign) are all back for the ride, with Stripper Jade (Heather Graham, Austin Powers) and Black Doug (Mike Epps, Hancock) returning from the first film. Another comedy offering this summer is Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing, a Shakespearean adaptation with a peculiar production process, involving a 12-day shoot entirely in black and white. The film stars plenty of regular Whedon collaborators including Nathan Fillion (Serenity), Alexis Denisof (The Avengers) and Clark Gregg (Thor), and will be released on June 7.
Disney will offer up two computer-animated films this summer, Planes, a spin-off of Cars, and Monsters University, which finds beloved Pixar characters Mike (Billy Crystal, Parental Guidance) and Sulley (John Goodman, Argo) competing with one another in college. This prequel, 12 years in the making, releases on June 21. Other family films this summer include Dreamworks’ Despicable Me 2, once again starring Steve Carell (Get Smart) and The Smurfs 2, which will sadly be the final film of Jonathan Winters, who passed away last week.
The summer 2013 lineup is rounded out by a handful of original science fiction and/or action films. Elysium is director Neill Blomkamp’s first film since the hugely successful District 9; starring Matt Damon (The Bourne Identity) and Jodie Foster (Flightplan), this unique sci-fi tale is sure to excite audiences. Also debuting this summer are Brad Pitt’s World War Z, an apocalyptic action film, and RED 2, a sequel to the 2010 film which stars an ensemble cast including Bruce Willis (G.I. Joe: Retaliation), John Malkovich (Transformers: Dark of the Moon), Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Anthony Hopkins (Hitchcock). Additionally, the R-rated Kick Ass 2, Machete Kills and White House Down are sure to satisfy the hardcore action crowd.
Last but not least is Guillermo del Toro’s latest, Pacific Rim, which will pit human soldiers piloting giant robot mechs against giant monsters who have risen from the ocean depths. The movie, which mixes throwbacks to classic B-movies with del Toro’s signature artistic style, is sure to wow audiences on July 12.
The summer of 2013 is filled to the absolute brim with content for everyone— whether it be tentpole blockbusters like Man of Steel or more niche fare such as Much Ado About Nothing, moviegoers are sure to be in for a treat.