The big blockbuster movie season may be over, but that doesn't mean
that there aren't a ton of films still to come in 2016 that have us
excited. From the ongoing saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Doctor
Strange) to the ongoing saga of the Star Wars Universe (Rogue One) to
the launch of new universes (Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar
Children), the movie franchise world looks to be well taken care of as
we head into September.
But there's also real-world dramas to
look forward to (Snowden, Sully), smart sci-fi (Passengers, Arrival),
and of course as Halloween approaches, horror (Blair Witch, Ouija:
Origin of Evil). There's much to choose from, so we've narrowed down the
upcoming release slate to the biggest 7 movies that hitted recently.
Check out the list below, and then let us know what movies you're most looking forward to as well!
Kickboxer: Vengeance
Release Date: Sept. 2 (US), Sept. 30 (UK), TBD (AU)
Jean-Claude Van Damme returns to the Kickboxer universe, having starred
in the original film in 1989. Now, rather than playing Kurt Sloane,
Alain Moussi is taking on the role in this remake while Van Damme is
playing Kurt's master. He’s helping train the fighter as he pursues his
revenge against Tong Po (David Bautista), who killed Kurt's brother in a
fight. This is the sixth entry in the Kickboxer franchise, the first of
which helped thrust Van Damme into the public consciousness. John
Stockwell is directing the movie which also features Gina Carano.
Sully
Release Date: Sept. 9 (US), Dec. 2 (UK), Sept. 8 (AU)
Tom Hanks' first movie on this list, Sully is the story of Captain
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the pilot who managed to land a passenger
jet on the Hudson River in January of 2009. Directed by Clint Eastwood,
Sully looks at not just the tale of how Sullenberger landed the plane
and saved the lives of 155 people, but also the investigation that
followed, an investigation "that threatened to destroy his reputation
and his career." The movie is based on the book written by Sullenberger
himself alongside Jeffrey Zaslow. Aaron Eckhart appears as Sully's
co-pilot, while Laura Linney plays Sully's wife.
Blair Witch
Release Date: Sept. 16 (US), Sept. 15 (UK, AU)
Originally marketed as The Woods, it was revealed this summer that this film is in fact a(nother) sequel to The Blair Witch
Project. The original film in the franchise, released in 1999, is
regularly credited with kick-starting the found footage horror subgenre
craze. This new tale, directed by Adam Wingard (You're Next), features a
story linked to that first film, with more kids going off into the
words in search of mystery, and the promise of many chills. Unlike with
the original Blair Witch, however, everyone in the audience watching the
story unfold will know that this is just a movie.
Snowden
Release Date: Sept. 16 (US), TBD (UK, AU)
Last fall, Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in The Walk as Philippe Petit,
the man who traversed a high-wire between the two towers of the World
Trade Center. This fall, Gordon-Levitt is Edward Snowden, someone who
has performed an entirely different sort of feat, and one which may have
captured the attention of an even larger audience. Oliver Stone directs
this story of the government contractor who stole and leaked classified
information from the National Security Agency. Opinions vary greatly on
Snowden and his actions, but whether he is viewed as a patriot or a
traitor, his story could make for very compelling viewing.
The Magnificent Seven
Release Date: Sept. 23 (US, UK), Sept. 29 (AU)
For this remake of a Hollywood classic that was, in turn, adapted from a
Japanese film, director Antoine Fuqua has put together a cast that
includes Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke (both of whom worked with
Fuqua on Training Day) as well as Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio, Manuel
Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, and Byung-hun Lee. The story, from an
updated screenplay by Nic Pizzolatto (True Detective) and Richard Wenk
(The Equalizer), finds the titular seven hired to defend the population
of the town of Rose Creek from an evil industrialist.
The Birth of a Nation
Release Date: Oct. 7 (US), Jan. 20 (UK), TBD (AU)
Nate Parker directs, stars in, and wrote the screenplay for this
historical drama about Nat Turner (Parker). A slave and a preacher,
Turner not only sees terrible injustices, but also has them inflicted
upon him in this 19th century-based movie. Eventually, Turner
"orchestrates an uprising in the hopes of leading his people to
freedom." The Birth of a Nation screened at Sundance in 2016, where it
premiered and won both a Grand Jury Prize and an Audience Award. But
with Parker mired in controversy now, only time will tell how that affects audience interest in -- and awards season consideration for -- The Birth of a Nation.
Deepwater Horizon
Release Date: Sept. 30 (US, UK), Oct. 6 (AU)
Another in this fall's spate of based-on-a-true-story films, Deepwater Horizon
stars Mark Wahlberg and tells the tale of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig
explosion on April 20, 2010. Directed by Peter Berg, who previously
worked with Wahlberg on Lone Survivor, this film could prove to offer a
very intense depiction of the disaster in question. According to the
synopsis, "this story honors the brave men and women whose heroism would
save many on board, and change everyone’s lives forever."
Deepwater Horizon also stars Kurt Russell, Kate Hudson, John Malkovich, Gina Rodriguez, and Dylan O'Brien.
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