2018 Comic Book Movies: A look at the year ahead

With the arrival of the new year, it’s no secret that 2018 is already gearing up to be one of the biggest comic book movie years to date. The 2018 comic book movies include highly-anticipated sequels, standalone films, and introductions into new universes and storylines that will draw in massive audiences and, more than likely, huge box office numbers.

The New Mutants, X-Men’s introduction into the mutant horror genre in the cinematic universe, was originally slated to hit theaters on April 13. It was announced, however, that the film about five young mutants being held captive in a secret facility has been pushed back to February 22, 2019 and will not be one of the 2018 comic book movies after all. With that being said, the rest of 2018 seemingly remains intact, and with more than enough content to entice comic book fans worldwide.

Black Panther

Ever since his debut in Captain America: Civil War, fans have been waiting to see Chadwick Boseman in a solo Black Panther movie and next month, they will get their wish. Audiences will be introduced to T’Challa’s (Boseman) isolated and technologically-advanced kingdom, Wakanda, where the hero will attempt to take his rightful place as king after the death of his father. T’Challa will face opposition and conflict both within and outside his homeland. The movie also stars Michael B. Jordan (Creed), Lupita Nyong’o (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Danai Gurira (The Walking Dead), Martin Freeman (Sherlock), Angela Bassett (American Horror Story), and Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, aka Klaw, T’Challa’s nemesis who was first seen in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Black Panther is a contender for the most highly-anticipated movie this year, especially after earning the biggest first-day ticket pre-sales in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU) history.

Release Date: February 16 | More Info

Avengers: Infinity War

Arguably the most anticipated movie of 2018, the minds both on and off-screen behind the MCU have created an arc that has all been leading up to this. Featuring characters from the combined and standalone Marvel movies that have been produced over the last decade, Avengers: Infinity War finds The Avengers and their allies coming together and potentially sacrificing everything against their biggest threat yet: Thanos, played by Josh Brolin, who threatens to destroy the universe. After the events of Captain America: Civil War, fans will also be eager to see the dynamic of The Avengers and whether or not the unresolved tensions are addressed or pushed aside to focus on the greater threat.

The impressive historical collaboration, planning, and the sheer amount of iconic characters being in one movie together (and the fear of losing any of them) in this culmination event will more than likely propel Infinity War to become the highest-grossing film of the year, as well as being a contender for the most successful MCU movie yet. The trailer even had the biggest launch ever, resulting in 230 million views within 24 hours of release. The film is part one of a two-part story arc, maintaining the directors (Joe and Anthony Russo) for both and being shot back-to-back.

Release Date: May 4 | More Info

Deadpool 2

Ryan Reynolds’ R-rated anti-hero is coming back this summer, and is bringing director David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde) with him. The plot for the sequel is unknown, but Zazie Beets (Atlanta) will star as Domino with Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War) taking on the role of Deadpool’s frenemy, Cable. There may not be much detail to go off yet, but with the success of the first firm, Reynold’s investment in the franchise and the character, and the clever teaser trailer featuring Deadpool as a bizarre Bob Ross, there’s no doubt the sequel should live up to its predecessor.

Release Date: May 18 | More Info

The Incredibles 2

While technically the sequel isn’t based on a comic book, The Incredibles has everything a fun comic book movie should have: engaging characters, action, some humor, a dysfunctional family theme and inevitably, hope, no matter how dark or complicated things get. It sounds like there will be a change in dynamic in the sequel, with Helen (Holly Hunter) taking over the spotlight in the superhero family and leaving Bob (Craig T. Nelson) at home with the kids. According to the synopsis, this will allow Bob to figure out how to deal with everyday life at home, which will be tricky for the whole gang. As they try to adjust, Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) and the family will have to figure out how to work together again when a new villain arrives with a “brilliant and dangerous plot.”

Release Date: June 15 | More Info

Ant-Man and The Wasp

Ant-Man and The Wasp is one of the first Marvel superhero movies that is female-led, albeit jointly, with Evangeline Lilly (Ant-Man) partnering up alongside Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man as The Wasp. Also starring Michelle Pfeiffer (Murder on the Orient Express) as Janet van Dyne, the titular characters will team up on an urgent mission that will ultimately uncover secrets from their past.

Release Date: July 6 | More Info

Alita: Battle Angel

Adapted from the iconic Battle Angel Alita manga series created by Yukito Kishiro, and directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series), this futuristic movie introduces Alita, played by Rosa Salazar (Maze Runner: The Death Cure), an amnesiac cyborg who wakes up in a clinic after being found in an Iron City scrapyard by Ido (Academy Award winner Christoph Waltz), the cyber-doctor who takes her in. On top of navigating her new experiences and trying to figure out who she is, Alita meets a street-smart new friend, Hugo (Keean Johnson), and has to confront the deadly forces that are coming after her. Discovering her incredible fighting abilities, Alita fights back against her enemies in order to find out the truth about her origin and to protect her friends and family. With stunning visuals, a dark, corrupt world to explore, and what appears to be some badass action with a lot of heart, Alita: Battle Angel is an exciting new venture from producer and writer James Cameron (Avatar). Also starring Academy Award winners Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Mahershala Ali (Moonlight).

Release Date: July 20 | More Info

Teen Titans Go! to the Movies

Based on the popular animated superhero TV series, as well as the DC comic book series, this feature-length film will center on the group of heroes wanting to break into the Hollywood scene like the other major superheroes have been. The Teen Titans will have to overcome internal conflicts, as well as a super villain’s maniacal plan to take over the Earth, in order to save the day. Some of the voice actors include Kristen Bell (The Good Place), Will Arnett (BoJack Horseman), Khary Payton (The Walking Dead), and Tara Strong (Teen Titans Go!).

Release Date: July 27 | More Info

Venom

While an official plot has not yet been announced, Venom is well-known in the comic book world as an archnemesis to Spider-Man. Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road) plays the titular character, also known as Eddie Brock, a journalist that bonds with the symbiote alien suit/lifeforce and begins terrorizing the people of New York and Spider-Man as well.

Spider-Man won’t be in the film, but it was recently rumored that Tom Holland “was on set filming scenes on Venom for at least two days as Peter Parker.” So while we may not see Holland as the actual superhero in costume, his character may be making a cameo, which will lead to some intriguing possibilities for future Spider-Man films and the MCU in general.

For Venom, director Ruben Fleischer is focusing on Venom’s dark backstory and is intrigued by the “dark element” of Venom and “a wit that has always appealed” to him. Part of that is the dynamic between Venom and Brock, which is similar to a Jekyll-and-Hyde relationship, essentially exploring the quote: “You’re Eddie Brock. I’m the symbiote. Together we are Venom.” Possibly rated R and set to come out just a couple of weeks before Halloween, Venom — and especially Tom Hardy — will draw in horror fans and comic-book audiences alike.

Release Date: October 5 | More Info

X-Men: Dark Phoenix

Starring Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) as Jean Grey, X-Men: Dark Phoenix will focus on the well-known Grey/Dark Phoenix story arc from the comics. Acting as a follow-up to X-Men: Apocalypse, the team will have to face some very difficult choices as Jean Grey’s immense powers begin to develop and start to corrupt her, turning her into the Dark Phoenix. The highly-anticipated sequel will also star James McAvoy (Atomic Blonde), Michael Fassbender (Alien: Covenant), Jennifer Lawrence (Passengers), Jessica Chastain (Molly’s Game), Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), Evan Peters (American Horror Story), and many more familiar faces as well as new characters to add to the mix of this specific X-Men timeline.

Release Date: November 2 | More Info

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

“Enter a universe where more than one wears the mask.”

The new animated Spider-Man film will launch a franchise different from the live-action Spider-Man movies we’ve seen on screen so far. Into the Spider-Verse is centered on Miles Morales as Spider-Man, voiced by Shameik Moore (Dope), who will not only confront a villain voiced by Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan) but will reportedly fall through an alternate-universe New York City that is populated by a variety of different Spider-Men, which is how Peter Parker comes into play. The recently-released trailer reveals Miles asking someone (most likely Peter), “Wait, so, how many of us are there?” In the comics, there are different versions of Miles and Peter’s relationship; for this particular film, it sounds like Peter will act as a mentor with the film focusing mainly on Miles’ story as the Spider-Man baton is passed to him.

Release Date: December 14 | More Info

Aquaman

Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry, aka, Aquaman, will discover that he is the heir to Atlantis, the underwater kingdom, and that he must step forward to lead his people. The superhero, capable of harnessing the power of the ocean, will be faced with various conflicts, including confronting his nemesis, Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II). James Wan (Furious 7) directed the film, which also stars Amber Heard (Justice League), Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies), Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring 2), and Willem Dafoe (Murder on the Orient Express).

Release Date: December 21 | More Info