In 2013, Hollywood offers plenty of much-awaited follow-up installments of fans' most beloved film franchises, including 'Iron Man', 'Star Trek', 'Despicable Me', 'Hunger Games', 'Thor' and 'Hobbit'.
- Jan 1, 2013
AceShowbiz - Entering 2013, Hollywood is preparing a host of awesome sequels. A number of world's most popular film franchises are gearing up to unleash the follow-up to their successful installments to satisfy their devoted fans who can't wait to enjoy the continuation of their stories. Offering a guide to must watch films next year, AceShowbiz presents Most Anticipated Movie Sequels in 2013 that compiles a number of selected sequel titles that have been eagerly awaited by many moviegoers and fanboys.
The continuation of such big action franchises as "Iron Man", "Die Hard", "The Hunger Games", "Thor" and "The Fast and the Furious" are all set to entertain film lovers for the next 12 months. Also, the follow-up to family movies "The Hobbit", "Despicable Me", "Monsters Inc." and "The Smurfs" alike are lining up on must see holiday film list this year.
"A Good Day to Die Hard"
Release Date: February 14
More than five years since fans last saw him in action, John McClane will greet his devotees with more intense actions in "A Good Day to Die Hard". This fifth chapter of the famous action film franchise will be an alternative on Valentine's Day, when cinemas are occupied with romantic flicks. More eye-popping stunts and high-octane actions will make sure the film worth the long wait. Presenting something different, "Die Hard 5" will take McClane on his first adventure outside the States as he is caught into life-threatening troubles in Russia to save his only son John McClane Jr. Bruce Willis once again fills in McClaine's shoes, while Jai Courtney is introduced as the main protagonist's hot-looking son.
"Iron Man 3"
Release Date: May 3
Kicking off the summer movie season, Tony Stark will return with more of his top-notch actions and witty humors in "Iron Man 3". Picking up the story after the epic battle in "The Avengers", this film promises to expose grittier plot with Tony facing off The Mandarin, an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. The tricky villain apart, the film has more new stuff with the appearance of Iron Patriot and the revelation of Tony's other drones. As if it's not enough to make fans curious, Marvel honcho Kevin Feige has vowed that this film will offer a "very unique directions" that will include further exploration of fan-beloved Tony.
"Star Trek Into Darkness"
Release Date: May 17
Throughout 2012, "Star Trek Into Darkness" has become one of the most-talked-about blockbuster projects, mostly because of the persistently hidden true identity of Benedict Cumberbatch's villainous character. Though it's already revealed that the said mysterious key figure would be called John Harrison, speculation has been growing about whether the name is just an alias of a familiar character. This question will only be answered by watching the movie, which will also bring Kirk and his crew to a manhunt of a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. For longtime fans of "Star Trek" franchise, J.J. Abrams promises "there are definitely nods to prior 'Trek' lore in the film."
"Fast and Furious 6"
Release Date: May 24
Moviegoers should "fasten their seatbelts" when watching "Fast and Furious 6" since it will surely boast bigger and more intense car chase scenes which have become the prominent trademark of the franchise. Plot details are still scarce so far, but one of the film's stars, rapper Ludacris, teased that there would be a rival crew for Vin Diesel and the gang. Gushing that the sixth film would be more impressive than "Fast Five", he claimed that "there is a whole new batch of surprises," adding, "The crew that is in 'Fast Five', we are going up against a rival crew, so it's almost like Justice League up against the Legion of Doom."
"The Hangover Part III"
Release Date: May 24
Despite their effort to stay sober, Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug found themselves landing in trouble on a special day in "The Hangover Part II" and another wild day is awaiting them in "The Hangover Part III". Never failing to surprise audience, director Todd Phillips promises more craziness and raunchy jokes which will "not follow the same template, but is very much a new idea." Fans of the first and second "Hangover" definitely would not want to miss this third installment since it could possibly be the swan song of the franchise.
"Monsters University"
Release Date: June 21
More than 11 years after Sulley and the gang first graced the big screen, they return in "Monsters University" which is more precise to be called a prequel to 2001's "Monsters Inc.". Set ten years before the event in the first movie, the pic will reveal how the fluffy blue monster and his one-eyed green dude Mike first met when they were teenagers. Not only that, but the audience will also see that the two best friends were initially stiff rivals before they become inseparable comrades. Heart-warming story about friendship and mind-refreshing jokes in this film will definitely make a cheerful summer.
"Despicable Me 2"
Release Date: July 3
Gru broke the stereotype of commonly hated villain despite his mission to steal the moon in "Despicable Me", and his return in "Despicable Me 2" is eagerly awaited by many who want to spend some family time in theaters this coming summer. The supervillain Gru is still juggling becoming a father to the three lovable girls and maintaining his reputation as the world���s No. 1 villain, aided by the super cute and clumsy minions. Plot details of the movie are still kept under tight wraps, but it is revealed that Gru will face a new troublesome villain who will be voiced by veteran actor Al Pacino.
"The Smurfs 2"
Release Date: July 31
The blue little smurfs will come back to continue their adventure away from their comfort village in "The Smurfs 2". This time, the beloved creatures created by Peyo are swept away to the beautiful Paris as the evil wizard Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings new trouble to the smurfs' peaceful life. Instead of enjoying the amusing landscape in the City of Lights, Smurfette has to face new baddies, Vexy and Hackus, two mischievous Smurf-like creatures also known as the Naughties. To save Smurfette, Papa Smurf, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity will once again enlist the help from Patrick and Grace Winslow and their son Blue.
"Paranormal Activity 5"
Release Date: October 25
One of the most successful horror franchises in the world will spark terror among audience in theaters for the fifth time through "Paranormal Activity 5". Keeping the tradition to grace cinemas nationwide just in time for Halloween, this upcoming found-footage movie lets fans keep guessing what kind of supernatural force that haunts the characters. With the so many questions regarding what it is and why it appears in the characters' life, this movie will surely bring goosebumps and get viewers to the edge of their seats when watching it.
"Thor: The Dark World"
Release Date: November 8
Besides Tony Stark, another Marvel character, God of Thunder, is also on a heroic mission in "Thor: The Dark World". After facing off his adopted brother Loki in the first individual movie and "The Avengers", Thor will deal with a shadowy enemy, the Dark Elves ruler Malekith the Accursed that predates the universe itself. Chris Hemsworth claimed this second installment would be "a lot bigger than what we did even previously" since it would explore all Nine Realms which will be presented in a realistic way, while further exploring Thor's relationship with his girlfriend Jane Foster and his evil brother Loki.
"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
Release Date: November 22
Hungry for more ruthless challenges in the Arena? "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" will put Katniss Everdeen in another kill-or-get-killed competition which will be twice more brutal than the previous round. After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, the arrow-wileding heroine finds her life put at risk once again in the Quarter Quell, a stiff competition with former victors that could change the fate of Panem forever. The action aside, this film will present an intriguing conflict as Plutarch Heavensbee sets up a revolution. Also not to be missed is the debut of District 4 heartthrob, Finnick Odair, who is played by one of today's rising stars, Sam Claflin.
"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug"
Release Date: December 13
Just in time for the end-of-year holiday season, Hollywood brings the continuation of one of the world's most favorite fantasy stories in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". After getting reluctantly recruited to go on an unexpected journey with the thirteen dwarves in the first film, Bilbo Baggins will finally meet his destiny to battle the fearsome and legendary dragon Smaug. The climatic battle between the titular hobbit and the fire-breathing dragon who stole Erebor will undoubtedly present more dramatic and intense sequence that may provide some of the answers to Bilbo's fate in his epic quest to the Lonely Mountain.
