Top 10 Upcoming Sequels of 2022
#10: “Jurassic World: Dominion”
Top 5 Exciting Details in the Second Jurassic World Dominion Trailer
Release Date: June 10, 2022 [U.S.] Most fans and critics would agree that “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” wasn’t the franchise’s best foot forward. Many felt that the film ended where it should have started with the dinosaurs being unleashed into civilization. That said, this cliffhanger laid the groundwork for “Dominion” to build something potentially original and fun. Rather than just have the dinosaurs attack cities, director Colin Trevorrow wants to envision a world where these prehistoric beasts are like sharks or bears. You’re not likely to encounter them, but when you do, must go faster! Whether or not “Dominion” delivers on this intriguing idea, at least the film is getting the OG gang back together with Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum… assuming their presence doesn’t boil down to glorified cameos.
#9: “Thor: Love and Thunder”
Top 10 Need to Know Facts About Thor: Ragnarok
Release Date: May 6, 2022 [U.S.] Speaking of Mr. Goldblum, the Grandmaster will return in “Thor: Love and Thunder.” Ironically, so will Sam Neill, along with Matt Damon and Luke Hemsworth. That’s just the tip of the thunderbolt, as director Taika Waititi is also bringing back Valkyrie, Lady Sif, and most of the Guardians. While time will only tell how large their roles are, the spotlight will most likely belong to Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster. In her return to the franchise, Jane is getting upgraded from love interest to Mighty Thor. As the title suggests, “love” will still play a major role in what Waititi describes as a romance. The question is who the romance applies to. Thor and Jane? Or will Valkyrie find her queen?
#8: “Avatar 2”
Top 10 Avatar Sequel Movie Facts
Release Date: December 16, 2022 [U.S.] Remember when we said that release dates were subject to change? Remember when “Avatar 2” was supposed to come out in December 2014? Fast-forward to September 2020, Cameron announced that “Avatar 2” finally finished shooting while “Avatar 3” was about 95% done. Cameron has two additional sequels planned, but all eyes are currently on “Avatar 2” to breathe new life into the franchise. Although “Avatar” became the highest-grossing movie of all time (twice), it’s been over a decade since its initial release. With such a long passage of time, can a sequel have the same impact? Well, we’ve doubted Cameron before and if the underwater mo-cap technology is as groundbreaking as he suggests, we’re more than willing to wait another year… or longer.
#7: “Mission: Impossible 7”
Top 20 Mission Impossible Scenes
Release Date: May 27, 2022 [U.S.] “Mission: Impossible 7” is another sequel that’s seen its fair share of delays, so much so that plans to shoot it back-to-back with an eighth film had to be scrapped. Even with the occasional setback or stern talk from Tom Cruise, we have every reason to believe that this sequel will deliver. You wouldn’t expect such confidence from a franchise with so many installments. “Mission: Impossible” has been on a roll for over a decade, however. Since “Ghost Protocol,” the series has yet to fall below the 90% critical threshold on Rotten Tomatoes. With Christopher McQuarrie back in the director’s chair and seven being such a lucky number, equally glowing reviews don’t sound impossible. How is Cruise going to top his last death-defying stunt, though?
#6: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About the Aquaman Movie
Release Date: December 16, 2022 [U.S.] When the DCEU went into development, Aquaman was the hero that we were the most concerned about. With the wrong casting and filmmaker, a solo movie surely would’ve floundered. When you have James Wan as a director and Jason Momoa in the lead, though, a guy who talks to fish suddenly sounds a lot cooler. “Aquaman” blew “Batman v Superman” out of the water, becoming the first DCEU to make over $1 billion. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” promises to expand the mythology and key figures like Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus. Considering that Sylvester Stallone is playing King Shark in “The Suicide Squad,” it’s going to be a real missed opportunity if the DCEU doesn’t give us an underwater “Rocky IV” reunion.
#5: “Indiana Jones 5”
Top 20 Awesome Indiana Jones Moments
Release Date: July 29, 2022 [U.S.] The first three “Indiana Jones” films were about as solid as trilogies get. Then “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” came along and “nuking the fridge” officially entered movie lingo. Fourteen years later, Indy’s dusting off the fedora for a shot at redemption. With the acquisition of Lucasfilm and the franchise’s distribution rights, there was little doubt that Disney would green-light a fifth film. Since Harrison Ford is approaching 80, will this be the true last crusade or will Indy pass the whip to a new generation? In any case, the series is getting some new blood. James Mangold of “Logan” is helming the project, making this the first “Indy” movie not to be directed by Steven Spielberg, although he will remain a producer.
#4: “John Wick: Chapter 4”
Top 10 John Wick Killstreaks
Release Date: May 27, 2022 [U.S.] Much like its titular character, this franchise is showing no signs of dying with at least two more sequels on the way. Given how many impossible challenges John Wick has survived, you’d think the series would’ve gotten stale by now. However, director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves have found a way to keep the franchise fresh while following a proven formula. With each entry, the plot and motivations are kept simple enough for anyone to follow. The filmmakers continually up the ante, though, with more ambitious set-pieces. The world of underground assassins is expanded upon, but still clouded in mystery. Most importantly, every film pushes John to his limits, and given everything he’s been through already, “Chapter 4” is gonna be a bloodbath.
#3: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”
Top 5 Facts about Black Panther (2018)
Release Date: July 8, 2022 [U.S.] With the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, many contemplated if 2018’s “Black Panther” should remain a standalone masterpiece. That film left such an important impact on audiences and Hollywood, though, that the sun can’t set yet. Given the state of the world, a “Black Panther” sequel isn’t just wanted, but needed. While Boseman is sadly no longer with us, his spirit and Wakanda will live forever, which this sequel’s title beautifully conveys. Nobody can take T’Challa’s place, hence why the role won’t be recast or digitally recreated. Instead, director Ryan Coogler and company will honor the king and continue what he started. With Shuri’s role being expanded upon, T’Challa’s sister may accept the Black Panther moniker, just as she did in the comics.
#2: “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”
Top 10 Things You Missed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Release Date: March 25, 2022 [U.S.] “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” isn’t just a follow-up to the 2016 hit. It’s also a continuation of “WandaVision,” picking up where we last left Scarlet Witch. The film builds upon plot points from “Loki” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” as well, making this an essential stepping stone in the MCU. Unlike most sequels, “The Multiverse of Madness” won’t simply retread ideas from the first film. In addition to expanding upon the multiverse, this will be the first MCU movie to dive head-first into the horror genre. Since director Sam Raimi has experience in both superheroes and horror, we’re getting the best of both worlds. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Marvels,” Release Date: November 11, 2022 [U.S.] Carol Danvers Is Getting Some Backup “Creed III,” Release Date: November 23, 2022 [U.S.] So, Any Chance of a Mr. T Comeback? “Sonic the Hedgehog 2,” Release Date: April 8, 2022 [U.S.] Yes, Knuckles Is In This One “Fantastic Beasts 3,” Release Date: July 15, 2022 [U.S.] Your Move, Mads Mikkelsen “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” Release Date: July 1, 2022 [U.S.] A Sequel to A Prequel/Spinoff in the Minions Mythos
#1: “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2”
What Will Spider-Man: Far From Home's Story Be About? – The CineFiles: Extended Cut
Release Date: October 7, 2022 [U.S.] As excited as we are for the multiverse, we’re even more eager to see what Miles Morales is up to. “Into the Spider-Verse” is an idea that shouldn’t have worked, juggling a variety of tones, characters, and styles. What many assumed would be a studio-mandated cash-grab turned out to be a passionate film that everybody threw their love into. Unlike some labors of love, “Into the Spider-Verse” paid off in box office and an Academy Award. This left the door open for sequels, spinoffs, and more. The first sequel promises another epic team-up, and we’re not just talking about more Spider-People. The directing team includes Joaquim Dos Santos of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” Kemp Powers of “Soul,” and Justin K. Thompson of “Clone Wars.”
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