Movie List for 2009
Fanboys February 6
This saga of a group of Star Wars fans who make a pilgrimage across the country in 1998 to see Star Wars: Episode 1 The Phantom Menace before one of them dies, doesn’t have a lot of tie-ins, but it does celebrate fandom—and it is likely to be released with its “cancer” storyline intact only because of the concerted actions of fans who waged a ferocious Internet campaign against the senseless bowdlerization of the film.
Watchmen March 6
No film has sold more books than Zack Snyder’s adaptation of Watchmen—the trailer for the film ignited a sales explosion that is still rippling through the comic and bookstore markets where Watchmen has remained the best-selling graphic novel since July. Now that the Fox/Warner Bros. lawsuit has been settled, sales of all sorts of Watchmen merchandise could well ensue. The graphic novel’s ascendance will likely continue regardless of the reception of the movie (reactions to the trailer and footage released so far have been stellar, but the filmmakers did change the ending, so some uncertainty about the film’s prospects is likely to remain until after its opening week).
Monsters and Aliens March 27
Loosely based on the “Rex Havoc and the Ass-Kickers of the Fantastic” comics that appeared in Warren Presents in 1981, this Dreamworks 3-D animated feature has received a massive promotional campaign that will include Super Bowl spots It looks like it could be a Kung Fu Panda-size hit with loads of merchandising possibilities.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine May 1
With no other comic book superhero competition this film should do well and drive sales of X-Men toys and books. Wolverine remains one of Marvel’s most popular characters, and having him played by Hugh (“the sexiest man alive”) Jackman won’t hurt. Marvel has a number of classic Wolverine comic book collections that could benefit (particularly in the bookstore market) if this film manages to capture the essence of the Wolverine character.
Star Trek May 8
Can director J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost) revive the Star Trek franchise with a sharp young cast playing the characters from the original series just after they graduated from the Academy? There are lots of comic book and merchandise possibilities if this film turns out to be a hit.
Terminator Salvation May 22
This effects-heavy blockbuster franchise returns for a fourth go-round during a summer in which because of the writers’ strike there will be less competition than there has been in the past. IDW has comics while Titan has “making of” titles and both have a chance to do very well if this movie can revivify the Terminator franchise.
Up May 29
Up is the latest in a long string of original projects from Pixar. The premise of this film about an old man and chubby boy scout who end up exploring mountains in Venezuela, doesn’t sound too promising, but Pixar (Wall-E, The Incredibles) always seems to deliver and this 3-D feature could benefit if that format gathers steam as many in Hollywood expect.
Land of the Lost June 5
Will Ferrell stars in this comedy/adventure based on the goofy 1980s kids show from Sid and Marty Krofft. There will be comedies released this summer that will prosper at the box office as “change-of-pace” fare, though it’s by no means certain that this will be one of them–but a number of 1980’s “kids” shows like the Transformers have done well on the big screen.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen June 26
This sequel to the hugely successful first live action Transformers movie is likely to be one of the summer’s big hits and drive sales of Hasbro’s Transformers toys and IDW’s extensive line of Transformers comics.
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs July 1
The Ice Age franchise remains popular with younger viewers. It probably won’t be the #1 animated film of the year, but don’t bet against this film being a success.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince July17
Warner Bros. moved this surefire hit (and its panoply of related merchandise) to the summer to take advantage of the relative lack of big “event” movies in the summer of 2009.
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra August 7
Will this Hasbro property be able to replicate the success of Transformers? If so, there are plenty of comics, toys, and other merchandise available. G.I. Joe is, in many ways, one of the most intriguing releases of the summer. If it succeeds, prepare for another wave of live action versions of 80s cartoons.
Whiteout September 11
Whiteout is an adaptation of Greg Rucka’s 1999 comic book/graphic novel published by Oni Press. Kate Beckinsale stars as U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko who has to solve a murder at a base in Antarctica in just three days as the ferocious polar winter approaches. Word is that Whiteout is a very faithful adaptation, which could make for strong sales for the graphic novel if the movie is a hit.
The Surrogates September 25
Bruce Willis stars in this adaptation of the Top Shelf comic book mini-series by Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, a high concept science fiction saga, which just might turn out to be one of the surprise hits of the fall season and spur sales of The Surrogates graphic novel collection.
Toy Story 3-D October 2
Disney is re-releasing the original Toy Story movie in digital 3-D in what will be a test case for what could turn out to be a wave of reprocessed classic films. The Toy Story films are the most successfully merchandised of any Pixar releases, and a third installment in the saga is due in 2010. At the very least the 3-D release should keep the franchise’s seat warm.
Related posts:
- Alan Moore Finds ‘Watchmen’ Movie Woes
- ’300 DVD’ Tops Sales & Rentals
- Comic Sales Up in November
- How will WATCHMEN Affect Comics?
- Comics Up Again in July
