Sony Pictures will attempt to revitalize the Ghostbusters movie franchise in 2016, having recruited writer/director Paul Feig (Spy) to direct a reboot of the supernatural action/comedy series headlined by stars likes Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. The studio has likewise been developing a number of projects that could potentially give rise to franchises, ranging from a film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower novels to a live-action movie based on the Barbie toy property.
The Ghostbusters reboot has now been moved ahead one week from its previous release date, to July 15, 2016 (where it will open against Ice Age 5). However, the far bigger news is that Sony has gone ahead and set official release dates for several noteworthy tentpoles and/or sequels, including both Bad Boys 3 and (unexpectedly) Bad Boys 4, too.
Here is a rundown of the Sony films that have gained new official theatrical release dates (click the respective links for more information about the films):
Money Monster – arriving on April 8th, 2016 and directed by Jodie Foster, the film stars George Clooney as Lee Gates, an unscrupulous TV show host whose program (the eponymous Money Monster) is taken hostage by an outraged gunman. Julia Roberts, Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito, and Jack O’Connell are costarring.
Patient Zero – arriving on September 2nd, 2016 and directed by Stefan Ruzowitzky, the film stars Matt Smith as a man who is able to speak with ‘The Infected’ – humans who’ve fallen victim to a zombie-like global pandemic – and set outs to find the ‘Patient Zero’, in order to produce a cure. Natalie Dormer and Stanley Tucci are costarring.
The Magnificent Seven – arriving on September 23rd, 2016 and directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film is a remake of the classic western about seven old-west gunslingers who’re hired to protect a small town from being exploited. The movie was previously set to arrive in January 2017 and will star Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Ethan Hawke, among others.
Underworld 5 – arriving on October 21st, 2016 and directed by Anna Foerster, the fifth Underworld installment will once again star Kate Beckinsale as the vampire warrior Selene. Underworld Awakening costar Theo James is reportedly going to return for this new Underworld movie, though official plot details have yet to be revealed.
Passengers – arriving in December 21st, 2016 and directed by Morten Tyldum, the sci-fi drama will star Chris Pratt as a passenger on a spacecraft headed to a distant planet, when his sleep chamber malfunctions and he decides to wake up another passenger (Jennifer Lawrence) to keep him company.
Jumanji – arriving on December 25th, 2016, this film would be a new take on the Jumanji property, which began as an illustrated book by Chris Van Allsburg and then made the jump to the big screen in 1996. Screenwriter Zach Helm (Stranger Than Fiction) is reportedly working on the script.
The Dark Tower – arriving on January 13th, 2017 and directed by Nikolaj Arcel, the film would be an adaptation of Stephen King’s first novel about the gunslinger Roland Deschain and his journey to find the legendary Dark Tower. No official casting announcements have been made, as of yet.
Resident Evil 6 – arriving on January 27th, 2017 and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the film will reportedly complete the story of the warrior Alice (Milla Jovovich) and her battle against the Umbrella Corporation. The working title for the movie is (appropriately enough) Resident Evil: The Final Chapter.
Bad Boys 3 – arriving on February 17th, 2017, the third Bad Boys movie would reunite Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as buddy cop duo Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, possibly with Joe Carnahan directing. Sony has gone ahead and scheduled Bad Boys 4 to reach theaters on July 3rd, 2019, too.
Baby Driver – arriving on March 17th, 2017 and directed by Edgar Wright, the film will star Ansel Elgort as a young getaway driver, who lands himself in hot water when he takes part in a doomed heist. Lily James is set to costar.
Barbie – arriving on June 2nd, 2017, the film adaptation of the mega-popular Mattel toy property is currently being re-written by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody. The film has yet to gain an official cast or director.
Uncharted – arriving on June 30th, 2017, the film adaptation of the popular video game property is currently undergoing script revisions, with Seth Gordon having recently stepped down as director.
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Let us know in the comment section which of these Sony movies you’re looking forward to!
