There are a lot of movies coming out in 2012, but when looking at the slate of films, it is clear this will be a big year for guy flicks, and in particular those who love geek culture. From comic book movies to cult favorite directors and sci-fi/fantasy properties, there is something here for the fan boy in everyone.
Here are the Top 5 most anticipated geek culture movies for 2012.
1. “The Dark Knight Rises”
There are many superhero movies coming out in 2012, from “Amazing Spider-Man” to a “Ghost Rider” sequel, but there are two that stand above all the rest. The biggest movie release of 2012 for guys has to be the third, and final, addition to Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise, “The Dark Knight Rises.” The new movie features two popular comic book villains, Bane and Catwoman.
Christian Bale will take his final turn as Batman in this movie, which picks up ten years after the conclusion of “The Dark Knight.” The movie hits theaters on July 20, 2012, and hopes are high after the second movie in the series broke $1 billion worldwide.
2. “The Avengers”
After years of build up, it is time for the various heroes of Marvel Films adaptations to team together for “The Avengers” movie. This movie is the same big deal for fans of Marvel Comics that Superman and Batman movies are to fans of DC Comics. The movie combines the following franchises: “Hulk,” “Iron Man,” “Thor” and “Captain America.” Also in the film are characters seen in those movies, including The Black Widow (“Iron Man”), Hawkeye (“Thor”) and Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury. The movie hits theaters on May 4, 2012, and is directed by Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”).
3. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
After years of anticipation, Peter Jackson returns to the world of “Lord of the Rings” and releases the first prequel to his Oscar winning franchise. “The Hobbit” brings back a number of characters from the original trilogy, including Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Gollum (Andy Serkis) and teams them with newcomer Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. The first movie in the new series sends Bilbo and a team of dwarfs on a quest to recover a treasure stolen by Smaug, the dragon. “The Hobbit” hits theaters on Dec. 14, 2012.
4. “Django Unchained”
“Django Unchained” is a different kind of geek property and is aimed squarely at the film geek, and more specifically, those who love everything Quentin Tarantino. “Django Unchained” is Tarantino’s first movie since “Inglourious Basterds” and is a spaghetti western set in the era of slavery in the Deep South. His cast, as usual, is incredible with actors like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Kurt Russell and Jamie Fox all involved. “Django Unchained” hits theaters on Dec. 25, 2012.
5. “Prometheus”
There have been four movies in the “Alien” franchise, all with different directors told in completely different styles. Now, there is a fifth, a prequel, and Ridley Scott, the man who directed the original movie in the franchise, is back on board for this new tale. Scott has argued since the beginning that “Prometheus” is not a true prequel but a lot of information has leaked that says otherwise. Regardless, this is Scott’s return to sci-fi, an area he mastered with “Alien” and “Blade Runner” to start his career. “Prometheus” hits theaters on June 8, 2012.