13 For '13

13 For '13

Well, 2012 was pretty enjoyable wasn't it? From mega sci-fi blockbusters like The Avengers and Prometheus, anniversary spectacles in the form of Skyfall and a certain fantasy adventure by the name of The Hobbit, the year of the apocalypse didn't fail to impress.

Now, however, it's time to (quoting Slade here) "look to the future". Here are 13 of the biggest movies hitting your screens in 2013 - a year that has a lot to live up to.

January

Gangster Squad

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone, Sean Penn

Release Date: January 11th

The pitch: Expect a severe vibe of vigilante classic The Untouchables mixed with Sin City as Gangster Squad bursts its way violently on to the big screen. Determined to take down notorious villain (and real-life mobster) Mickey Cohen (Penn), various officers and detectives of the Los Angeles police force become the "Gangster Squad". To protect the law, they'll simply have to break it. Gosling and Brolin lead the action with gusto, while Emma Stone is the femme with the fatale.

Also in January: Les Miserables (11th), Django Unchained (18th), Lincoln (25th)

February

This Is 40

Director: Judd Apatow

Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Megan Fox, Chris O'Dowd

Release Date: February 14th

The pitch: Remember Debbie and Pete, the ridiculously argumentative and typical couple from Knocked Up? Well, they've been given their own spin-off. After casting his gaze over topics such as unexpected pregnancy, cavemen and terminally ill stand-up comics, Judd Apatow is tackling the simple yet complex tale of marriage. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann reprise their roles as the bickering couple, while cameos from Knocked Up stars Jason Segel and Jonah Hill should ensure a barrel of laughs - if you can stand Leslie Mann's hysterical voice, that is...

 Also in February: Wreck-It Ralph (8th), A Good Day To Die Hard (14th), Cloud Atlas (22nd)

March

Oz The Great And Powerful

Director: Sam Raimi

Cast: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Zach Braff

Release Date: March 8th

The pitch: Ever wondered what happened before The Wizard Of Oz? Wonder no more, as original Spiderman trilogy director Sam Raimi brings to life a tale exploring the origins of the magical world. James Franco stars as Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician with big dreams. When he is inadvertently whisked away to the vibrant world of Oz, he finds an opportunity to not only redeem his questionable morals but to save Oz and its inhabitants from the evil forces within.

Also in March: Welcome To The Punch (15th), Jack The Giant Slayer (22nd), GI Joe: Retaliation (27th)

April

Iron Man 3

Director: Shane Black

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley

Release Date: April 26th

The pitch: Phase One of Marvel's cinematic initiative culminated in The Avengers last April, and Iron Man 3 kicks off Phase Two with a bang. With his personal and professional life under threat, Tony Stark finds himself back to square one. Backed up against the wall with no help from The Avengers gang available to him, how will Tony cope against the evil Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) alone? All the while he must finally answer the question which has haunted him for years - does the man make the suit, or does the suit make the man?

Also in April: Carrie (5th), Oblivion (12th), The Place Beyond The Pines (12th)

May

The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Cast: Leonardi DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton

Release Date: May 10th

The pitch: A must see for anyone suffering permanent states of confusion due to numerous Gatsby essays at school, this particular adaptation of the classic American novel sees Leonardi DiCaprio playing the titular role of Jay Gatsby. A mysterious man whose life is shrouded in secrecy, his acquaintance is made with a new neighbour Nick Carraway (Maguire), a World War I veteran who becomes increasingly intrigued by the life of the wealthy man next door. It becomes clear that Gatsby throws lavish parties in the hope that one Daisy Buchanan will attend - a beautiful woman who may hold the truth behind Gatsby. 

Also in May: Star Trek: Into Darkness (17th), Epic (24th), The Hangover: Part III (24th)

June

Man Of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon

Release Date: June 14th

The pitch: Produced by Christopher Nolan, this is DC's attempt to bring some credibility back to the Superman character with a 'dark re-imagining' of his origin story. The plot? Well, it's pretty much what you'd expect. Twenty-something journalist Clark Kent struggles to find his place in the world due to his extraordinary extraterrestrial powers. Transported to Earth as a baby while his home planet Krypton was destroyed, Clark grew up on a farm under his adoptive parents. However, when Earth is threatened by alien villains, Clark will have to accept his destiny as Superman and show the world who he really is.

Also in June: R.I.P.D (21st), World War Z (21st), End Of The World (28th)

July

Monsters University

Director: Dan Scanlon

Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Tilly

Release Date: July 12th

The pitch: Definitely absolutely positively not evidence that Pixar are running out of ideas, Monsters University takes us back in time to when the Mike Wazowski and Sully, the stars of Monsters Inc, were students learning the tricks of the scaring trade. Initially enemies, Mike and Sully attend the same college, however the movie will explore the circumstances regarding the forming of their friendship.

Also in July: Pacific Rim (12th), Kick-Ass 2 (19th), The Wolverine (25th)

August

The World's End

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan

Release Date: August 14th

The pitch: The final movie in the "Cornetto Trilogy" (which has so far consisted of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz), The World's End sees five friends reunite after twenty years to take on a legendary pub crawl. However, it soon becomes clear that reaching the 'World's End' pub may be the least of their worries as the apocalypse looms. Expect typically excellent humour and boomerang scriptwriting once again mixed with a hilarious British cast.

Also in August: The Lone Ranger (9th), The Alan Partridge Movie (16th), Insidious Chapter 2 (30th)

September

Elysium

Director: Neill Blomkamp

Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Faran Tahir, Carly Pope

Release Date: September 20th

The pitch: One for fans of the Gears of War video-game series, Elysium sees Matt Damon star as Max, an ex-con tackling a perilous mission on the scorched surface of a future Earth. The wealthy live on habitable space-crafts above the planet - the poor live on the Earth, stranded, desperate and alone. If Max succeeds in his mysterious mission, he could guarantee more equality amongst the survivors of the future, as well as his own freedom.

Also in September: Riddick (6th), Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones 3D (20th), Rush (20th)

October

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith 3D

Director: George Lucas

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Christopher Lee

Release Date: October 25th

The pitch: A re-release of the Star Wars saga's final live action cinematic outing - this time in 3D. As if you don't know, Revenge Of The Sith follows Anakin Skywalker's descent into the dark side, accepting his destiny as Darth Vader.

Also in October: The Delivery Man (4th), Oldboy (11th), Paranormal Activity 5 (25th)

November

Thor: The Dark World

Director: Alan Taylor

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston

Release Date: November 8th

The pitch: Marvel's Phase Two continues with the further adventures of Thor, the God of Thunder. Fresh from defeating his half-brother Loki in The Avengers, Thor (Hemsworth) has travelled back to his home planet of Asgard. However, he must battle to save the Nine Realms (including Earth) as a mysterious foe emerges from the mythic shadows. Confronted by an enemy that even his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) cannot face, Thor must reunite with Jane Foster (Portman) to find a way to defeat Malekith the Accursed. Alan Taylor of Game Of Thrones fame directs an all star cast in his big screen debut, so expect a mighty royal affair.

Also in November: Ender's Game (1st), The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (22nd), Frozen (27th)

December

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Director: Adam McKay

Cast: Will Ferrel, Paul Rudd, Steve Carrel, Vince Vaughn

Release Date: 20th December

The pitch: Little details have been released regarding the plot for Anchorman 2, the sequel to arguably the most hilarious comedy of the last ten years. Various rumours have surfaced, such as a custody battle between Ron and Veronica, a girlfriend for Brick, "racism being the new sexism" and, most bizarrely, Ron deciding to shave his moustache. One thing's for sure though - with all the original cast and writers on board, Anchorman 2 will definitely be the funniest movie of the year.

Also in December: Monuments Man (18th), Jack Ryan (26th), The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty (26th)

Movie Of The Year

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian Mckellen, Benedict Cumberbatch

Release Date: 13th December

The pitch: Bilbo's unexpected journey continues in part two of Peter Jackson's epic adventure through Middle-Earth. Whereas part one took a while to get going, The Desolation Of Smaug will take us straight into the action as Bilbo and the dwarves tackle wood-elves, giant spiders and of course the dragon himself Smaug the Terrible. Meanwhile, the White Council, led by Gandalf the Grey, launches its attack on Dol Guldur, a decrepit fortress where an ancient evil hides in the shadows waiting for its chance to seize Middle Earth - an evil which may prove to be very familiar. The sequel to one of the most highly acclaimed movies of 2012, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is the one to look forward to in 2013. 

You can catch reviews of all of these movies right here on Movies Under The Microscope. 

Happy New Year!