Five films to look forward to in 2015

2014 is coming to a close, and with 2015’s arrival come some of the most anticipated new releases. From new additions to everyone’s favourite franchises to the latest from some of the most innovative directors around, 2015 is looking set to be a great year for movie lovers.

Avengers: Age of Ultron

The moment we’ve been waiting for since 2012 is almost here: the Avengers are reuniting on screen again. Directed by Joss Whedon, the 11^th instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will see the eponymous heroes face off against a brand new foe, James Spader’s Ultron, who, if the trailer is anything to go by, will be the most terrifying yet. The Vision (Paul Bettany) and the Maximoff twins – Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver – are also set to be added to the ever-growing rota of heroes.

The bar’s been set high by The Avengers and this year’s Guardians of the Galaxy but, with such a stellar cast and an accomplished director at the helm, it’s hard to imagine this being anything less than a resounding success.

Estimated Release: April 2015

Jurassic World

The long-awaited fourth Jurassic Park film is finally on its way, and it’s not been an easy journey. Rumours of a fourth film have been circulating since Jurassic Park III, and since then the project has bounced between writers and directors until Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed) took up the reins.

Starring Chris Pratt, the film is set to pick up 22 years after the events of the first film with the park finally, and apparently successfully, open for business. But the film’s big bad this time isn’t your run of the mill dino: this time we’ll be introduced to a dinosaur hybrid cooked up by the park’s scientists which, presumably, doesn’t go well.

Estimated Release: May 2015

Crimson Peak

Guillermo Del Toro’s forte has always been the gothic horror and dark fantasy that made his name as a director, and his upcoming film marks a return to his roots. Set in rural England in the 19^th century, this Gothic horror will follow young author Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) as she comes to realise her new husband (Tom Hiddleston) is not who he says he is.

Though we’re yet to see a trailer, judging by the reaction to footage and props shown at SDCC earlier this year we’re in for a treat.

Estimated Release: October 2015

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

JJ Abrams’ hotly anticipated foray into the Star Wars universe is already dividing fans, but for the most part the film looks set to be a fantastic addition to the franchise. With a cast made up of older actors reprising their roles (Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher) alongside some of the most interesting up-and-comers around (John Boyega, Gwendoline Christie, Lupita Nyong’o), and with Disney expecting to use The Force Awakens for a whole new franchise, this is definitely one to look forward to.

Estimated Release: December 2015

The Hateful Eight

The road to The Hateful Eight has been a long and bumpy one, with a script leak in January leading to director Tarantino almost abandoning the project. Production is now back on track. The Hateful Eight will be Tarantino’s second Western after the critically acclaimed Django Unchained. Set in post-Civil war Wyoming, it’ll tell the tale of a group of bounty hunters who become caught up in a twisted web of lies and betrayal.

Production is set to begin in early 2015, and with such a first-rate cast, made up both of long time collaborators like Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell and Michael Madsen, and a few fresh faces, The Hateful Eight will surely be one of the most highly anticipated films of the year.

Estimated Release: December 2015

Natasha Furlong