(via Shutterstock)
The year might be winding down – yes, already already! – but there are still plenty of great movies to see.
Plus, of course, 2025 beckons and with it cinematic delights, or possible ones anyway, which we’ll get to after a brief break over the Christmas holidays to catch our popcorn-laden breath a little.
All three of these films scream big, fun blockbuster, and while a well-made epic film is always welcome, let’s hope they’ve paid as much attention to characters and screenplay as they obviously have to visualising wowing us.
Gladiator II
(courtesy IMP awards)
SNAPSHOT
Decades after the events of Gladiator, Lucius—the grandson of Rome’s former emperor Marcus Aurelius & son of Lucilla—lives with his wife and child in Numidia. Roman soldiers led by general Marcus Acacius invade, forcing Lucius into slavery. Inspired by Maximus, Lucius will fight as a gladiator while opposing the rule of the young emperors Caracalla and Geta. Gladiator II is once again directed by acclaimed British filmmaker Ridley Scott, director of many amazing movies including Alien, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, The Martian, Gladiator, Robin Hood, American Gangster, The Counselor, Matchstick Men, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, Kingdom of Heaven, Legend, Exodus: Gods and Kings, All the Money in the World, The Last Duel, House of Gucci, and Napoleon previously. The screenplay is written by David Scarpa; based on characters created by David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson. Produced by Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, David Franzoni. Made by Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment, P+M Image Nation.(courtesy First Showing)
Gladiator II opens 14 November in Australia and 22 November in U.S.
Thunderbolts*
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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“Careful who you assemble.” A world without Avengers doesn’t mean there’s not a group of superheroes. There is a group and they’re called the Thunderbolts. A group of supervillains from the MCU are recruited to go on missions for the government. Thunderbolts* is directed by American filmmaker Jake Schreier, director of the movies Robot & Frank, Paper Towns, and also Chance the Rapper in Chance the Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring World previously, plus lots of music videos & TV work including episodes of Brand New Cherry Flavor, Minx, Dave, and Beef most recently. The screenplay is written by Eric Pearson, Lee Sung Jin, and Joanna Calo. Based on the Marvel Comics Thunderbolts created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. Produced by Kevin Feige for Marvel Studios. (courtesy First Showing)
Thunderbolts * opens 1 May 2025 in Australia and 2 May 2025 in U.S.
Red One
(courtesy IMP Awards)
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After Santa Claus (starring J.K. Simmons as the Big Man) – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas. Red One is a big budget action comedy directed by American writer / filmmaker Jake Kasdan, director of the movies Zero Effect, Orange Country, The TV Set, Walk Hard: Dewey Cox Story, Bad Teacher, Sex Tape, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level, and tons of other TV work previously. The screenplay is written by Chris Morgan; based on a story by Hiram Garcia. It’s produced by Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, Jake Kasdan, Melvin Mar, Chris Morgan. (courtesy First Showing)
Red One opens on 7 November in Australia and 15 November in U.S.