Michael Moran
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It’s an uncertain business, trying to predict next December's ‘Movie Of The Year’ list. This year, it’s trickier than ever, as the reverberations of the credit crunch continue to shake the capricious world of film finance. Even a minor hiccup in funding can delay a film for months or even years until a suitable release slot can be found.
If there’s an overarching theme to next year’s movies it's the 1980s. We have remakes of 1980s movies, adaptations of 1980s TV shows and videogames, even a new film bringing together the biggest action stars of that pumped-up decade.
Coincidence? Or nostalgia for a more innocent and less cash-strapped time?
Here are the films I think will attract the biggest audiences over the next 12 months. Other productions may be announced before the year is out. If you spot a winner I’ve missed, please leave a note in the comments.
50 Red Sonja
The most likely candidate on this list to slip into 2011, Red Sonja has, like her male counterpart Conan, been knocking around Hollywood for quite some time, with a star (Rose McGowan) and a script, but no firm shooting schedule. Current wisdom indicates an uncompromisingly adult-themed Hyborian epic with nudity, violence and swordplay. And, if brunette McGowan is still in it, wigs.
49 Red Dawn
The guilty pleasure 1980s classic is back. This time, instead of the rather implausible plot of teenagers fighting back against Soviet invaders, we have the slightly more implausible plot of teenagers fighting back against Chinese invaders. Captain Kirk’s dad (and future Thor) Chris Hemsworth leads the charge against those pesky reds, and former stuntman Dan Bradley steps bravely into the director’s chair.
48 Clash of The Titans
The 1981 fantasy epic comes roaring back into cinemas to infuriate Mary Beard and entertain those of us who maintain a sketchier handle on Greek myth. Louis Leterrier, who gave us the ‘good’ Hulk movie and helped shape the Transporter series assembles a cracking cast including Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson and Pete Postlethwaite to lend thespian authenticity to his freewheeling take on the story of Perseus. Sam Worthington is the suspiciously buzz-cut warrior who takes on Medusa and the Kraken.
47 Date Night
Coming across as a mélange of The Honeymooners and underrated 1985 comedy After Hours, this sounds like an efficient mid-table comedy until you take a look at the cast, which combines tireless US Office star Steve Carrell and Sarah Palin’s personal favourite, 30 Rock's Tina Fey. Ray Liotta and Mark Wahlberg are also along for what promises to be an hilarious, if sometimes downright uncomfortable, ride
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