Keeping It In Focus Part Two - 12 MUST SEE films in 2018!

As a followup to my previous blog Keeping It In Focus Part One, here are the remaining six films that I just can't wait to see in 2018!

7. The Incredables 2:

Some films get bogged down with multiple unnecessary sequels, which is why it's so hard to believe that a film like The Incredables which was truly deserving of a sequel hasn't had one yet - After all its only been fourteen years since The Incredables first arrived in theaters!

But as my mother kept telling me as a child "Good things come to those who wait" and after fourteen years of waiting we're finally set to see the release of The Increadbles 2 on June 15th!

Although the trailer doesn't give much away, it does seem like this film will focus mainly on Jack Jack and his newly acquired powers. However regardless of the story-line The Incredables 2 is sure to be worth the wait as rumors have circulated for years that Craig T. Nelson refused to sign on for a second film unless the script did the first film justice!

8. Ant-Man and The Wasp:

When I first saw Ant-Man I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy the film - I was wrong!  

Where other Marvel films have focused on a dramatic story with small amounts of comedy to move the film forward, Ant-Man was much more lighthearted and comedic in its portrayal of Scott Lang - the would-be criminal who inherits the the Ant-Man suit from Hank Pym. 

An-Man solidified his place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he joined Team Cap in Captain America: Civil War - Now it's time for Ant-Man to return alongside The Wasp on July 6th.

In this new film we'll find Scott Lang seeking balance as a new father while still living up to his responsibilities as one of Marvels greatest heroes.

Check out the teaser trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp.

9. X-Men: Dark Phoenix 

I recently re-watched X2: X-Men United and as much as I like the film I can't help but reflect on all the missed opportunities that came after its release.

For those who have't seen the film I will say that the films conclusion set up what could have been an epic finale to the trilogy with X-Men: The Last Stand - except it was anything but epic!

Fortunately for fans FOX hit the reset button with both the release of X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days Of Future Past, now we might finally get the Phoenix saga we've been waiting for with the release of X-Men: Dark Phoenix which is due to release on November 2nd.

In this newest film Jean Grey develops Incredibly powerful psionic abilities that corrupt her and threaten to destroy the universe.  The X-men will be forced to decide whether one life is worth more then that of all the other living beings.

With the recent deal between Disney and 20th Century Fox it is all to possible that this could be the final film in the X-Men series, at least until Disney once again resets the franchise - Here's hoping Dark Phoenix goes out with a bang!

10. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald

When Warner Bros. released Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011, I like many others believed that this final film signaled the end of our adventures in J. K. Rowlings Wizarding World - fortunately we were wrong!

With the release of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them in 2016 it became clear that fans the world over had many more adventures to look forward too.

Not only did this new series changes locations from the Highlands of Scotland to the bustling metropolis that is New York, but it also took us back in time seventy years to the roaring '20's as it told the story of a wizard determined to protect some truly misunderstood Fantastic Beasts.

And as much as it is true that I couldn't help but point that Newt Scamanders suitcase reminded me of a TARDIS, I did generally enjoyed this new film.

With the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald on November 16th, we can look forward to once again returning to Rowlings Wizarding World, and to the return of a young Albus Dumbledore as portrayed by Jude Law.

Now all we need is for someone to adapt Harry Potter And The Cursed Child into a film and all will be right with the world!

11. Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2

I am both eagerly looking forward & dreading the release of this sequel at the same time.  On one hand I really enjoyed the first film, it was a well thought out story that used classic video games to tell the story of a arcade character who simply wanted acceptance from those around him.

Something we can ALL relate too.

On the other hand, unlike The previously mentioned Incredables 2, I'm not sure that this film warranted a followup, at least not so soon.

My fingers are crossed that this follow up will do justice to its 2012 predecessor when it releases on November 21st.


12. Aquaman:

I've been fairly outspoken in the past regarding Warner Bros. and their efforts to build the DC Extended Universe, that it to say that excluding Wonder Woman (and to a lesser extent Justice League) their films have been nothing short of awful!

So why is Aquaman on this list you might ask, it's either because I still have hope for the future OR like so many others I just like a good train wreck - I'm not quite sure which one it is yet myself. 

Regardless of which it might be, I'll be one of the many DC fans in line to see this movie when it releases on December 21st. Although not much is known about this new film, other then it seems like an origin story, with any luck it will represent a much needed turning point for both Warner Bros. and DC Comic fans the world over.

We Need A Win Here!

Once again this list represents the twelve films I'm eagerly waiting for in 2018, let me know in the comments below which films you can't wait to see this year....

As always thanks for reading, please remember to follow us on social media via CanGeek.com.

A Batman Beyond movie? Yes Please!

So much can change in so little time!

Just over a week ago we were talking about the on-going rumors that Ben Affleck was looking to separate himself from the DC Extended Universe, now Comicbookmovie.com is reporting that together with Matt Reeves, Affleck has signed on for three more movies INCLUDING the transition of Batman: Beyond to the big screen!

The sight has reported that:

"According to a Warner Bros. source Ben Affleck has signed on to appear as the Batman in Matt Reeves Trilogy.  Affleck will play the Dark Knight for three more films, with the last leading into a Batman Beyond film, which will also lead to the next phase of the DC Extended Universe."

With this being an unconfirmed rumor all we can do is hope, well that and try to figure out who the best person to play Terry McGinnis might be.

Let us know what you think in the comments below and remember to follow us at cangeek.com, thanks for reading. 

Is Ben Affleck out as The Batman?

Here we go again.

Rumors have once again begun to circulate that actor Ben Affleck wants out of the Warner Brothers "stand-alone" Batman film.

Although Warner Bros. studio chief Toby Emmerich was quoted as saying: 

"Ben is our Batman. We love him as Batman. We want to keep him in the cowl as long as we can"   

The Hollywood Reporter has stated that a source close to the films production has confirmed that the studio is working on plans to usher Affleck's Batman out gracefully, and will address the change in one of the upcoming DC films.

This has been a year of uncertainty for the films production, with Affleck first stepping aside as its director in January, and the rumors of his departure beginning to circulate shortly thereafter. It was also confirmed earlier this month that director Matt Reeves would not be using Affleck's script for The Batman, choosing to have a complete re-write take place instead.

Reeves told MTV's Happy, Sad, Confused podcast:

"No (we won't be using that), it's a new story. It's just starting again. I'm excited about it. I think it's going to be really cool."

With Affleck scheduled to make a promotional appearance at Comic-Con international in San Diego this weekend as part of the Justice League promotional event, could this be one of the last times we see the actor as part of the DC Extended Universe?

Can we really blame Ben Affleck for being disenchanted with the DC Extended Universe if fans feel the same way?

At some point in each persons life they can't help but wonder what it would be like to be the Batman?  Unlike the rest of us Ben Affleck can actually say he knows.

Four years ago Affleck was riding high with both a string of successful films behind him & the dark knights cape and cowl in front of him.  Although many fans voiced their concerns and displeasure via social media it was a done deal, Ben Affleck would be the next Batman. 

Warner Brothers and DC where looking to actively compete with Disney owned Marvel Comics for that all important box office revenue by jump starting the DC Extended Universe, and the Warner Brothers plan began with the 2013 release Man Of Steel.

Man Of Steel would tell the story of a much different Clark Kent, someone who had no desire to be a hero, someone who would be forced into the light when a vengeful General Zod threatened to destroy the Earth.

Fast forward three years to the 2016 release of Zack Snyder's Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice and we would be introduced to Ben Affleck as a xenophobic and resentful Bruce Wayne.

Having witnessed first hand the destructive power Superman was capable of, Wayne would make it his mission to end the Kryptonian before humanity was forced to pay the ultimate price.  In turn Clark Kent, who had now accepted his role as humanities hero, would make it his mission to bring the Gotham City vigilante to justice once and for all.

With the inclusion of Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and The Flash as filler, the climax of the film would be a more or less one-sided battle designed as a lead in to a yet to be released Justice League film and spin off titles for each individual character.

Warner Brothers had big plans however as the numbers came in it would be obvious that fans did not respond kindly to Batman V Superman.

Affleck's second outing as The Dark Knight would be a cameo five months later in the Suicide Squad, however not before Warner Brothers ordered a selection of re-shoots to address what they viewed as the missed opportunities of Snyder's Batman V Superman.

Unfortunately the numbers would once again reflect that fans had receive Suicide Squad with mixed reviews.

With both the Wonder Woman and Justice League films on the horizon things weren't looking good, however the decision was made to produce a stand alone Batman film with Affleck once again in the lead as both the star and the director.

However it was recently announced that Matt Reeves would take over the directors chair amid rumors that Affleck neither wanted to direct nor star in the film. 

Honestly who can blame him?  In a genre that has seen Marvel virtually unopposed since the release of Iron Man in 2008 its sadly conceivable that the creation of the DC Extended Universe came far to late and will be a difficult pill for consumers to swallow.

What we often forget is that in the public eye an actor is only as valuable as their most recent success, and with two failed outings in the cape and cowl already under his utility belt can we really blame this Oscar winner for potentially wanting out?

Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and remember to follow us at CanGeek.com .