11. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I (December)
The Pitch... The first part of the last part of the Jennifer Lawrence lead fantasy book adaptation franchise. Heroine Katniss has escaped the definitely not at all Running Man style Hunger Games arena, and will be introduced to the mysterious, seemingly Utopian freedom of District 13, which may or may not be full of parkour-loving French men. Naturally, things won't be as clear cut as we all imagine, unless you've read the books. Or Wikipedia. Plus Points Jennifer Lawrence can pretty much do no wrong right now, and the first two films have been great (without ignoring that both were flawed,) and of course there's likely to be a devastating emotional moment at the end that will go down as one of the most affecting of the year, if it's done right. The Reservations... Splitting final books into two films is still infuriating, considering that's not how the author ever intended them to be read, and how it forces film-makers to over-manipulate dramatic points so they feel like an appropriate end to the film. Plus, there's the fact that Katniss pretty much gets sidelined in her own story for the first part of Mockingjay, so expect lots of grumpy standing around until the inevitable plot point that will definitely be the end of the first movie.
