3. Marvel Films
Ok, so this is a little bit of a cheat, but I didnt want to crowd this list with Marvel films (or offend anyone who is Marvel obsessed). There are four Marvel films expected in 2014 so far (although only two of them have anything to do with The Avengers). I personally didnt really care for The Amazing Spider-man (but I know a lot of people who love it) so I wont slag it off on here. If you loved that film, expect to see it on May 2nd. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, expected April 4th, has a more difficult task ahead of it than Iron Man 3 or Thor: The Dark World. Unlike the first film, Captain America will be set in modern day, and so say Shield will play a larger role in this film than the other Marvel sequels. Samuel L. Jackson is expected to return, and Anthony Mackie will appear as Caps sidekick Falcon. Its good to see more diversity in the Marvel films, though Im still upset that they havent yet made a Black Panther movie. Also, unlike the other Marvel films, Captain America will need a new love interest seeing as Peggy Carter is now an old woman. Apparently Anna Kendrick, Felicity Jones and Imogen Poots are front runners for that role. Obviously expect to see Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier) back from the dead as James Bucky Barnes. Guardians of the Galaxy, expected August 1st is the Marvel film I am most worried for, but also probably the most excited for. Im going to admit, I dont know the characters all that well, so dont exactly know what to expect, but it looks like an interesting line up. I am particularly excited to see how they do and who is cast in the roles of Rocket Raccoon (a strange Marvel character on par with Howard the Duck) and especially Groot, an extra-terrestrial plant monster who eats wood. Hopefully they wont pick a wooden actor to play him. James Gunn is set to direct, a proven hand at comic book movies having had directed 2010s Super and written the 2000 film The Specials. Also, word is, Joss Whedon strongly approves, so I am very hopeful this wont suck. The other exciting film is X Men: Days of Future Past, expected July 18th. Matthew Vaughn and Bryan Singer return to direct and produce this, so if you loved the first one (and a lot of you did) then you are sure to love this. Its also based on arguably the best X Men story of all time, and rumor has it, more of Bryan Singers original X Men could very well return for this (time travel is involved). This film is envisioned as the second film in a trilogy, said to be as different from the first as Batman Begins is to The Dark Knight. Those are very big boots to fill, but I am very excited and have wanted to see this story on the big screen for a very, very, very long time. Hopefully it impresses.