The blockbuster film season doesn’t necessarily conclude once the sun sets on summer. While the summer has seen modest financial success, primarily in the genre of animation, the Fall has a slate of releases that are also piquing expectations at the box office. Whether you’re an afficionado of action, or swoon at the congregation of a star ensemble cast or are merely vivified by the prospect of a well-produced remake, the Fall lineup of films beckons. Shake off the sweat of a sweltering summer and hearken to your nearest local theater. In this article, we’ll explore the most highly anticipated for the Fall 2024 calendar.
Joker: Folie A Deux
Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener, Jacob Lofland, and Harry Lawtey
Release Date: October 4, 2024
Synopsis: In the first “Joker” film, released in 2019, stand-up comedian Arther Fleck displays a gradual devolution from a well-meaning loner into a murderous criminal kingpin. The sequel to Phillips 2019 film takes place two years after the original events of “Joker,” as Fleck remains imprisoned in Arkham State Hospital awaiting trial for the deaths of TV impresario Murray Franklin and Gotham magnate Bruce Wayne. Over the course of the film, Fleck develops a strong affinity for musical therapy, while also cultivating a bond with fellow inmate and trainee psychiatrist, Harlee Quinzel, portrayed by Lady Gaga.
Buzz: The film’s title” Folie a Deux,” is French for a “delusion shared by two people.” The movie will feature original music, some of which was composed and written by Lady Gaga, herself.
Gladiator 2
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, and Derek Jacobi.
Release Date: November 2, 2024
Synopsis: Gladiator 2, as enumerated, is a sequel to the masterful original, Gladiator, initially released in 2000. Gladiator 2, directed by the same filmmaker as the original, Ridley Scott, follows the tale of Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by a Roman army. Forced into gladiatorial bondage after attempting to live a normal domestic life in Numidia, Lucius accepts the tutelage of Macrinus, a former gladiator, who opposes the rule of the two reigning co-emperors.
Buzz: The trailer includes a scene of the Colosseum being flooded to recreate a sea battle, an event which historically transpired in the outdoor arena sometime in 46 BCE, during the reign of Emperor Julius Caesar.
Wicked: Part One
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, and Keala Settle.
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Synopsis: “Wicked: Part One” is the first of a two-part film adaption of the classic Broadway musical known by the same name. Based off the characters first envisaged in Frank Baum’s 1900 classic “The Wizard of Oz,” the film relates the story of a misunderstood woman by the name of Elphaba, who’s largely been ostracized because of her outwardly green physical complexion. Unexpectedly, Elphaba befriends Glinda, a fellow witch who favors the limelight. After a portentous encounter with the great Wizard of Oz, the paths of the two witches increasingly diverge.
Buzz: The Broadway play “Wicked” is actually based on a previous novel called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” The author of that tale, Frank Maguire, concocted the name of the protagonist, Elphaba, from the initials of Frank L. Baum, author of the “Wizard of Oz.”
Red One
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt, Nick Kroll.
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Synopsis: In a reimagining of the mythology surrounding Santa Claus, “Red One” involves the abduction of Santa Claus and the ensuing search. A team, consisting of an ELF, or “Extremely Large and Formidable” operative and world-class tracker coalesce to discover the holiday hero’s whereabouts in order to save Christmas.
Buzz: With such a notable supporting cast, one would think the environment on set would be, well, professional. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s unpredictable behavior, however, reportedly cost the film an additional $50 million in production costs. Johnson, additionally, reportedly made a habit of “peeing in a water bottle to save time, upsetting crew members.” Whether or not urinating in a cup actually saves time is up for debate, but the atmosphere on-set was nevertheless reportedly suboptimal. Hopefully that does detract from the ultimate product that is released.
Beetlejuice 2
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenny Ortega, Monica Belluci, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux
Release Date: September 6, 2024
Synopsis: A sequel to the 1988 classic, “Beetlejuice 2” explores the histrionics of a perturbed family grieving after an unexpected familial loss. Three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River. Lydia, previously taken hostage by Beetlejuice in the original film, is still haunted by her experience with him. When her daughter, Astrid, startlingly discovers a mysterious portal to the after-life, the predicament of the Deetz family becomes significantly more unsettled. Very soon, Beetlejuice, the eponymous character, mischievously returns, causing undue havoc and mayhem.
Buzz: The movie promises to be faithful to the original, both narratively and stylistically. Commenting on the film, director Tim Burton noted: “I really enjoyed [the film]. I tried to strip everything and go back to the basics of working with good people and actors and puppets. It was kind of like going back to why I liked making movies.”
Nosferatu
Director: Robert Eggers
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Nicholas Hoult, Lily Rose-Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, Willem Dafoe
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Synopsis: Originally a graphic novel written by the incomparable Bram Stoker, “Nosferatu” has been adapted to the screen previously, in 1922. The new iteration of the film reportedly does not deviate too staunchly from the original storyline. Set in a Transylvanian castle harbored in the mountains, the ominous Count Orlok seeks to purchase a house near two particular villagers, Hutter and his wife, Ellen. Orlock quickly becomes obsessive over Helen, his passion made all the more dangerous by his inherent vampiric nature.
Buzz: Fans of the horror genre are optimistic that “Nosferatu” can revive interest in the vampire subgenre. With Dan Eggers at the helm of the film, it is has reportedly taken a more serious interest in vampire lore, distinctly separating it from the more romanticized portrayals of vampires in the past.
Venom: Last Dance
Director: Kelly Marcel
Starring: Tom Hardy, June Temple, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Peggy Lu, Rhys Ifans, Stephen Graham, Cristo Fernandez
Release Date: October 25, 2024
Synopsis: “Venom: Last Dance,” is a sequel to “Venom” and “Venom: Last Carnage,” both of which also cast Tom Hardy in the leading role. In the trailer, set against David Bowie’s anthem of “Space Oddity,” Eddie Brock, or Venom, is being relentlessly pursued by heavily armed forces under the direction of an unnamed military man. As the trailer progresses, a scientist, Dr. Payne, notably laments “We always knew it was impossible that we were alone in the universe…And it’s our job to make sure that remains a secret.” The trailer concludes on a somber note, with all the imagery signaling the arrival of an imminent alien invasion.
Buzz: While it is still mere conjecture, it remains suspected that the final installment of “Venom” will introduce new characters from Venom’s home planet, Klyntar. This could lead to further insights into the motivations and origins of the symbiotes that metastasized to create Venom.
Moana 2
Director: Dave Derrick Jr.
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Auli’I Cravalho, Alan Tudyk, Nicole Scherzinger, Temeura Morrison, Rose Matafeo, Hualalai Chung, Rachel House
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Synopsis: In this sequel film, Moana receives an unexpected call from her ancestors, once again beckoning her to a distant shore. Her travels eventually take her to the shores of Oceania, where she learns she must discover a hidden island responsible for the deluge of storms and inclement weather presently bedeviling the region. To complete her mission, Moana must once again summon her demigod friend, Maui, to outwit the machinations of a dangerous underworld goddess known as Matangi.
Buzz: Lin Manuel Miranda, writer and producer of the Broadway hit, “Hamilton” scored the original “Moana” film. His talents will unfortunately not be leveraged in the second “Moana” film. Instead, that task has fallen to musicians “Barlow and Bear,” who are responsible for the popular “Bridgerton” fan musical.
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