After a calamitous summer, Sony has nowhere to go but up and forward. And so the studio has revealed the release dates for its slate through 2017. While most of what the studio has in store is disappointingly and unsurprisingly male-centric and male-directed, there are still a few titles that we’re looking forward to seeing in theaters.
George Clooney recently spoke out about unequal opportunities for female filmmakers. Perhaps he was inspired to join the cause after working with his “Money Monster” director Jodie Foster. “Money Monster,” which Clooney produces and stars in, focuses on a TV personality (Clooney) who is taken hostage by a viewer. Julia Roberts co-stars in the drama, which opens April 8, 2016.
Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon will suit up in Paul Feig’s reboot of the beloved “Ghostbusters” franchise for a release date of July 15, 2016. McCarthy and Feig have proven to be an unstoppable force at the box office, so we’re predicting big numbers for “Ghostbusters” — hopefully even exceeding their success with “Bridesmaids,” “The Heat” and “Spy.”
Kate Beckinsale will return as Seline in “Underworld 5,” and for the first time in franchise history, a woman will be at the helm. Anna Foerster (“Outlander”) will direct the latest chapter in the action/horror series, which will feature a younger generation of vampires and werewolves battling it out. “Underworld” hits theaters October 21, 2016. The first four installments of “Underworld” preceding this one have earned a combined gross of nearly $500 million worldwide, and with a cast that includes new blood — with new, younger fans — “Underworld 5” seems destined to top the box office.
The sci-fi drama “Passengers,” one of the highest-profile projects on Sony’s docket, will reach Planet Earth on December 21, 2016. “Passengers” is already making headlines for the combined star wattage of Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt — and the fact that Lawrence will be paid more than her male co-star for the project.
“Resident Evil 6,” a female-driven franchise in the vein of “Underworld,” is slated for release January 27, 2017. Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter will reprise their roles for the sixth film in the series, which is being touted as its last. “Resident Evil” is the highest-grossing film series based on a video game. Alice, the female protagonist of the movies played by Jovovich, was created for the films, and what a lucrative addition she’s proved to be.
We’re incredibly curious to see how “Barbie” turns out. While we have reservations about a film adaptation of the frighteningly proportioned doll, Diablo Cody is at work rewriting the script for Sony. It will be fascinating to see Cody’s take on the mass-manufactured dream girl come June 2, 2017.
[via Variety]
