Mapping out your movie calendar for 2024? Allow us to step in and do the job for you. Here's your essential round-up of this year's comic book releases.
Be sure to return to this post for regular updates to the film slate.
- August 23rd: The Crow
- October 4th: Joker: Folie a Deux
- October 25th: Venom: The Last Dance
- December 13th: Kraven the Hunter
1. The Crow (released August 23rd)
IT star Bill Skarsgard steps into the shoes of the late Brandon Lee in this reboot of the gloriously Gothic graphic novel. The 1994 iteration of The Crow became infamous for Lee's accidental death on the set. This new version will be looking to escape the shadow of that tragedy, allowing the characteristically intense Skarsgard to disappear into the role of undead superhero Eric Draven. FKA Twigs co-stars as Eric's fiancée whose savage murder sets him on a course of vengeance.
2. Joker: Folie a Deux (released October 4th, 2024)
Back in 2019, the controversial Joker movie stormed the box office as it reimagined the Clown Prince of Crime's origins by way of Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver. The film won an Oscar for Joaquin Phoenix's intense and mercurial portrayal of damaged clown turned super-villain Arthur Fleck and it culminated in his incarceration at Arkham Asylum.
That's where we pick up with Joker: Folie a Deux (a madness shared by two), directed, as before, by Todd Phillips. The Joker sequel sows the seeds of Joker's twisted, symbiotic relationship with psychotherapist-turned-lover Harley Quinn, played here by Lady Gaga. The latter's presence is set to transfigure the new Joker movie into a singular and memorable musical, the likes of which we likely haven't seen before. As Gene Kelly and Judy Garland opined: 'Be a Clown.'
3. Venom: The Last Dance (released October 25th, 2024)
As mentioned, we'll be getting a sequel to 2021's Venom sequel Let There Be Carnage. The previous film's director Andy Serkis is out, replaced by Saving Mr Banks screenwriter Kelly Marcel who both helms and takes on scripting duties. Tom Hardy's bifurcated Eddie Brock will no doubt still struggle to balance his paltry journalistic career with the invasive, growling and mischievous Venom symbiote that has now permanently taken root in his body.
The strong supporting cast includes Michelle Williams, returning from the previous movies and now established as She-Venom, Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
4. Kraven the Hunter (released December 23rd, 2024)
Delayed from its original 2023 release date, Kraven the Hunter will introduce another SSMU anti-hero. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, a superhero veteran from the likes of Kick-Ass, will play the titular Kraven, a Russian big game hunter turned nemesis of Spider-Man whose tactical awareness and super-human strength make him an important member of the Sinister Six villain's collective.
You'll be aware that a Sinister Six movie has been on the cards for a long time now. The pieces are now apparently falling into place: Kraven's big-screen debut comes hot on the heels of Sinister Six member Venom's two standalone movies (a third is on its way – see below). And actor Alessandro Nivola is appearing in the Kraven movie as Sinister Six team member Rhino. Might we see a Kraven/Rhino/Venom team-up in this particular movie?
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