Movies Features

Superhero Movies 2012: Batman, Spider-Man, The Avengers and Dredd!

By Anthony Pearson Jan 6, 2012, 21:13 GMT

Return to M&C's full 2012 Movie Preview.

Christopher Nolan return's for his third and final slice of Batman, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

When is it released? - July 20th US and UK.
Who does it star? - Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levit and Juno Temple.
Previous film/related film box office? - The Dark Knight (2008) grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, making it the most successful superhero movie of all time.
What is it about? - Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, the terrorist leader Bane arrives in Gotham City, pushing it and its police force to their limits, forcing its former hero Batman to resurface after taking the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes.
Find out more about this movie in our database here.

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No Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire or Kirsten Dunst as the web-slinger is given a new look in - THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

When is it released? - July 3rd (USA), July 4th (UK).
Who does it stars? - Andrew Garfield (Spider-Man/Peter Parker), Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Embeth Davidtz, Martin Sheen, Sally Field, Denis Leary, C. Thomas Howell, Chris Zylka, Kelsey Chow and Campbell Scott.
Previous film/related film box office? - Spider-Man 3 (2007) grossed 890 million dollars worldwide.
What is it about? - Typical teenager Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) embraces his incredible destiny after uncovering one of his father's most carefully guarded secrets as Columbia Pictures reboots the Spider-Man franchise with the help of director Mark Webb (500 Days of Summer) and screenwriter James Vanderbilt (Zodiac). Peter Parker gets the bite and becomes Spider-Man all over again!
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Marvel Comic's unveils the ultimate superhero team up in director Joss Whedon's - THE AVENGER

When is it released? - May 4th (US), April 27th (UK).
Who does it stars? - Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Tom Hiddlestone, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Stellan Skarsgard, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders and Clark Gregg.
Previous film/related film box office?
Iron Man 2 (2010) - $623 million worldwide.
Thor (2011) - $449 million worldwide.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) - $368 million worldwide.
The Incredible Hulk (2008) - $263 million worldwide.
What is it about? - When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and others to help save the world. “The Avengers” hits theaters May 2012.
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Found footage super hero movie in the Cloverfield mould - CHRONICLE

When is it released? -
February 3rd (US), February 1st (UK).
Who does it star? - Dane Dehaan, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly, Alex Russell, Anna Wood, Ashley Hinshaw and Joe Vax.

Previous/similar film worldwide box office? -
"Cloverfield" (2007) grossed $170 million.
What is it about? -
Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.
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Forget Sly Stallone's 1995 disaster Judge Dredd, British director Pete Travis looks to fix those wrongs with Karl Urban in DREDD.

When is it released? - September 21st (US), UK TBA.
Who does it stars? - Karl Urban (Judge Dredd), Lena Headey, Olivia Thirlby, Domhnall Gleeson, Deobia Oparei, Jason Cope, Langley Kirkwood and Francis Chouler.
Previous film/related or similar film's box office?
1995's Judge Dredd, though a critical failure, grossed a respectable $113 million at the worldwide box office.
What is it about? - Based on the popular 2000 AD Judge Dredd comic book character, "Dredd" is a brand new take on the futuristic law enforcer story.
In a dystopian future, Dredd, the most famous judge (a cop with instant field judiciary powers) is convicted for a crime he did not commit while his murderous counterpart escapes.
Find out more about this movie in our database here.