Pixar Goes Original Again, Post-'Endgame' MCU, and 'Jungle Cruise'
2020 Disney Preview
Disney goes without Star Wars for 2020. As the franchise goes on a theatrical hiatus. The MCU looks to start fresh post-Endgame with Black Widow and The Eternals. Disney's two animation heavyweights are releasing three original films combined and much more on Disney's 2020 theatrical slate.
We will be doing a speed round with the 20th Century Fox films at the end. This is so the main Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films are easily identifiable on the timeline.
Onward (March 6)
Onward is directed by Dan Scanlon (Monsters University). The film is set in a suburban fantasy world, as elf brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot go on a magical adventure to bring back their father for 24 hours.
The cast includes Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer.
Mulan (March 27)
The live-action remake of the animated classic is going a different route. Less of a musical and more serious. Mulan will be directed by Niki Caro (McFarland USA).
The film stars Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Jimmy Wong, Gong Li, and Jason Scott Lee.
Black Widow (May 1)
The first MCU film outing of 2020. Instead of taking us to a timeline after Endgame we will actually go to the past for the start of phase 4. We will see Black Widow on an adventure that takes place between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Even though the film is a prequel it's looking like Black Widow will have a major effect on the universe if it is starting phase 4.
The film is directed by Cate Shortland with a script coming from Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision) and Ned Benson. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz.
Artemis Fowl (May 29)
Artemis Fowl is directed by Kenneth Branagh, who also did 2015's Cinderella for Disney. Based on the book by Eoin Colfer. Artemis Fowl follows the journey of 12-year-old genius Artemis Fowl, a descendant of a long line of criminal masterminds, as he seeks to find his father, who has mysteriously disappeared.
The film stars Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonzo Anozie, with Josh Gad, and Judi Dench. The film also has a healthy budget of $125 million. The film was originally scheduled to come out on August 9, 2019.
Soul (June 19)
Soul is a brand-new, original Pixar film for director Pete Docter (Monsters Inc. and Inside Out). The film follows middle school music teacher Joe Gardner who has dreams of playing jazz live at the historic Blue Note jazz club but when an unexpected accident occurs Joe must find a way to return to earth before it is too late.
Soul's cast includes Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Questlove, Daveed Diggs, and Phylicia Rashad.
Jungle Cruise (July 24)
Jungle Cruise stars The Rock and Emily Blunt. The Rock plays a skipper Frank as he takes a scientist (Blunt) and her brother on an adventure in search of the magical Tree of Life. The film is based on the legendary Disney Parks attraction The Jungle Cruise.
The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. The rest of the cast includes Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, and Paul Giamatti.
The One and Only Ivan (August 14)
The One and Only Ivan is directed by Thea Sharrock. Based on the book by K.A. Applegate. The One and Only Ivan is a story about a group of animals who live in a suburban shopping mall.
The film stars Bryan Cranston, Ramon Rodriguez, Arianna Greenblatt, Indira Varma, Eleanor Matsuura, Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Brooklynn Prince, Helen Mirren, and Danny DeVito. The film is produced by Angelina Jolie, Allison Shearmur, and Brigham Taylor.
The Eternals (November 6)
The second MCU outing of the year is introducinng us to a brand-new group of characters and places. The Eternals were created by Jack Kirby but similar to when Guardians of the Galaxy not a lot of people know who The Eternals are. This film supposedly spans thousands of years. Marvel Studios CCO Kevin Feige even mentioned that The Eternals know of the Avengers, but the Avengers don't know the Eternals yet.
The film is directed by Chloe Zhao with a script from Matthew K. Firpo and Ryan Firpo. The film stars Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Kit Harrington, Ma-Dong Seok, Kumail Nanjiani, Salma Hayek, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Barry Keoghan, and Angelina Jolie.
Raya and the Last Dragon (November 25)
In the mysterious realm Kumandra, a warrior named Raya is on a quest to find the last dragon. The film is directed by Dean Wellins and Paul Briggs. With a screenplay from Adele Lim. The film will star Cassie Steele and Awkwafina.
20th Century Fox Lightning Round!
Underwater (January 10)
Director: William Eubanks - After their subterranean laboratory is destroyed, an underwater research crew must swim to safety. The film stars Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, and TJ Miller.
The Call of the Wild (February 21)
Director: Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch) - Buck, a St. Bernard/Collie dog is stolen from his Santa Clara home and sold to freight haulers in Yukon. The film stars Harrison Ford, Karen Gillan, Dan Stevens, and Omar Sy.
The New Mutants (April 3)
Director: Josh Boone - The troubled 20th Century Fox Marvel production is finally being released as it looks to be the final chapter in the Fox X-Men universe before the MCU takes over the characters. The film stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Maisie Williams, Charlie Heaton, Blu Hunt, and Antonio Banderas.
The Woman in the Window (May 15)
Director: Joe Wright - Agoraphobic Dr. Anna Fox witnesses awful events while she keeps tabs on her perfect neighbors. Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, Wyatt Russell, Brian Tyree Henry, and Julianne Moore star.
Fear Street (June)
Director: Leigh Janiak - A horror film based on R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Sadie Sink, Kiana Madeira, Olivia Welch, and Julia Rehwald.
Free Guy (July 3)
Director: Shawn Levy - A non-playable character is stuck in a video game world and he realizes the game is going offline soon. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Joe Kerry, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Taika Waititi, and Jodi Comer.
Bob's Burgers The Movie (July 17)
Director: Loren Bouchard - The plot is unknown but it will be a film based on the popular animated series.
The Empty Man (August 7)
Director: David Prior - A supernatural horror film starring Joel Courtney, Stephen Root, and Aaron Poole.
The King's Man (September 18)
Director: Matthew Vaughn - A prequel to the Kingsman series starring Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, and Djimon Hounsou.
Death on the Nile (October 9)
Director: Kenneth Branagh - A mystery thriller based on Agatha Christie's novel. The film is a sequel to 2017's Murder on the Orient Express. The cast for the sequel includes Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Russell Brand, Jodie Comer, and Annette Benning.
Everybody's Talking About Jamie (October 23)
Director: Jonathan Butterell - Based on the musical of the same name. The film adaption stars Max Harwood, Lauren Patel, and Richard E. Grant.
Deep Water (November 13)
Director: Adrian Lyne - Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas star in this psychological thriller.
West Side Story (December 18)
Director: Steven Spielberg - Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler star in a remake of the 1961 classic.
The Last Duel (December 25)
Director: Ridley Scott - Matt Damon, Jodi Comer, Ben Affleck, and Adam Driver star in the story of the last legally sanctioned duel in France.
