Action movie fans have been rather short-changed in 2020. Many films in the genre have failed to meet their expected release dates, and many of those that have been released have failed to hit the mark. Thank goodness for Christoper Nolan then, and his mind-bending action-fest Tenet, which broke the mold this year.
2021 promises to be a more exciting year for those looking for something action-packed. James Bond will finally make his way to the screen after numerous delays, and Ethan Hunt, Neo, and a few new faces in the genre will be ing him. Let's take a closer look at the action movies coming our way.
The 355
Oscar-winning actress Jessica Chastain will be teaming up with Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Lupita Nyong’o in this original entry in the action movie genre. Chastain will be playing a CIA agent who s forces with a team of spies from around the globe to thwart a plot that could have devastating consequences for the world.
This globe-trotting thriller will be far more serious-minded than the other female-centric action flick, Charlie's Angels, but with the trailers' scenes of gunplay, martial arts, and rooftop leaping, it should be no less action-packed. The film is due to hit theaters in January.
The King's Man
Taron Egerton won't be making an appearance in this movie, and Colin Firth won't be present here either. Why? Because The King's Man is a prequel rather than a sequel in the Kingsman series of films, and it will focus on the early years of the Kingsman Agency.
Leading the Kingsmen will be Ralph Fiennes, and he will be ed by new recruit Harris Dickinson, as well as Gemma Arterton and Djimon Hounsou. The team of elegantly dressed (and well-mannered) super spies will be up against Rasputin in this movie, as well as a number of other criminal masterminds who have ed forces to wipe out mankind. After a few delays, the film should hopefully meet its new February release date.
No Time To Die
One of a number of big-budget releases shifted to 2021, the latest Bond film is now expected to hit theaters in April. Will it be worth the wait? All signs point to the positive, with an action-packed trailer, a star-studded cast, and quite possibly a few surprises, especially where Rami Malek's supervillain is concerned. Dr. No anyone?
The film will mark the final time we see Daniel Craig don Bond's famous tuxedo, and it looks like he will be going out with a bang. While many of the usual cast of characters are all present and correct in the new film, including those famous letters of the alphabet M and Q, there will also be a new agent in the film played by Lashana Lynch, the first-ever female 007. Will she keep this 00 status when Craig's Bond returns from his short-lived retirement? Find out next year.
F9
Do movie audiences really need another entry in this occasionally nonsensical action movie series? Box office numbers suggest yes, as this is one franchise that has proven to be enduringly popular. Be it because of the big-name stars in the film, including Dwayne Johnson and Vin Diesel, or the entertainingly fast and furious car action, people can't seem to get enough of the giant muscles and crazy stunts on display.
This time out, Vin Diesel's Dom Toretto will be facing off against his brother, John Cena's assassin, and he will be ed by many of the series regulars, including Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson. The film is a direct follow up to 2017's The Fate Of The Furious, which was the second entry in the franchise to hit the $1 billion mark at the box office. Buckle up, because this film should be crashing into theaters at the end of May.
Black Widow
To date, there have been very few Black Widow should make up for this unfortunate fact. It's a prequel, of course, as fans of the Avengers movies will know what happens to Scarlet Johannson's iconic character, but it will still be great to see her one last time.
The film is dated to take place after the events of Captain America: Civil War and will see Natasha Romanoff living as a fugitive. She won't be alone though, as she will be ed by Florence Pugh (rumored to be the next Black Widow) and David Harbour's Red Guardian, as they team up to take down the enigmatic masked villain, Taskmaster. After numerous delays, the film should hit theaters in May.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
With a title like that, you can expect barrel loads of action, so here's hoping the next Venom movie will be a good one. Not a lot is known about the sequel yet, but Tom Hardy will be returning as Eddie Brock, aka Venom, and after the reveal at the end of the last movie, Woody Harrelson will be causing carnage as ... Carnage!
Rumors persist that Spider-Man might make an appearance in the film, though these might yet prove unfounded. Kevin Feige hinted at the fact back in 2019, but fans won't find out for certain until June when the film is set to hit theaters.
Uncharted
It's a fact that Uncharted will also buck the trend.
Sony's videogame franchise is certainly one that is cinematic in scope, closely resembling the adventures of Indiana Jones. The games were action-packed and full of adventurous derring-do, so if the movie were to follow suit, there is hope for something entertaining. Fans don't have too long to wait for the big-screen debut of Nathan Drake now, as they will get to see Tom Holland in the role in July next year.
The Suicide Squad
flopped comic book movies that deserve a reboot, as the David Ayer-directed original did little to please fans of the source material the first time around. James Gunn will be at the helm this time, and as he has already proven his comic book credentials with Guardians Of The Galaxy, it is expected that this will be a better movie.
A new band of anti-heroes will be causing chaos on the screen when it hits theaters next August, including John Cena's Peacemaker, Idris Elba's Bloodsport, and Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher. They will be ed by a few old faces, including Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Joel Kinnaman's Captain Boomerang, and according to Gunn, they might not all survive until the end of the film.
Mission Impossible 7
Ever since the blue touch paper was lit way back in 1996, the Mission: Impossible movies have gone from strength to strength, largely thanks to Tom Cruises' insistence on performing his own stunts. From scaling the world's tallest buildings to hanging from planes, he has never failed to disappoint, and neither have the movies.
Not a lot is known about recent photos have showcased an intense fight scene between franchise newcomers Hayley Atwell and Esai Morales. Tom Cruise will be back, of course, running and jumping and doing all kinds of impossible things as Ethan Hunt, and fans will get to see him (and his team) in action in November.
Matrix 4
There are quite a high number of sci-fi movies that are getting people excited, including the Dune movie, but the release of The Matrix 4 might be the most exciting of them all. Both Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will be returning, as Neo and Trinity respectively, and Lana Wachowski will be back to direct.
In of story, not a lot is known about this sequel. However, the plot almost doesn't matter, as it's the action many people will be looking forward to, especially if it can match the special effects spectacle of the original trilogy. It might even revolutionize the face of action cinema again, as happened back in 1999 with the launch of bullet-time. Prepare to take the red pill next December!
