The films of the future

While I don’t practice santeria; I do, in fact, have a crystal ball. And I’ve used it to gaze into the future and take a look at some of the films that’ll be coming out in the next couple of years. There are the bigger ones you might be familiar with like “Dune: Part 2” or “Mission Impossible 7,” but there are also a few others that may have slipped under your radar. Consider this your official preview for them.

Do we all remember that live-action Dora the Explorer movie that came out a few years back? Well, as is all the rage in modern Hollywood, the people over at Paramount are making a sequel/reboot to it. Only it may not be what you were expecting.

Taking place fifteen years after the original, this film centers around an older Dora, played by Gal Gadot, and her journey to find The Staff of Moses. Russel Crowe is set to provide the voice of a CGI-generated Swiper the Fox, and Andy Serkis, the king of motion capture himself, is penciled in to play the role of the iconic sidekick Boots.

The film looks to be a more mature and adult-oriented take on the title character with those involved describing it as, “a mix between Indiana Jones and John Wick.” With David Leitch, of “Deadpool 2” and “Bullet Train” acclaim, set to direct the R-rated feature; this outing could be one of the most over-the-top and violent action movies we’ve seen in quite some time. We’ll have to see if that’s the case when Dora (Yeah. Just Dora) releases in August of 2024.

I’ve always been a fan of films based on true stories. And come holiday season 2023; we’re getting a biopic you won’t believe is actually being made. On May 28th, 2016, a three-year-old boy fell into the gorilla enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. A male silverback named Harambe came to his aid; offering the boy both physical and emotional support.

For his efforts, he was shot and killed by zoo officials. Leaving behind a prolific legacy and an endless amount of memes. And now they’re making a movie about the whole thing. Yeah, you read that right. “All Gorillas Go to Heaven: The Harambe Story” will chronicle the events leading up to the tragedy and the fallout that occurred afterward.

Ryan Coogler has been approached to direct, and it’s speculated that Dave Bautista will star in the title role. Other actors rumored to be involved in the production include Woody Harrelson, Queen Latifah, and Mark Rylance. With the film releasing smack dab in the middle of awards season, it’ll be looking to earn some Oscars buzz. And with all the talent attached to it, there’s a good chance it will upon its debut later this year.

With the previous success of films like “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Detective Pikachu,” along with television series like HBO’s “The Last of Us” and the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie, we might be in the greatest era of video game adaptations ever! Looking to strike when the iron’s hot, A24’s going back to the past to bring us a film based on one of the oldest and most beloved video games of all time. It’s not Kirby, nor Zelda, nor Pac-Man, nor Space Invaders, nor… Burger Time? But instead; Pong!

Unlike the forthcoming Tetris film, which tells the true story of the game’s creation and subsequent exportation, Pong will tell an original story penned by legendary screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. The psychological thriller is set to be directed by Darren Aronofsky, who most recently directed the Academy Award winner “The Whale” and will explore the history of the two paddles as well as the origins of their eternal battle for supremacy.

How they’re going to tell a compelling story about two lines hitting a square ball back and forth is anyone’s guess, but I do know one thing is certain. I will absolutely be seated in the theater on day one.

So mark your calendars, save the dates, and keep your eyes peeled for these films and many others that’ll be coming our way over the next couple of years.