5.6 Most Anticipated Projects of 2023

Similar to last year when I conducted and reported upon some the very most anticipated films of 2022, I shall once again be going through some of the most highly anticipated releases audiences should be looking forward towards.

Barbie

Due to release the very same day as Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, Barbies sees Greta Gerwig take the reigns of the iconic fashion doll. As written by Gerwig and her husband Noah Baumbach, the upcoming comedy stars an illustrious cast including the likes of Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. While the likes of Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, Dua Lipa, Simu Liu, Hellen Mirren, Michael Cera and Will Ferrell make up this star studded ensemble. With this 2023 iteration marking the first subsequent live-action film, after several previous other computer-animated direct-to-video and streaming television films. As while Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the seemingly safe haven of the perfect and colourful Barbie land. A journey into the real world soon embarks them onto an adventure as they discover and explore the joys as well as the many perils that living amongst humans brings.

Dune: Part Two

Following the critical success and acclaim that 2021's Dune experienced, Denis Villeneuve once again returns with the much anticipated second instalment. As Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya once again return along with a whole host of new additions, including Elvis' Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Léa Seydoux and Christopher Walken. While the likes of Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling and Javier Bardem return and reprise their respective roles from the first film. As set for a November 3rd release, Dune: Part Two foreshadows and follows Paul Atreides as he attempts to unite with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis and win the war against House Harkonnen. With Dune personally being my most anticipated release of the year, as the big screen spectacle represents an opportunity that moviegoers just simply can't miss. A factor made even more prominent when considering how such a second instalment wasn't initially promised, with it much depending on how the first film performed. Although following the film's success, and the fact that director Villeneuve intended to always see and produce the project as a two-part adaptation of the novel due to its complexity. It soon became only a matter of time until the sequel eventually got the green-light.

Succession Season Four

Although at the time of writing the season finale of Succession is about to air and by the time this post is published the episode and show itself shall have concluded. It still would of remained difficult, not to at least acknowledge the shows final season. As created by Jesse Armstrong, HBO's Succession centres and chronicles the Roy Family, the infamous owners of global media and entertainment conglomerate Waystar RoyCo. As family patriarch Logan Roy contests and sees his closest children and allies vie and fight for both control and power amid his very own health uncertainties. With the fourth and final season premiering on March 26th, details for which I shall be disclosing and exploring even further in my review on the show.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Following post 1.5 in which I initially detailed some the most highly anticipated films releasing in 2022, Killers of the Flower Moon in fact is now due and set for a release on October 20th later this year. As both Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio once again reunite, following their collaborations on Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf of the Wall Street. With this upcoming American Western Crime Drama directed and produced by Scorsese, seeing him also reunite with yet another long time collaborator in Robert De Niro as well as also the likes of Lily Gladstone, Jesse Plemons, Brendan Fraser and John Lithgow. Whilst written by Eric Roth and based upon the on 2017 nonfiction book of the same name by David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon centers around a series of Oklahoma murders in the Osage Nation during the 1920s, for which were committed after oil was discovered on tribal land. With Killers of the Flower Moon most recently premiering at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, were it in fact received a 9-minute standing ovation, as initially plaudits and critics lauded Scorsese's brilliant direction and the performances of both DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone respectively. As scheduled for a release in select theaters, before a later wider release, Killers of the Flower Moon will also be able to eventually stream on Apple TV+, although a release date is yet to be disclosed.

The Idol

While to also premiere at Cannes most recently is HBO's upcoming drama series The Idol, as created by singer, songwriter Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, Reza Fahim and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. HBO's most upcoming series centers and focuses around an aspiring pop idol played by Lily-Rose Depp, as her new complex relationship with self help guru and cult leader Tedros, played by Tesfaye soon unravels in a unpredictable affair. As idol Jocelyn soon resolves and aspires to reclaim her title as the sexiest pop star in America following a most recent nervous breakdown, for which caused her last tour to be canceled. With The Idol featuring in supporting roles an ensemble including the likes of Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Jennie Kim, Eli Roth, Rachel Sonnott, Hari Nef, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Ramsey, Hank Azaria and Mike Dean. With the series also marking the subsequent final television appearance of Anne Heche following her death earlier last year. Although the series, for which firstly premiered at 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 22nd, has gone onto receive and become panned by critics, with critics commenting and criticising the show for its graphic sexual content and themes. Something made even more prominent following a Rolling Stone's article, earlier on in the year for which disclosed how Levinson’s new show with The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp had reportedly "gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails". As thirteen sources allegedly told Rolling Stone of the drastic delay's caused by Levinson taking over as director and scrapping the nearly-finished $54-75 million project to only rewrite and reshoot the entire thing. With The Idol certainly seeming an intriguing and captivating watch as it get's set for it's scheduled release on June 4th.

Barry Season Four

While also similar to how Succession will seemingly be concluding, Barry's fourth and final season for which began streaming and premiered on April 16th earlier this year shall also, at the time of writing be concluding later tonight. As the dark comedy, crime drama created by Alec Berg and Bill Hader gets set to conclude following it's premiere back on HBO in March of 2018. As starring an ensemble including the likes of Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan, Henry Winkler, Sarah Burns and Robert Wisdom, Barry has gone to justify itself as one the very best comedy shows currently streaming. While after receiving critical acclaim for the most part due to the shows directing, writing, originality, humor, characters, and performances, fans have remained eager to see how the show concludes.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Following Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse's wide spread critical success, almost five years later it's sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse get ready to grace cinema screens once again on June 2nd. With the much anticipated computer-animated sequel, seeing Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson all partake in their directorial debuts. While Shameik Moore once again returns as the voice of Miles Morales with him joined by an ensemble including the likes of Christopher Miller, David Callaham, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya and Oscar Isaac. With Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse being one of the two sequels getting set to release in both June 2023 and March 2024 respectively, with the much anticipated third film, titled Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse still currently in development. Whilst another female-focused spin-off film is also in development, with a television series being considered. As Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse continues to feature it's strikingly bold animation style that uniquely combined it's computer generated effects with more traditional hand-drawn comic techniques. A style for which initially earnt the picture such widespread acclaim as critics commended the picture for it's animation, characters, story, voice acting, and humor. With the much anticipated sequel reconvening over a year after the events of it's predecessor, as Miles Morales is unexpectedly approached by his love interest Gwen Stacy to complete a mission to save every universe of Spider-People.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Directed by James Mangold, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny foresees Harrison Ford finally return once again, for one last hurrah as the legendary archaeologist and adventurer. With the upcoming action adventure serving as the fifth and final instalment of the franchise, while Ford in his final portrayal is rejoined by John Rhys-Davies who also reprises his role. As alongside them both, their joined by an ensemble of new cast members including the likes of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen. While Dial of Destiny serves as the first and only film in which is not directed by Steven Spielberg or nor written by George Lucas, as the pair serve in executive producer capacities instead. As Dial of Destiny, like a few others on this list, only just recently featured and premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, with the film going onto to be met with mixed reviews, as Ford was commended by critics and received praise for his performance and the film's sense of nostalgia, even although some felt the franchise had inevitably ran it's course. As whatever the case, this final instalment in the Indiana Jones saga is due to rightfully earn and be met with widespread anticipation and recognition, making it one of the most highly awaited films of the coming year.

The Killer

Now although details on David Fincher's upcoming neo-noir, action thriller are scarce and hard to come by. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker and based upon the French graphic novel series of the same name by Alexis Nolent. The Killer is set to star Michael Fassbender, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, Sophie Charlotte, and Tilda Swinton, as the film gets set for it's expected Netflix release on November 10th. With The Killer marking Fincher's lastest picture following his work on 2020's Mank. As most recently it has been reported, how in a private screening for Netflix executives, The Killer left the room stunned, something that shall only feed into the films intrigue.

Asteroid City

Following up to Wes Anderson's most recent picture The French Dispatch, is the highly anticipated, science fiction, romantic comedy-drama Asteroid City. As written and directed by Anderson himself, Asteroid City foresees and chronicles how in 1955, a group of students and parents, across the country gather for the scholarly competition, rest, recreation, comedy, drama, and romance at a Junior Stargazer convention held in a fictional American, desert town. With the film, similar to a lot like the rest of Anderson's work featuring an ensemble cast as he reconvenes and reunites with many previous collaborates including Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, and Jeff Goldblum. With Asteroid City also going onto receive and be met with initial positive reviews and acclaim from critics following it's world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 23rd, for which it competed for the highly coveted Palme d'Or.

Ferrari

Directed by Michael Mann, for who has often been most noticeably known for his work on the 1995 classic crime drama Heat. Mann's most latest of works is his upcoming 2023, biographical film Ferrari. As he details and chronicles the life of Italian driver and entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari, as he deals with family problems, amidst and whilst preparing for the 1957 Mille Miglia. With Mann and Scottish co-writer Troy Kennedy Martin adapting the Screenplay from the 1991 non-fiction book Enzo Ferrari - The Man, The Cars, The Races. With Ferrari marking the first subsequent collaboration between Mann and Driver shortly after Hugh Jackman departed the project and his involvement in February of 2022, with Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Gabriel Leone, Sarah Gadon, Jack O'Connell, Patrick Dempsey, Michele Savoia and Giuseppe Bonifati also set to star. As Mann and Driver's collaboration seemingly further looks to be taking shape away from the film as well, with it reported in April earlier this year that Driver was also in talks to play young Neil McCauley in Mann's prequel film Heat 2. For which he's adapting from the novel he previously wrote. While although in terms of Ferrari there hasn't yet been an official release date, it was reported during Sky's most recent announcement of original movies for 2023, that Mann's Ferrari would be featuring in the 2023 lineup as well as having a limited theatrical run.

The Bear Season Two

Following the critical acclaim Christopher Storer's The Bear received following it's release onto Hulu back in June of 2022. The streaming platform was quick to respond and renew the show for it's second iteration, for which is set to drop this Summer and will consist of ten episodes. With the comedy drama starring Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, Lionel Boyce, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Abby Elliott getting set to also add an abundance of new faces including, most notably Bob Odenkirk or as many probably know him as the criminal defender Saul Goodman.

Other Honourable Mentions

While although it was hard to condense such a packed release schedule into one post, there also some honourable mentions worth mentioning. With that being and including Christopher Nolan's upcoming biographical thriller Oppenheimer, for which wasn't included nor detailed further on the list due to post 1.9, in which I previously discussed at lengths the film and it's truly spectacular, supporting ensemble cast. Whilst also similar to how Christopher Nolan is once again returning to our screens, following it's fifth season for which debuted onto Netflix back in 2019 and a much lengthier, four year hiatus. Netflix's Black Mirror is also set to return, with the sixth series commissioned in 2022 and set for a June release later this year. As consisting of five episodes, all with their own distinct and separate storylines, the latest instalment of the British anthology series, get sets to star and add the likes of Salma Hayek, Aaron Paul and Annie Murphy to it's vast ensemble history.

Another film that is due to release and mark a return to it's franchise, following another lengthy absence, subsequently also happens to be The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. With the upcoming dystopian science fiction action thriller, directed by Francis Lawrence and based upon the 2020 novel, of the same by Suzanne Collins, serves as a prequel to the Hunger Games and marks the fifth instalment in The Hunger Games film series. As the film, set sixty four years before the events of the first film, stars Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Jason Schwartzman, and Viola Davis. Whilst another show returning and set for a release later year is Netflix's The Witcher. With the series consisting of eight episodes, spread across two volumes, one releasing on June 29th and the other on July 27nd. As the fantasy drama series staring Henry Cavill, Anya Chalotra, and Freya Allan heads and commences towards its major shakeup when Liam Hemsworth takes over the reigns of Geralt of Rivia in season four. While finally it would be hard to at least not mention Tom Cruise's return to the big screen. As following the widespread critical success of Top Gun: Maverick, the star gets set to return alongside Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Esai Morales, Vanessa Kirby, Pom Klementieff and Henry Czerny in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. With the first part of this two part act calibrating and marking the beginning of the end of the franchise, as Part two gets set to serve as Cruise's eighth and final appearance as the series' lead character. A portrayal for whom he would of played for over 28 years, by the time of it's release. As the upcoming action, spy film for which is directed and produced by Christopher Mcquarrie and serves as the sequel to 2018's Mission: Impossible – Fallout gets set for a July release later this year.

With this blog really on beginning to touch the surface, on just some of the films and shows coming audiences way during the second half of this year. As both television and film respectively keeps on having plenty to offer.