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Prepare for a Christmas blockbuster pileup. This year the festive season is pretty sedate at the movies: 'Fantastic Beasts' is already out and 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' is coming, but that's about it for the big blockbusters. But all's set to change in 2018, when three massive movies all arrive within a month of each other. Block out your calendars now.
To be fair, the release of the long-awaited 'Avatar 2' isn't 100% confirmed, but the film's studio 20th Century Fox released a list of upcoming dates this week with a suspiciously untitled James Cameron movie in for Dec 21, so we're making a leap of faith. Cameron's sequel to his own tree-hugging sci-fi flick has been in the works for six years already, and is intended to be the first of three back-to-back sequels. But is there still love out there for the big blue hippies?
Produced by Peter Jackson (above) but directed by visual effects expert and first-time filmmaker Christian Rivers, 'Mortal Engines' is based on the books by Philip Reeve about a dystopian future of vast wheeled cities. If it can capture the grand scale and insane effects-driven action of Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' movies we could be on to a major winner.
And last but not least it's 'Fantastic Beasts 2', the already eagerly awaited follow-up to JK Rowling's excellently entertaining Harry Potter prequel. We already know the film won't be set in New York, and the filmmakers have hinted that loveable zoologist Newt Scamander won't necessarily be the main character (though his sidekicks Tina and Jacob are set to return). With Dumbledore likely to play a major role, could a return to Hogwarts be on the cards? You can just imagine the collective sigh of contentment across the land as those creaky old towers heave into view...
With Disney's giant-killing cartoon 'Gigantic' and an as-yet-undisclosed new Marvel movie also on the cards, December 2018 is looking rammed. Yes, it's a long time to wait - but we think it'll be worth it. And in the meantime, remember to keep an eye on Time Out Film for all the latest movie new and reviews.
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