As 2011's year in the world of entertainment has come to an end, many of film's biggest fans gear up for what 2012 has to offer. With the closing of an epic series about a certain capped vigilante and the beginning of what could possibly be the next "Twilight" in regards to fandom, the movie industry has high hopes for the year's blockbuster films. It's superheroes versus hobbits as epic action-adventures take over this year's prominent theme.
One of the first anticipated films to hit the theaters this February has actually already basked in the glow of box office history. Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is being re-released in 3D for a limited time. George Lucas, writer and former director of the saga, plans to release all six films in 3D, annually. Continuing with the futuristic theme, the book to film series "The Hunger Games" gives young fantasy readers a chance to live in this fictional world. Jennifer Lawrence stars in the film. She is best known for her recent role in X-Men First Class. The film portrays a post-apocalyptic type society where the known world has fallen and been rebuilt and organized with a powerful government at the helm. Two people are chosen from each of the 12 districts that remain and are forced to fight one another to the death. The book series has felt a similar reception to that of the "Twilight" novels, and the film hopes to see the same box office numbers as its vampire predecessor.
The summer kicks off the whirl-wind of superhero films, which have found their own place in the movie industry as a profitable genre. "The Avengers" is the first film to showcase its star-studded cast of superheroes that combines a variety of personalities from the world's greatest crime fighters. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans are just a few of the experienced actors whose unforgettable characters carry this movie. After years of back-story feature films on the main heroes, fans will finally be able to see this collection of characters join together in the fight of their lives. "The Avengers" is set to hit theaters May 4. Soon after, July brings us a "re-do" or "remake" of the Spiderman films, in "The Amazing Spiderman," which follows the comic-book it was based off of more closely. "The Social Network's" Andrew Garfield stars as the web shooting hero. This film swings into theaters on July 4.
One of the movie industry's most successful remake series will come to an end this summer for the masked vigilante we know as Batman. "The Dark Knight Rises" will conclude the three part series July 20, as Bruce Wayne is matched with his toughest foe yet, Bane. The final film will test Wayne as Gotham falls into the hands of the feared mastermind.
Wrapping up the later half of the year, 007 will be questioning his long time friend, M, in "Skyfall." This film will be released Nov. 9, just in time for the holidays. The remakes don't stop at the superhero films, but one of America's classic novels, "The Great Gatsby," turns to the silver screen as it ambitiously attempts to live up to the original this winter. The remake will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Toby Mcguire, to name a few. The film will be released December 25. And last, but not least , Lord of the Rings fans' prayers will be answered, as the book that started it all has been made into a motion picture. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" tells the story of Bilbo Baggins and his first encounter with the "one ring to rule them all." This film will serve as a Part one of two to complete the story. "The Hobbit" hits theaters on Dec. 14.
Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. (Captain America and Iron Man, respectively) star in one of the year's most anticipated movies, "The Avengers."
