The new year is almost upon us and there is a lot to look forward to in 2012. This could be one of the biggest years ever for the sci-fi and action genre, and us nerds at MovieViral are just as excited as anyone else. After the break, read each staff members’ list of their twelve most-anticipated films of 2012. You might be surprised by some of the results!
If you want to skip to a particular staff member’s list, just click on their name below:
Dan Koelsch – Executive Editor/Co-Founder
Nick Butler – Owner/Co-Founder
Scott Caldwell – Contributing Editor/Graphic Designer
Michael Lee – Staff Writer
Alex Gerage – Contributing Writer
Caleb Hamilton – Contributing Writer
Zach Oldenburg – Contributing Writer
Kristopher Stoltz – Reporter
Jon Burke – Reviews
Dan Koelsch
1. The Avengers – How can you not be excited for this? There has never been a superhero team-up of this magnitude, and considering how good the individual films were, this should be epic. Not to mention that I have complete trust of the talented Joss Whedon, who is directing. (May 4th)
2. The Dark Knight Rises This may top most people’s list, as it should. The first two films in this Batman trilogy were probably the best superhero films ever. I can’t wait to see how this ends. (July 20th)
3. Prometheus – The world of Alien is fascinating, so I’m glad that original director Ridley Scott is back to take us deeper. While they may claim it’s not a prequel, it’s hard to not to think of it as such. (June 8th)
4. The Amazing Spider-Man – While I don’t think the original series of films needed an update, the last one left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, so I’m excited to see this reboot. Andrew Garfield is a great actor, and I think this could be the year’s best use of 3D. (July 3rd)
5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – I’m not a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings series, but The Hobbit trailer even got me excited. That’s saying something. (December 14th)
6. The Cabin in the Woods – Again, in Whedon we trust. The premise looks amazingly complex and I’m a fan of Chris Hemsworth. (April 13th)
7. Skyfall – I loved the recent James Bond reboot, and I can’t wait to see Daniel Craig back in the suit. (November 9th)
8. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – I’ve never read the book, but these are two awesome things to mash-up. (June 22nd)
9. The Expendables 2 – The first one was just OK, but with the major additions, including Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme, there is no way I am missing this movie. (August 17th)
10. World War Z – The book is great, so this should be higher on my list, but some of the news coming out of the production is making me lower expectations. (December 21st)
11. The Hunger Games – I’ve never read the books, but the same goes for Harry Potter, and I really liked those movies. Plus, the overall concept is right up my alley. (March 23rd)
12. Chimpanzee – I know I’m the only one here with this on my list, but I love the DisneyNature film series, and I’ve always been fascinated with apes, especially Chimps. (April 20th)
Nick Butler
1. The Dark Knight Rises — I’m expecting this to be the greatest movie ever. Don’t let me down, Nolan! (July 20th)
2. The Avengers — Do I really have to tell you why? No, seriously, do I have to? I think you know. Well, I hope you know. If you don’t, I’m sorry. I’m not telling you. (May 4th)
3. Dog Fight — “What is this film and why is it #3 on your list,” I hear you cry. This film stars Will Ferrel and Zach Galifianakis, who play rival politicians battling for a congressional seat in North Carolina. It may not sound awesome to you, but it’s almost like someone asked me to pitch them a film, pick who I wanted to star in it, and then said “Ok, we’ll make it.” This would be #1 on my list, but I have a feeling it might end up sucking. (August 10th)
4. Lincoln — Consider 2012 the year of Abraham Lincoln. This film directed by Steven Spielberg staring the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jared Harris, Tommy Lee Jones, and James Spader. How can this go wrong? It can’t. (December)
5. Untitled “Killing Bin Laden” Project — Kathryn Bigelow was just starting production on a film about the NAVY Seals when President Barack Obama announced that the United States had killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. I’m excited to see the dramatization of the hunt of bin Laden hit the big screen in 2012. (December 19th)
6. Skyfall — I love me some Daniel Craig. And I love me some James Bond even more. Take the two, put them together for another Bond film, and just take my money. (November 9th)
7. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey — I was never a huge fan of Lord of the Rings, just because they were too damn long, but I respect Peter Jackson and his ability to make huge blockbusters while staying true to the original works. (December 14th)
8. Men in Black III — I love the Men in Black movies, so I can’t wait to see Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith reprise their roles for a third film. Let’s hope they don’t kill it, but based on the trailer, all should be well. (May 25th)
9. The Amazing Spider-Man — I’m not convinced this will be good, but it’s on my list nonetheless. I think the turnaround time to restart the series may have been too fast. Expect a lot of confused audience members when Spider-Man is Mark Zuckerberg’s friend from The Social Network. (July 3rd)
10. The Great Gatsby — I’m excited to see what Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan can do with this American classic. I expect big things. (December 25th)
11. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter — I know nothing about this movie except for it’s name. That’s enough for me. (June 22nd)
12. The Three Stooges — When the trailer for this film came out, everyone laughed at it… in a bad way. I didn’t, I thought it looked hilarious. Not only that, but I’ve never seen a movie based on a old television show that stayed as true to the series as this appears to. I’m giving it a chance. (April 13th)
Scott Caldwell
1. The Dark Knight Rises – Do I really need a reason? Didn’t think so. (July 20th)
2. Skyfall – Craig is the best James Bond, and I will fight you til the death should you disagree. (November 9th)
3. Django Unchained – I will watch, and want, anything Tarantino related. Wow, that DOES sound weird once you write it. (December 25th)
4. GI Joe: Retaliation – Trailer looks great. Needs to completely wipe out the last film from my memory. G.I. Joe is what I grew up with so I will welcome any adaptation of it. Except Rise of Cobra. (February 3rd)
5. The Avengers – Seriously? It’s Iron-Man and Captain America in the same movie. The same movie! (May 4th)
6. The Innkeepers – I want to be scared. I truly do, and I am hoping that Mr. West can do that for me. (June 29th)
7. ParaNorman – I love the music, the sound, the visuals, the everything. (August 17th)
8. You’re Next – I believe the internet, and everyone seemed to have a boner talking about this film, so I want in. I want a boner too. (TBA)
9. World War Z – Get the zombies while the zombies are hot. And just in time for the holidays. (December 21st)
10. 21 Jump Street – I’m old and I remember the show. That’s it. Now that I think about it, I might remove this from my list. But, for now it stays. (March 16th)
11. The Amazing Spider-Man – [Scott made a lame joke about Contraband being here instead]. (July 3rd)
12. Red Dawn – Typically, they make great movies into shitty films, so I’m simply curious as to what they can do with a movie that’s shitty from the start. REVERSE THE CURSE! (November 2nd)
Michael Lee
1. Prometheus – It’s Ridley Scott returning to a genre he redefined. Not only that, but it looks like another horror filled with the right amount of terror and gore. (June 8th)
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – It’s Peter Jackson directing another of JRR Tolkien’s work. Plus it wouldn’t be a cinematic Christmas without it. (December 14th)
3. The Dark Knight Rises – The final chapter in Chris Nolan’s vision of Batman. Bane, Batwings, Collapsing Football fields, Hijacking Planes Midair, Mutliple Tumblers, and Anne Hathaway looking sexy in a orange prison jumper. (July 20th)
4. The Hunger Games – I’ve read the book, it has all the pieces of a perfect movie. Think of it as a battle royale combined with every survialist movie ever. (March 23rd)
5. Brave – Pixar’s first fairy tale movie and female led one. (June 22nd)
6. The Avengers – The ensemble superhero pic three years in the making has finally come. Sure Marvel is the cheapest studio, and they may have lost a few of its original cast members and ruined Faverau’s reputation as a direct, but if it makes enough cash, Marvel will no longer be notoriously cheap…. hopefully. (May 4th)
7. The Amazing Spider-Man – The only possible reason that my superhero film isn’t any higher is because it is a reboot and an early reboot at that. I can’t make a hasty judgement based on one trailer alone. (July 3rd)
8. Skyfall – Ralph Finnes and Javier Bardem as James bond villains. Need I say anymore. Oh yeah no more of that terrorist organization Quantum either. (November 9th)
9. The Bourne Legacy – Though I liked Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, I want to see how a new story could be told, also the supporting cast is very interesting. (August 3rd)
10. The Master – A Paul Thomas Anderson Film about Scientology sounds great. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Laura Dern are a part of the principle cast, even better. (TBA)
11. Snow White and the Huntsman – Another dark twisted take on a fairy tale classic, and it looks like Kristen Stewart can act. Plus I prefer this Snow White over the one that Tarsem Signh is directing. (June 1st)
12. Lincoln – It’s Daniel Day Lewis as Abe Lincoln with a powerful supporting cast. Plus its being directed by Steve Spielberg, what more could you ask for. (December)
Alex Gerage
1. The Dark Knight Rises – In the end, there is just no looking past The Dark Knight Rises. I was floored by the latest trailer, and feel oddly at peace that the Dark Knight Legend will go down as arguably the greatest trilogy of all time. How are all cool kids saying it, “In Nolan I Trust?” (July 20th)
2. The Avengers – If I am calling The Hobbit “1b,” I have to call The Avengers “1a.” The project is just so ambitious, and more importantly, the culmination of many great Marvel films made in the last five years. I think Joss Whedon is the perfect filmmaker for the project because of the way he handles ensemble casts, and having all my favorite Marvel superheroes on the big screen together will feel very surreal. (May 4th)
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – An Unexpected Journey—The fact that this film is number three on this list says more about my first two choices than anything else. The Lord of the Rings franchise means so much to me, much in the same way the original Star Wars films affected the generation growing up in the late 1970’s. The announcement trailer was beautiful, and will evoke strong childhood nostalgia next December. Think of The Hobbit more like “1b.” (December 14th)
4. Skyfall – In my mind, Daniel Craig has already been in two great Bond films, but there’s an undeniable enthusiasm from Craig and new Bond director Sam Mendes about their approach for Skyfall. It’s proven infectious, as I think it has the potential to be one of the best Bond films yet. (November 9th)
5. Looper – Joseph Gordon-Levitt has become my favorite actor in part because of his role in Rian Johnson’s Brick, and the two re-team in this film about a time-traveling hit-man that also stars Bruce Willis as his older self. Ticket. Bought. (September 28th)
6. The Bourne Legacy – I never could have imagined supporting this franchise after Matt Damon and Paul Greengrass left, but director Tony Gilroy has strong connections to the trilogy and proved a competent director in Michael Clayton. The cast has been replenished with strong actors like Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weiz, and Edward Norton, and returns Albert Finney and Joan Allen. (August 3rd)
7. Prometheus – I actually think this movie may struggle at the box office, but I love thrilling, well made sci-fi movies, and Prometheus seems to fit the bill. The fact that it has Ridley Scott returning to his comfort zone and an excellent cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Noomi Repace, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, and Guy Pearce, and I think it will at least be a critical summer success. (June 8th)
8. The Amazing Spider-Man – I’m interested to see what this “untold story” is about Spidey’s early days, and how (500) Days of Summer’s Marc Webb plays upon his strength of strong character development in a new superhero environment. (July 3rd)
9. Lincoln – This lands on the list for the set photos of Daniel Day-Lewis alone, but I really look forward to seeing what Steven Spielberg does with a project he has seemingly spent years planning and hoping to make. Jared Harris as Ulysses S. Grant should be a joy to watch as well. (December)
10. John Carter – I like what I have seen from the trailers thus far, and am actually more intrigued by director Andrew Stanton’s handling of the scenes on Earth, which have been largely absent from the film’s marketing. He’s too stellar a storyteller for this to disappoint. (March 9th)
11. Wettest County – John Hillcoat is a solid director. The Proposition was a strong debut, and I felt The Road was wrongly overlooked during awards season in 2009. With a cast that includes Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, and Guy Pearce, I think it can be an early year awards contender next year. (April 20th)
12. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – I have not read the book it is based on, but have heard some very positive buzz. I think Wanted was pure popcorn entertainment, and expect the same from Timur Bekmambetov’s follow up. (June 22nd)
Caleb Hamilton
1. The Avengers – Come on, it’s The Avengers. Everyone has been waiting 4 years for this movie. This one has to be on the top of everyone’s most anticipated list. The footage I’ve seen looks great and Marvel has yet to let me down. (May 4th)
2. The Dark Knight Rises – Do I really need to explain why this is on my list? I was wowed by the opening sequence, but had trouble understanding Bane (mostly everyone did). Mr. Nolan must have a reason for making him sound that way. We’ll find out in July… (July 20th)
3. Prometheus – Ridley Scott is back directing a film in the genre he helped define. They say this isn’t “Alien”, that it takes place in the same universe. I hope this is just a rouse to keep the secret safe (they’ve done a great job so far). (June 8th)
4. The Amazing Spider-Man – I was a little hesitant about this film. Then I saw the teaser and the POV shot hooked me. Plus Spidey is my favorite superhero. (July 3rd)
5. Chronicle – A found-footage type of film featuring dudes with mysterious super powers? Who would not want to see this movie? (February 3rd)
6. Snow White and the Huntsman – When I heard that there were TWO Snow White movies coming out this year, I was like, “lolwut?” But then I saw the trailer for Snow White and the Huntsman and it looks pretty badass! I don’t know if Kristen Stewart knows how to look the least bit interested in anything. I don’t care, I think that permanent gaze of disinterest is…kinda hot. (June 1st)
7. Skyfall – I wasn’t really into the 007 films until I saw “Casino Royale”, Daniel Craig is just great in the role. I’m looking forward to seeing where they take James Bond after the snoozefest “Quantum of Solace.” Hopefully this one is better. (November 9th
8. The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey – Like everyone else, I’ve been waiting to see this film for a very long time. I may be more excited about the film being shot in 48 fps 3D than the actual film itself! (December 14th)
9. Premium Rush – When a mysterious package ends up in a NYC bike messenger’s hands, a dirty cop will stop at nothing to find out its contents. I got a premium rush of adrenaline just from the trailer! (August 24th)
10. The Great Gatsby – I read the book in high school and saw the older version of the film adaptation starring Robert Redford as Jay Gatsby. I like Baz Lurhman’s directorial style so I’m very interested in seeing what he does with this classic tale of the tragic hero. (December 25th)
11. Les Miserables – Les Miserables is one of my top 5 favorite musicals and I’m very excited that they are finally releasing an adaptation of it. Hopefully Tom Hooper doesn’t bungle this like Joel Schumacher bungled “The Phantom of the Opera” back in 2004. (December 7th)
12. Looper – I’m looking forward to this film because it’s an interesting concept. A contract killer carrying out hits on people sent from the future finds out that he has to kill his future self. Does he do it? (I just realized that this is the thrid film on this list that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in). (September 28th)
Zach Oldenburg
1. The Dark Knight Rises – If this film can even slightly bring back some of the feelings I had when I was watching The Dark Knight in theaters, then it’s worth the number one spot in my book. I believe in Christopher Nolan. (July 20th)
2. The Amazing Spider-Man – A darker spin on the classic Spider-Man tale? Count me in. Plus, with Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker, and Marc Webb directing, I see no reason why not to be excited as all hell. (July 3rd)
3. The Avengers – Have we finally reached the time to unleash the multi-film story arc that’s four years in the making? You bet. With a cast like Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, and the newest addition, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, then there’s no way I would turn the price of the ticket to an epic of this caliber. (May 4th)
4. Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie – Read the title. Enough said. (March 3rd)
5. Dog Fight – Comedic genius Zach Galifianakis teams up with comedic genius Will Ferrell for a political comedy set in the South. Say that out loud. Sounds amazing, right? Now throw Dan Aykroyd into the mix. I’m there. (August 10th)
6. American Reunion – It’s been almost 9-years since we left East Great Falls, but I’m so ready to be back. Especially since the hilarious duo behind Harold and Kumar served as writer and directors. (April 6th)
7. Neighborhood Watch – Akiva Schaffer (The Lonely Island, SNL) directing Jonah Hill, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Richard Ayode as fathers that form a neighborhood watch to drink beer and smoke? it’s also a conspiracy theory with aliens? Wow, yes please. (July 27th)
8. You’re Next – This home invasion film has been buzzing since it’s premiere at TIFF, and I’m more then ready for it’s release. Think ‘The Strangers’ but if they carried shotguns, were all-men terrorizers, and they each wore animal masks. (TBA)
9. High School – I’ve been waiting for this film for almost two years now. It’s amazingly hilarious plot is about how the news of a school wide drug test threatens the reputation of the valedictorian after he smoked weed for the first time with some friends. What’s plan does his have to get out alive? He attempts to get the entire school to flunk the drug test with the help of a stolen suitcase full of weed. (TBA, Video)
10. Wanderlust – Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Malin Akerman, and Joe La Truglia in a comedy about a nudist colony from David Wain (Role Models, Wet Hot American Summer) is a dream come true for me. (February 24th)
11. I Hate You, Dad – How can you go wrong with Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg as father and son? Plus, if it gets an R-Rating, then maybe we can get Adam Sandler back over to the dark side. (June 15th)
12. Project X – The super secret, no name high school party film from producer Todd Phillips should be epic, if the trailer is anything like the final product. (March 2nd)
Kristopher Stoltz
1. The Avengers – The reason why I look forward more for The Avengers and not The Dark Knight Rises is because I can trust Nolan. Avengers, however, looks to epic for it’s own good. (May 4th)
2. The Dark Knight Rises – I’m really just hoping for a topless Anne Hathaway scene and Bane breaking Batman’s back. I don’t want to make my expectations to high. (July 20th)
3. Prometheus – Ridley Scott is back to his roots, and it will be his biggest challenge yet. Should he fail, it will be a sad sad day for cinema. (June 8th)
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 – So I can finally see Part 1. I refuse to pay to watch the Twilight movies but I still get a good laugh from seeing them. (November 16th)
5. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – The first sucked, but the character is good enough for me. (February 17th)
6. Battleship – As far as I can tell, there is barely any relationship between the board game and the movie besides the Navy being badass. Plus, Liam neeson can do no wrong. (May 18th)
7. Brave – Let’s see how Pixar handles a fairy tale. (June 22nd)
8. Beauty and The Beast 3D – Only because of the Tangled Short. Can you blame me? (January 13th)
9. The Amazing Spider-Man – Sorry to sound like a typical comic book fan, but a gritty, short, skinny, dark, and just not funny spider-man is not my cup of tea. (July 3rd)
10. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – One of the greatest trilogy;s of all time is getting prequels with even more comical characters. Peter Jackson, don’t you dare… (December 14th)
11. The Hunger Games – Only because it keeps popping up in my tumblr’s “District 9” tag. I’ll root for whatever District 9 is in that movie. (March 23rd)
12. Piranha 3DD – As much as I try to avoid it this series keeps following me. I might as well give in. (TBA)
Jon Burke
1. The Dark Knight Rises – Duh. (July 20th)
2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Peter Jackson’s LOTR Trilogy has shamed every epic franchise since with its brilliant direction, acting and effects. The reunion of most of the original cast, with the addition of the eminently appealing Martin Freeman as young Bilbo, under Jackson’s deft direction is the formula for greatness. (December 14th)
3. Prometheus – Ridley Scott returning (sort of) to a franchise he created offers tantalizing possibilities for anyone who enjoyed Alien, his masterful 1979 original haunted-house-in-space. The cast is a stellar group of lesser-known actors, much like the original, and while Idris Alba is no Yaphet Kotto… I guess he’ll do. Apologies to Stringer Bell fans – I just wanted to find a way to reference Yaphet Kotto. Yahpet Kotto. (June 8th)
4. The Hunger Games – This YA series of novels has integrity and real consequences i.e. an arrow through the head = dead. While there are undercurrents of romance and confused teenage angst the story is also brutal, timely and gripping. Plus Jennifer Lawrence is arguably the most talented (and gorgeous) young actress working today… There is a lot of potential in The Hunger Games. (March 23rd)
5. Django Unchained – The QT detractors will moan about historical accuracy and violence and miss the point. The QT lovers will claim it to be yet another flawless masterpiece and miss the point. The rest of us will be thoroughly entertained by Tarantino’s usual blend of unique, offensive homage to the films and filmmakers he loves featuring dialog that few screen scribes could match. (December 25th)
6. World War Z – A travelogue of the zombie apocalypse with Brad Pitt as your guide and the usually competent Marc Forster behind the camera. (December 21st)
7. Looper – Rian Johnson’s Brick was brilliant. The Brothers Bloom had its moments. For the uninitiated Johnson writes punchy dialog and his stories are unique and engaging. This is a film about a time traveling hitman, starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, charged with the unfortunate task of killing his future self. (September 28th)
8. The Cabin In The Woods – Joss Whedon + horror/sci-fi = something I want to see. (April 13th)
9. Brave – From the look of the trailer alone this appears to be the best film Pixar has made – in terms of animation. Hopefully the story of an adventurous ginger-girl in a mystical land will match the visuals. (June 22nd)
10. Moonrise Kingdom – Wes Anderson’s diorama-like films are playful, character-driven, family-affairs in that Anderson’s talented core group (The Wilson Brothers, Bill Murray, Angelica Houston and Seymour Cassel to name a few) often return to star in his sequential films. Moonrise Kingdom appears to continue this trend telling a story set in 1960s New England about young lovers on-the-run with their parents in hot pursuit. (May 25th)
11. Wreck-It Ralph – Another Pixar film on the list but, unlike Brave, this one sparks my curiosity due to its plot. John C. Reilly voices an 8-bit video-game baddie known as Wreck-It Ralph. Having grown tired of his reputation Ralph wishes to be known as a good guy and sets about trying to do-right. His journey takes him through other games both old and new. Pac-Man ghosts and Kano from Mortal Kombat guest star in this gamer’s delight. (November 12th)
12. Dog Fight – Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis as rival candidates for a North Carolina Congressional seat… ’nuff said. (August 10th)
Let us know in the comments below which films YOU are most anticipating for next year!