2015 Predictions and Watchbucket

The top 15 expectations of this upcoming year hold more franchises than previously thought possible. Some of them require resurrecting characters that have been dormant for decades. That coupled with the studios having finally [seemingly] learned to hand these franchises to capable hands puts us in for an epic 12 months. As I am partial to original stories, freshness tends to trump franchises but don't get me wrong, the expected quality between the top film and number 15 is relatively minimal. I expect all these films to blow me away.

1. Crimson Peak
Oct. 16
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro (Pacific Rim, Pan's Labyrinth)
Starring Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston

Because Del Toro is the reigning king of originality and weird. Let's see if he can deliver. 

2. Kingsman: The Secret Service
Feb. 13
Directed by Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, X-Men: First Class)
Starring Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson

Vaughn is only surpassed by Edgar Wright in on screen flare. 

3. Predestination
Jan. 9
Directed by The Spierig Brothers (Daybreakers)
Starring Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook

Time Travel and Ethan Hawke together at last.  

4. Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Dec.18
Directed by J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Super 8)
Starring Daisy Ridley and John Boyega

Those Raid 2 fellas may be the X factor here. 

5. Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron
May 1
Directed by Joss Whedon (Serenity, Much Ado About Nothing)
Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans

Well it's not gonna be a bad film, we all know that already. 

6. Jurassic World
June 12
Directed by Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed)
Starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard

Chris Pratt is the dude right now. Taming raptors and what not. 

7. Sprectre
Nov. 6
Directed by Sam Mendes (Road to Perdition, Skyfall)
Starring Daniel Craig and Ralph Fiennes

Here's hoping for more silhouettes. All of the silhouettes, please.  

8. Marvel's Ant-Man
Sept. 4
Directed by Peyton Reed (Bring It On, Down With Love)
Starring Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas

Contains bits of Edgar Wright, looking at Tin Tin, that has to count for something. 

9. Mission Impossible 5 
Dec. 25
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (Jack Reacher, writer of The Usual Suspects)
Starring Tom Cruise and Jeremy Renner

All signs point to Jeremy Renner having a big year. 

10. Mad Max: Fury Road
May 15
Directed by George Miller (Happy Feet, Mad Max)
Starring Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron

The trailer was out of control. 

11. Terminator Genisys
Sept. 4
Directed by Alan Taylor (Thor 2: The Dark World, Game of Thrones)
Starring Jai Courtney and Emilia Clarke

Too many good actors here. The importance of having Jason Clarke and Matt Smith mustn't be overlooked. 

12. Jane Got A Gun
Sept. 4
Directed by Gavin O' Connor (Miracle, Warrior)
Starring Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor

Mini Star Wars prequels reunion up in hurr. Because that's a thing we all want. 

13. The Fantastic Four
Sept. 4
Directed by Josh Trank (Chronicle)
Starring Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan

Much like Terminator, the pieces are seemingly very capable of making a superb film...fantastic even. 

14. Furious 7
April 3
Directed by James Wan (Saw, The Conjuring)
Starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker

Can't not be not good. Right? 

15. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Directed by Burr Steers (17 Again, writer of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)
Starring Lily James and Matt Smith

Long wait and it has that Matt Smith bump. Let's go Matt, break out of the Doctor's Shadow!

16. The Hateful Eight

Directed by Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained)

Starring Channing Tatum and Kurt Russell

After pairing off with the son for 22 Jumpstreet, Tatum is given the chance to share the same screen daddy Snake but the big draw here is literally everything.  

Le Watchbucket
Now we get to the films that are likely to be noteworthy and potentially excellent, therefore, in the lovely sounding Watchbucket. These may yet surprise and find their way to the top 15 of 2015 but for now, they sit outside the mountain. Apparently September 4th is a bit of tight fit.

Selma 1.9

Inherent Vice 1.9

Taken 3 1.14
American Sniper 1.16
Blackhat 1.15
Mortdecai 1.23
Jupiter Ascending 2.6
The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water 2.6
Hot Tub Time Machine 2 2.20
The Gunman 3.20
Chappie 3.20
Get Hard 3.27
Pitch Perfect 2 5.15
Tomorrowland 5.22
Spy 5.22
Pan 9.4
Inside Out 9.4
Ted 2 9.4
The Man From Uncle 9.4
Pixels 9.4
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials 9.18
Everest 9.18
The Walk 10.2
Vacation 10.9
The Martian 11.25
The Hateful Eight 11.13
The Peanuts Movie 11.6
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Both parts count as one!) 11.20
The Good Dinosaur, 11.25
Superman v. Batman PART 1 12.18?