2010 Films at a Glance

As 2009 comes to a close, we look ahead to 2010. 2010 can be seen as the year of the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genre in the film industry, with a new movie coming out every month. Here is a glimpse at what we have to look forward to, as outlined by Film-Release.com:

January 15 - The Lovely Bones starring Rachel Weisz, Mark Whalberg and Stanley Tucci, directed by Peter Jackson is the story of the Salmon family who has lost their daughter, Susie. In previews for the film, we hear Susie's younger brother, Buckley, tell their parents that "Susie's in the in-between." Susie must chose between her desire for vengeance against her killer and for her family to heal. Released in limited areas December 11 and scheduled for wider release Christmas Day, the Lovely Bones will receive nationwide release to theaters on January 15th.

February 12 - Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief, starring Pierce Brosnan, Uma Thurman and Sean Bean, directed by Chris Columbus, tells the story of a modern boy, Percy Jackson (Logan Lerman, Gamer), who discovers he's truly a demi-god, descended from an ancient Greek god. He also learns that he must help stop a battle between the gods. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightning Thief is based on the novel by Rick Riordan.

March 5 - Alice in Wonderland finally gets the Tim Burton treatment. With a star-studded cast, headed up by Burton standards, Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen, this version of Alice in Wonderland takes us back to Wonderland, with a grown up Alice, ten years after her original adventure. She finds that the Red Queen has taken control and only Alice can put things right. Mia Wasikowska (Defiance) stars as 17-year-old Alice.

April 16 - In the new tradition of classic horror movie remakes, Samuel Bayer has taken on the challenge of recreating A Nightmare on Elm Street. Jackie Earle Haley stars as Freddy Krueger and is joined by Heroes alumn Thomas Dekker and Twilight's Kellan Lutz..

May 28 - Jake Gyllenhaal joins the ranks of historical action heroes in Disney's Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time, pitted against villain veteran Sir Ben Kingsley. Mike Newell is in the director's chair and the sound effects in the trailer alone were enough to rattle theater seats.

June 30 - In June we return to Forks, Washington for the third installment of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which brings to Washington a new threat. A band of newly sired vampires under villain Victoria's control. Bryce Dallas Howard (Terminator Salvation) will be picking up the role of Victoria where Rachelle Lefevre left off, but the rest of the core cast remains. David Slade assumes the director's chair, previously occupied, first, by Catherine Hardwicke and, second, by Chris Weitz.

July 2 - Jackson Rathbone will be opening two movies in the same week in 2010. First, on June 30, the Twilight Saga: Eclipse, followed by The Last Airbender on July 2. Based on the Avatar animated series, M. Night Shyamalan brings the story of Aang (played by newcomer Noah Ringer) to the big screen. Jackson Rathbone and Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) star.

August 13 - Fittingly, the second installment of Michael Bay's Friday the Thirteenth series remake takes the stage on Friday, August 13. According to the Internet Movie Database, none of the cast has been confirmed but Jared Padalecki and Derek Mears are scheduled to return to their characters (Clay and Jason, respectively).

September 24 - Zack Snyder will bring to life the Guardians of Ga'hoole in September. Hugo Weaving, Helen Mirren and Geoffrey Rush are among the voice actors for this animated feature, with Jim Sturgess taking the lead as young Soren.

October 22 - Tobin Bell returns as Jigsaw in Saw VII, once again, just in time for Halloween, with David Hackl at the reins. Allegedly the final chapter in the series, Saw VII brings to light the real motives in John Kramer's master plan as an old character returns to the story. Who that old character is is being kept quiet at this point.

November 19 - Director David Yates returns for the final chapter in the Harry Potter series. The Deathly Hallows Part 1 is scheduled for release on November 19 (Part 2 is scheduled for July 15, 2011) with all the core actors/characters in place. The biggest change in lineup is Warwick Davis will forgo his role as Professor Flitwick to assume the position of Griphook the Goblin, originally played by Vern Troyer.

December 10 - We close out the year with the Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader, based on the fifth book of the seven book series. Michael Apted will replace Andrew Adamson as director and Will Poulter (Son of Rambow) joins the cast as the Pevensie's deplorable cousin Eustace.