This Summer's Movie Trend: Trilogy Ending Films

Hollywood trends are so commonplace, the public often fails to catch every theme it promotes. Clothing, shoes, designers and more seem to revolve around the promotion of top stars. Directors and producers are getting into the trend cycle this summer with an abundant supply of trilogy ending blockbuster films.

Spiderman 3 has proved to be the smash hit of the summer. Spidey managed to soar past Captain Jack's former record breaking $135.6 million opening weekend with his own opening weekend finishing at $145 million. Stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst are relaxing in the glow of success. While Spiderman 3 raised the bar for competition, the question remains: Will Spiderman 3 be able to maintain the number one spot? Spiderman's number one spot is up for grabs!

First round of competition in the trilogy ending battle, Shrek 3 opens on May 18. Star studded cast members, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz bring Shrek's next adventure to life. The film finds Shrek unhappy with the idea of stepping in as King of Far, Far Away Land when Fiona's father falls ill. Shrek and Donkey take another quest to locate wild cousin Artie to serve as King. Meanwhile, Fiona has her own troubles . . .

Can Shrek, with Donkey's help, find enough success on the latest quest to take Spiderman's top spot? Shrek 2's opening weekend had a fairy tale ending. Topping the charts at $104.3 million, the weekend was the highest debut for an animated film.

After Shrek's quest, the second round of competition begins with Captain Jack Sparrow and crew in the highly anticipated Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Opening earlier than originally scheduled, the third installment of Pirates will set sail on Thursday, May 24 at 8 pm. Cast members Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and Geoffrey Rush are joined by many more in the third production. Will and Elizabeth decide to join Captain Barbosa, sailing to the ends of the earth in efforts to free the captured Captain Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones . . .

The Pirates series has constantly battled back at Spiderman's record breaking hits. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a surprising Disney hit. The original Spiderman featuring Maguire and Dunst topped the list at $114.8 million for its opening weekend. Its sequel, Spiderman 2 came in at $115.8 million. The smashing success of the first Pirates movie begged for a sequel. Pirates Of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest sailed past Spidey's latest record, hitting $135.6 million. Dead Man's Chest also boasts the bragging rights of the first film to break $100 million in 2 days. The recent success of Spiderman 3 will have Captain Jack and crew chasing another record. Can Captain Jack Sparrow and the Pirates raid first place again? Whatever the outcome, Spiderman 3 and Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End are the two smash hits of summer.

Round three of the battle for first place features Danny Ocean and his friends in Ocean's 13. The third adventure for Ocean's guys is set for June 8. Packed full of award winners, Ocean's 13 features George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Bernie Mac, Elloit Gould, Al Pacino and many more. In their latest adventure, Ocean and crew plan a heist after casino owner Willy Bank (played by Pacino) double crosses long time friend Reubin (Gould) . . .

Will Ocean and the guys be the gang that outsmarts the competition for the top spot? Ocean's 11 and 12 opening weekends were $38 and $39 million, respectively. Ocean's crowd gets smarter with each heist. This may be the job that breaks records because they are all in.

Concluding the fight, Matt Damon stars in The Bourne Ultimatum. Set for release on August 3, David Strathaim, Julia Stiles and Paddy Considine join Damon to share the final mysteries of Jason Bourne's past. Bourne (Damon) is lured from his constant hiding in order to contact a journalist following his surreal story. All the while, government agents continue to track his every move . . .

For Jason Bourne fans- although original writer Robert Ludlam has died, writer Eric Van Lustbader has continued Jason Bourne's story in the fourth story, Bourne Legacy. He is currently writing a fifth installment, Bourne Betrayal. The fifth book is tentatively planned to be released in June 2007.

Audience members can expect to stand in long lines. This summer's trend of trilogy ending films is sure to bring plenty of ticket sales.