The year might be drawing to a close but there are still some exciting Hollywood blockbusters coming.
Here are the most anticipated movie releases for the rest of the year:
“Transformers One” (September 20)
This animated sci-fi action film is based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line. It will depict the origins and early relationship of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they forever altered the fate of Cybertron, which is the home planet of the Transformers.
It is also the franchise’s first theatrical animated feature film since 1986’s “The Transformers: The Movie”.
Directed by Josh Coole, the star-studded voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” (October 4)
The musical psychological thriller sees Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as the Joker and Lady Gaga joining the cast as his love interest. It is the sequel to 2019’s “Joker” and is loosely based on DC Comics’ characters.
Directed by Todd Phillips, it will also see Zazie Beetz reprising her role while Brendan Gleeson and Catherine Keener join the cast.
The sequel is set to pick up two years after the events of the first movie where Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), now a patient at Arkham State Hospital, falls in love with music therapist Lee (Gaga).
As they experience musical madness through their linked insanity, Arthur’s followers start a movement to liberate him.
“Gladiator II” (November 22)
The epic historical action film, directed and co-produced by Ridley Scott, serves as the sequel to 2000’s “Gladiator”.
Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi will reprise their roles. Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Denzel Washington have also been added to the cast.
The story follows Lucius, the former heir to the Roman Empire, who becomes a gladiator after his home is invaded by the Roman army, led by General Marcus Acacius, during the reign of the co-emperors Caracalla and Geta.
Now, more than two decades after the events of the first movie, Lucius, the grandson of Rome’s former emperor Marcus Aurelius and son of Lucilla, is forced into slavery by Roman soldiers and he resolves to fight as a gladiator under the tutelage of Macrinus.
“Wicked” (November 22)
Also known as “Wicked – Part 1”, the fantasy movie, directed by Jon M Chu, is the first of a two-part film adaptation of the stage musical of the same name by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, which, in turn, was based on the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire and characters from L Frank Baum's 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead the cast which also includes Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater and Marissa Bode.
It centres on Elphaba (Erivo), who is misunderstood because of her green skin. She forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda (Grande), a student with an unflinching desire for popularity.
After an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, their lives begin to take different paths.
“Mufasa: The Lion King” (December 20)
The photo-realistically animated film, which serves as a prequel and sequel to the 2019 remake of the 1994 film “The Lion King”, is voiced by a star-studded cast.
They include South Africa’s John Kani, as well as Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who all reprise their roles from the remake.
New cast members include Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James and Blue Ivy Carter in her feature film debut.
Directed by Barry Jenkins, the movie will pick up in the Pride Lands of Tanzania after the events of the previous film.
It will see Rafiki the mandrill narrating the origin story of two lions, Mufasa and Taka, to Kiara, the granddaughter of Mufasa and daughter of Simba and Nala.
“Nosferatu” (December 25)
The fantasy horror is the unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel “Dracula”, although various names and other details were changed for the film.
Directed by Robert Eggers, it stars Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp.
Set in 1838, it sees Thomas Hutter (Hoult) being sent to Transylvania by his employer, estate agent Herr Knock, to visit a new client, Count Orlok. However, he soon learns that Orlok is a vampire who has his eyes set on Hutter’s wife, Ellen.