Happy (kind of) New Year!
After a much-needed month of rest, the Blueprint is back for its third calendar year of bringing quality content about the film and television that resides in our brain rent free: and a new year brings new releases to look forward to!
We’re based in the UK, so January is predominantly ruled by all the releases the States got last year – which is why we’re looking ahead now! We are praying to the film gods (the cast and crew of Marry Me, just FYI) that we get all of these as previously scheduled – after a pandemic and industry strikes, we just can’t take another year of saddening cinematic delays.
Here are a handful of the Blueprint’s most anticipated film releases of 2024!
Lisa Frankenstein
Dir. Zelda Williams
If there’s one thing the Blueprint conclusively and famously endorses, it’s the resurgence of weird little teen films – especially if they star Kathryn Newton. With a script by the great Diablo Cody, this self proclaimed “coming of Rage story” about a quirky young teenage and her corpse crush brought to life looks like the fun cinema-trip-with-your-bestie film of early 2024.
Wicked Little Letters
Dir. Thea Sharrock
We feel like this has the potential to be the sneak attack of the early year for a fun and unexpected good film. The genre of foul-mouthed British comedies has had some excellent entries, and this could be another one to add to the list, particularly with powerhouses like Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman leading the charge. On the other hand, it could just be nothing to write home about…get it?
Dune: Part II
Dir. Denis Villeneuve
Potentially the most high-profile delay of 2023 was the eagerly anticipated sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. Press for this film is now officially underway (wherein Zendaya and Florence Pugh existing in the same room is melting the world’s mind collectively), and after recent word that probably soon-to-be Oscar winner Christopher Nolan has seen the film and won’t shut up about how “jaw-dropping” it is, alongside Timothée Chalamet calling it “the film I’m most proud of”, we’re pretty confident that Part II will have been well worth the wait.
The Fall Guy
Dir. David Leitch
This raucous action/ comedy about a stuntman unintentionally uncovering a crime on the set of his ex’s latest movie seems to have equal potential of being trashy or genius – and we sincerely hope it’s somewhere in the middle. Starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, with supporting performances from Hannah Waddingham and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, this film looks like it could coast on its cast alone.
Challengers
Dir. Luca Guadagnino
The delay of this steamy, charged drama about three young tennis stars was the lowest point of blueprint writer Jamie’s 2023. It’s best to leave it at that or I (Jamie) WILL ramble on for three full pages about Mike Faist and nobody would be able to stop me. Watch this space for when the movie comes out and I WILL have seen it at least 6 times and will write the most incoherent review of all time.
The Bikeriders
Dir. Jeff Nichols
The general consensus from the LFF screenings was that this moody gangster crime drama about a midwestern motorcycle club wasn’t much to write home about: but we were kind of grateful that that means we won’t have to focus on plot when that cast looks that fine. Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy lead a star-studded cast here, that again, includes Mike Faist. Big year for Faist fans.
Love Lies Bleeding
Dir. Rose Glass
Lesbians! Kristen Stewart! What more could one need? Rose Glass’ feature debut Saint Maud made major waves in 2019, and her sophomore film seems totally different, yet just as enticing. The A24-produced film stars Katy O’Brian as an ambitious bodybuilder in this romantic thriller that’s received delicious words such as “pulpy” and “lust filled” in early reviews.
Monkey Man
Dir. Dev Patel
Not only does Monkey Man star Dev Patel, it also marks his feature writing and directorial debut. It’s a feat so impressive that producer Jordan Peele oversaw Netflix’s acquisition of the film and made sure it received a theatrical release. With Dev Patel looking like THAT and the ripe opportunity to quote Rosalie Hale in the ever-famous Twilight baseball scene, it’s sure to be a riot.
Hit Man
Dir. Richard Linklater
Linklater’s fourth collaboration with Glen Powell recently earned applause breaks and a standing ovation at Sundance, and with Powell’s star continuously on the rise after the equally wonderful Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, we’re looking forward to seeing the turn he himself has written for him to take next.
Mickey 17
Dir. Bong Joon Ho
Almost everything about Bong Joon-ho’s next film starring Robert Pattinson has been kept under wraps, and though the film is now devastatingly, indefinitely delayed, we’re hopeful we will see it before 2024 is out. Whether that optimism is a lost cause or not will remain to be seen.
Drive Away Dolls
Dir. Ethan Coen
A terrific cast, Ethan’s first solo feature effort, and the promise of another two queer B-movies? If we weren’t already so in for this, how good Margaret Qualley looks in the trailer was enough to sell us.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Dir. George Miller
George Miller pulled off one of the greatest technical achievements ever put to film in 2015 with Mad Max: Fury Road, so how could we not be seated for another brainchild from him, one starring Anya Taylor-Joy (pretty) and Chris Hemsworth (pretty) no less.
Inside Out 2
Dir. Kelsey Mann
Somehow it’s been nine years since Pixar presented us with Riley’s DILF dad a look into our confusing emotions, and now they’re back to add more difficult conversations between parents and their children! How fun! This time with blueprint celebrity Maya Hawke in the mix, which is very fun for us.
A Quiet Place: Day One
Dir. Michael Sarnoski
Though the Quiet Place sequel from 2020 left much to be desired, it’s still a vastly compelling universe that we’re eager to return to on the big screen: especially with that cast.
Joker: Folie a Deux
Dir. Todd Phillips
We didn’t love Joker by any means, but the shock announcement that the dude bro sensation would be getting a musical sequel starring Lady Gaga was enough to have us hooked. We especially can’t wait to see the aforementioned dude-bros react to Lady Gaga breaking out into song every five minutes (please, that’s our dream!).
Gladiator 2
Dir. Ridley Scott
The original Gladiator of 2000 was an epic that marked a real point in cinematic history, and though pretty much everything about it’s two decades in the making sequel remain top secret (with star Paul Mescal even recently joking that to say anything more than it’s “in Rome” would get him assassinated), it’s easy to see why much of the world is waiting for it with baited breath. As with many films on this list, it also features a terrific cast: we can’t wait for them to become our new Roman Empire.
Wicked: Part I
Dir. Jon M. Chu
Have we ever been more scared of a film adaptation? No. Though we would like to add that Jonathan Bailey being cast as Fiyero is one of the most inspired castings of all time, overall we’re aware we’re not alone in being on edge to see whether the modern classic musical is going to be done justice.
Nosferatu
Dir. Robert Eggers
Vampires are Blueprint writer Maddy’s thing, so from the second this remake was announced, we have been counting down the days. Robert Eggers has never played it safe, often choosing to explore darkness in vastly interesting ways, so this has us hyped, particularly with a stellar cast and the promise of so much delicious vampire content. It is the light at the end of the tunnel that whatever this year brings, there is Nosferatu to look forward to at the end of it all.
What films are your most anticipated of 2024? We personally don’t know how you’d beat vampires, lesbians, and jaded ex-tennis stars, but hey, we’re willing to hear you out.
We’re also pleased to finally be launching our instagram account this month! Watch this space and get ready to follow us from your personal, business and weird pet accounts for regular and aesthetically pleasing posts, and an introductory giveaway.
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