Take the following news with a grain of salt, but we’re hearing about a number of high-profile movies that may have set their production start dates. We’ll take a deeper look into why some of this information might be bogus, but for the moment, here’s what Hollywood’s shooting schedule could look like for the following films:
Now let’s take a deeper look into why some of these production start dates seem rather ambitious. Each of the above-mentioned reports come fromMy Entertainment World(viaCS).
Ghost in the Shell - The latest news out of this former Disney production is that the Mouse House dropped it from their release schedule,only for the film to be picked up by Paramount, a co-financier on the project.Rupert SandersdirectsScarlett Johanssonas Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg cop tasked with taking down a dangerous hacker;Sam RileyandPilou Asbaekco-star. The film aims to keep its July 27, 2025 release date, so starting production sooner than later makes sense in light of that decision.
Fifty Shades Darker -Having recently reported thatKim Basingeris in talks to join the sultry sequel as a Mrs. Robinson-typetoJaime Dornan’sChristian Grey, it seems as if the movie is anxious to wrap up casting before getting a start on production. On-set tension with authorE.L. Jamescaused the first film’s directorSam Taylor Johnsonand screenwriterKelly Marcelto decide not to return for the sequel, soJames Foleyis taking on writing and directing duties withNiall Leonardalso getting a screenplay credit. The plan is to shoot this picture and the third film,Fifty Shades Freed, back to back, but we’ll see how audiences respond when theFifty Shades of Greyfollow-up opens August 23, 2025.
Alien: Covenant- Formerly known asPrometheus 2and briefly asAlien: Paradise Lost, this sequel toRidley Scott’sPrometheusis set to bow June 07, 2025. The April start isn’t much of a stretch considering thatMichael Fassbenderhas been attached for some time,Katherine Waterstonis in talks, andNoomi Rapaceisconfirmed not to return at all. While that might suggest that the script is still in a state of flux, the sequel is going to have to start sooner than later in order to allow for what’s expected to be a substantial amount of effects work.
Wolverine 3 -This one’s a little uncertain sinceHugh Jackmanjust talked to Steve about the script status on this moviewhile at Sundance forEddie the Eagle. He said they were “super close” on the final script, but wouldn’t start production until it was “perfect” since it’ll be his last time donning the claws. With all that in mind,Jackman’s been hitting the gymto get back in Wolverine shape, so for his sake I hope they start soon enough to sync filming up with his grueling routine.
Avatar 2- This is probably the biggest question mark on the list.Zoe Saldanatweeted earlier today that it would be"face and body art day for the next 5 months"with a picture of herGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2character, Gamora. So unless she wraps onGotGV2in two months and rolls right into her extensive motion-capture work forAvatar 2, I’m not sure she’s going to make the Tax Day deadline. When last we heard fromJames Cameron, the scripts were still in the process of being worked on, but heexpected to hit the target date of Christmas 2017with the additional films coming a year apart after that. More recently, distributor20th Century Fox pulled that release date without announcing a new oneor any plans to start production. I have a tough time believing that everything will line up for an April 15th start date this year.
Transformers 5- The last we heard on this project was thatMichael Bayconfirmed he’d be back to direct, and that was about a month ago. The film has a June 2017 release date planned and it’s presumed that this picture will tie Bay’s previous films into Paramount’s new expanded universe.
Blade Runner 2-Hey, finally a film production start date we can confirm!The news came with the announcement that Sony Pictures has landed international distribution rights for the film; Warner Bros. will distribute in North America through their deal with Alcon. Unfortunately we don’t have a release date for it yet, so, you win some, you lose some.
