Getty Images]]> Starring in: "The Avengers" (May 4)
Summer Heat: Reprising her role from 2010's "Iron Man 2," Johansson's Black Widow injects some much needed estrogen into "The Avengers." She's the ultimate action herione: strong and sexy with a hint of mystery and danger. Plus, she'll look better in spandex than all of her super-powered cohorts.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Snow White and the Huntsman" (June 1), "Prometheus" (June 8)
Summer Heat: A stunning Oscar-winner undaunted by the challenges of blockbuster filmmaking, Theron is the epitome of a movie star. With two bold roles in what could be a pair of the biggest films of the year, she'll reestablish herself as a bankable cinematic force to be reckoned with.]]> Starring in: "The Dark Knight Rises" (July 20)
Summer Heat: This year, Oscar nominee Hathaway goes big or goes home. In December she'll take another stab at awards glory in Tom Hooper's "Les Miserables," but before that she joins Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry as one of the lucky few to embody the Caped Crusader's alluring ally/foe Catwoman in Christopher Nolan's final Batfilm. You should probably buy your tickets now.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Girl in Progress" (May 11)
Summer Heat: Need a break from glossy studio flicks? Mendes toplines this indie offering about a working mother struggling to make rent and a better life for her teenage daughter, who's growing up faster than she'd like. Eva has a decent track record with smaller, character-based films, and between her sizzling good looks and undeniable likability, "Girl in Progress" should be a worthy alternative to the super-sized tentpoles of the month.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Ted" (July 13)
Summer Heat: Mila was probably very comfortable on the set of her new comedy "Ted." After all, it reunited her with both her longtime "Family Guy" collaborator Seth MacFarlane (making his directorial debut) and "Max Payne" costar Mark Wahlberg. That doesn't mean it'll be a comfortable experience for moviegoers, who are in for a raunchy romp the likes of which they've never seen (check out that red-band trailer for proof.)

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Battleship," "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (May 18)
Summer Heat: Every movie needs eye candy, and Decker has the 18th all to herself, appearing in a big-budget action tentpole and the rom-com that will open against it. Having worked on just one film before these two (Adam Sandler's "Just Go With It"), the model-turned-actress is making all the right moves to leave her mark on showbiz and the imaginations of teenage boys everywhere.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Savages" (July 6)
Summer Heat: After last year's "Green Lantern" debacle, Lively reboots her summer movie status in one of the more unique and exotic projects of the year. In Oliver Stone's new crime thriller she plays O, the shared girlfriend of two Malibu pot dealers who end up at war with a Mexican cartel. It's easily her juiciest role to date, and could end up being a turning point in her promising career.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Snow White and the Huntsman" (June 1)
Summer Heat: The gorgeous "Twilight" star trades one iconic fantasy character for another as the fairest of them all in the second Snow White movie of the year. Even though we've heard reports that the film could be sequelized without her, we're looking forward to seeing Stewart break the mold of reserved vampire worshipper and getting her hands dirty as a warrior rebel.]]> Starring in: "The Amazing Spider-Man" (July 3)
Summer Heat: Though "Bridesmaids" got all the credit for girl power last summer, Stone did her part to bring females to the forefront of film with "Crazy, Stupid, Love.," "Friends With Benefits" and "The Help." This year she plays the love interest of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, a part that is sure to make her even more of a household name than she's already become.]]> Starring in: "Premium Rush" (August 24), 7500" (August 31)
Summer Heat: Jamie has come a long way since MTV's "The Real World," capitalizing on her stint on the long-running program to segue into a film career where she's found success with "Grown Ups" and "The Hangover Part II." This year she'll use her heart-stopping looks in two edge-of-your-seat thrillers that are sure to continue her winning streak.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "What to Expect When You're Expecting" (May 18), "Ice Age: Continental Drift" (July 13)
Summer Heat: With a secure job on "American Idol" and a new radio hit "Dance Again," J.Lo is back at the top of her game. This season on the big screen she'll return to familiar rom-com territory with"What to Expect … " before joining the lucrative "Ice Age" franchise in its fourth outing. They're both properties that are too big to fail, and Lopez should be able to ride their success back to motion picture prominence.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" (June 29)
Summer Heat: Would-be Wonder Woman Palicki picked up the role of Lady Jaye in this highly anticipated sequel after NBC passed on her ill-fated aforementioned pilot, proving that when one door closes, another opens. Adrianne has been up-and-coming for a long time; with proven talent, obvious beauty and newly minted franchise recognition, she may finally be able to take her career to the next level.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" (June 22)
Summer Heat: It's been 10 years since Knightley tried her hand at comedy. Who better to accompany her return to the genre than Steve Carell? The affable funnyman accompanies this lovely leading lady in a lighthearted apocalyptic tale that's sure to showcase the former "Pirates of the Caribbean" star's sweeter side, previously seen in "Love Actually."

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "That's My Boy" (June 15)
Summer Heat: Another Gossip Girl squeezing a movie role in between TV seasons, Meester hops on the Adam Sandler train for his latest obligatory comedy – this one centering on a sub-par father whose son (Andy Samberg) keeps him out of his life until he's about to married. Hey, she could do worse.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "To Rome With Love" (April 20)
Summer Heat: No stranger to summer cinema or this list, Cruz has ruled the season in the past thanks to movies like "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides," "Sex and the City 2" and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," for which she won an Oscar in 2009. From the looks of the trailer for her reunion with director Woody Allen, she could be the most seductive siren on the screen in this year.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Rock of Ages" (June 15)
Summer Heat: After dancing her way into America's hearts and onto the silver screen in "Burlesque" and "Footloose," Hough has set her sights on this Broadway adaptation in which she'll share frames with Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Cruise and Catherine Zeta-Jones. A natural performer with all the beauty and skills of an A-lister, this could be the film that propels her into the stratosphere of superstardom.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Katy Perry: Part of Me" (July 5)
Summer Heat: Last year Perry voiced Smurfette, but this summer you can see her in all her glory as … herself. One of the recording industry's most successful acts, she gets her very own concert movie that will offer a revealing look at her life on and off stage. Chock full of her smash songs, "Part of Me" should be a big hit among Perry loyalists and could even attract new fans.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "Battleship" (May 18)
Summer Heat: RiRi continues the trend of pop stars invading the big screen this summer, making her motion picture debut in the splashiest action adventure of the season as the token tough girl aboard a Navel vessel stocked with testosterone. She's lucky because she doesn't have much to prove with this role; she's simply along for the ride with her equally photogenic costars. As long as she looks good while getting wet and firing guns at aliens, she's done her job. We can assure you that she will not disappoint.

Getty Images]]> Starring in: "People Like Us" (June 29)
Summer Heat: Simply put, since "TRON: Legacy" we've been wild for Wilde. The striking young actress has been working nonstop after becoming Hollywood's next big thing, proving that she can hold her own in comedies, dramas and action flicks. "People Like Us" finds her as the girlfriend of Chris Pine in a mature movie that should be a refreshing blast of (polished) realism in the CG-laden summer season.

Getty Images]]> http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/summer-movies-2012-preview/ http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/summer-movies-2012-preview/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:00:12 +0000 Max Evry http://www.nextmovie.com/?p=123393

Columbia Pictures / Warner Bros.

'Tis the season for massive explosions and people running from them.

Summer movies are coming, and iconic superheroes will dominate as "Dark Knight Rises," "Avengers," and "The Amazing Spider-Man" duke it out for box office supremacy, while the sci-fi derby includes fresh takes on the "Alien" saga ("Prometheus") and Philip K. Dick ("Total Recall"), plus a return visit to MIB headquarters.

Of course, it's not all grenades and gunshots. Just see a shirtless Tom Cruise in "Rock of Ages" and everythingless Channing Tatum in "Magic Mike" representing for the ladies this summer.

We count down the biggest and best blockbusters for beating the summer heat.

30. 'Battleship'

Universal

Release Date: May 18
Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Rihanna
The Scoop: "John Carter" sank, but this feature version of the perennial Hasbro board game may be just the ticket to keep Taylor Kitsch's career afloat. The decision to go sci-fi with invading aliens as the heavies is clearly the filmmakers' attempt to capitalize on the success of "Transformers," but with costars Liam Neeson and singer Rihanna in tow, this could be one unsinkable "Battleship." | Watch the trailer

29. 'Bel Ami'

Magnolia Pictures

Release Date: June 8
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci
The Scoop: R.Pattz is a beautiful friend indeed to the many lovely ladies in this 19th-century romp. The "Twilight" superstar plays Georges Duroy, a French libertine using his cunning and sexuality to broker his way from one powerful woman's bed to another. Based on the novel by Guy de Maupassant, this one's sure to get the more literary-minded audience's home fires burning. | Watch the trailer

28. 'Sparkle'

TriStar

Release Date: Aug 17
Starring: Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Derek Luke, Cee Lo Green
The Scoop: Whitney Houston's swan song is a remake of the 1970s cult classic, which she adored as a child. The late singer was set for a big-time comeback, including a soundtrack produced by R. Kelly, before her tragic death in February. Houston and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks are "Giving Him Something He Can Feel," and audiences will be floored. | Watch the trailer

27. 'The Expendables 2'

Lionsgate

Release Date: Aug 17
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Scoop: A second helping of brawny, gun-totin' geezers was inevitable after the mighty $275 million haul their pyrotechnics brought in two years ago. Stallone has ceded the director's chair to Simon West ("Tomb Raider," "Con Air") but returns as writer and star, playing mercenary Barney Ross, who leads his team into a trap in which one of them gets whacked. They recruit new members Billy the Kid (Liam Hemsworth) and Maggie (Yu Nan) to get some of that sweet, tasty revenge we like so much. | Watch the trailer

26. 'What to Expect When You’re Expecting'

Liongate

Release Date: May 18
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Brooklyn Decker
The Scoop: The go-to chick flick of the summer is based on the classic baby manual and follows five couples as they navigate the ups, downs and hormones of pregnancy. Oh, and don't worry, guys, because Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Thomas Lennon, Rob Huebel and Matthew Morrison will be on hand for some much-needed bro time. | Watch the trailer

25. 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation'

Paramount

Release Date: June 29
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Channing Tatum, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki
The Scoop: Because one just wasn't enough. The Joes are back, but this time those Cobra scumbags have hatched a scheme to get their kung fu grip on the White House and eliminate America's last line of defense. Tatum returns as Duke, but it's Johnson as Roadblock and Willis as the original "Joe" who are running the show this time around. Did we mention ninjas swordfighting off a cliff face? POW! | Watch the trailer

24. 'People Like Us'

DreamWorks

Release Date: June 29
Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer, Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Jon Favreau
The Scoop: You might know the name Alex Kurtzman as one of the kings of franchise screenwriting with "Transformers," "Mission: Impossible" and "Star Trek" under his belt. Instead of making a splashy debut as a director, he wrote this grounded drama (along with partner Roberto Orci) about a man named Sam (Pine) who has to deliver $150,000 to a 30-year-old alcoholic sister he's never met. He encounters her troubled 12-year-old son and probably learns something about himself, too.

23. 'Katy Perry: Part of Me'

Getty Images

Release Date: July 5
Starring: Katy Perry
The Scoop: This concert documentary chronicles the life of the world's biggest female pop star, from her humble beginnings as a gospel singer to when she kissed a girl and liked it. If you really want to have fun, try hopping back and forth between the theater showing this film and another one showing ex-hubby Russell Brand's "Rock of Ages." | Watch the trailer

22. 'Seeking a Friend for the End of the World'

Focus Features

Release Date: June 22
Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Adam Brody, Derek Luke, Connie Britton
The Scoop: Here's a perfect 2012 comedy for the Mayan-minded. With an impending asteroid about to smush the Earth into a pancake, a man teams up with a neighbor to road-trip across an apocalyptic U.S. and reunite with his childhood sweetheart. We'd never have thought to cast Carell opposite Knightley, but that unlikely chemistry might just prove magical, especially given the unconventional nature of the script. | Watch the trailer

21. 'ParaNorman'

Focus Features

Release Date: Aug 17
Starring: (voices) Casey Affleck, Jeff Garlin, John Goodman, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
The Scoop: From the 3-D stop-motion geniuses at Laika -- the very patient animators who brought us "Coraline" -- comes this slab of spooky fun revolving around an outcast kid named Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who communicates with the dead to protect his sleepy New England town from a horde of ghosts, witches and zombies. The trailers are awesome, with some incredible puppet animation and a hilarious "Monster House" vibe to the story.

Also Check Out: Summer Movie Polls

20. 'Men in Black 3'

Columbia Pictures

Release Date: May 21
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve
The Scoop: Call it cautious optimism, but despite some clunky-looking effects and tales of production woes (delays, unfinished scripts), we're still amped to see Will and Tommy back in black. With Josh Brolin doing a so-dead-on-it's-scary Tommy Lee Jones impersonation as a '60s-era Agent K, this will indeed be like walking into a time machine. | Watch the trailer

19. 'To Rome With Love'

Sony Pictures Classics

Release Date: June 22
Starring: Woody Allen, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Benigni, Penélope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Greta Gerwig, Ellen Page
The Scoop: Woody Allen made box office magic with last summer's "Midnight in Paris," so let's see if he can strike gold twice in a row. The Woodman continues his globetrotting (London, Barcelona, France) with this trip to the boot of Europe as famous Italians (Benigni) mix with American tourists (Baldwin, Eisenberg, Page) in four interconnected comedic vignettes. Throw in an Academy Award-winning Spaniard (Cruz) and Allen himself, and you've got yourself a heaping plate of laughs al dente.

18. 'Magic Mike'

Warner Bros.

Release Date: June 29
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer
The Scoop: Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody ("Juno") remarked on an episode of "WTF with Marc Maron" that when she released her stripping memoir, it resulted in criticism and controversy, and she wondered if this film -- based on Channing Tatum's teen experiences takin' it all off in Tampa, Florida -- would bring the "21 Jump Street" star equal scorn. Only one way to find out, as Steven Soderbergh directs a beefcake wonderland eager to please. Tatum is, to put this tastefully, the Jedi stripping master, while Pettyfer is his Padawan disciple, and the ladies should look forward to some red-hot "lightsabers." | Watch the trailer

17. 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Focus Features

Release Date: May 25
Starring: Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jason Schwartzman
The Scoop: With Ed Norton as a cigarette-smoking Boy Scout troop leader, Bruce Willis as a sheriff with translucent glasses and Bill Murray as a disenchanted father, this couldn't be anything but a standard-issue Wes Anderson affair. The director of "The Royal Tenenbaums" always has something delightfully eccentric up his corduroy sleeves, and his tale of two young kids in a runaway romance will not disappoint. | Watch the trailer

16. 'Rock of Ages'

Warner Bros.

Release Date: June 15
Starring: Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Malin Akerman, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Tom Cruise
The Scoop: Tom Cruise likes his old-time rock 'n' roll Bon Jovi-style as he belts out "Wanted Dead Or Alive." Word on the street is Cruise brings down the house, but for backup you've got pros Russell Brand and Mary J. Blige waiting in the wings to make sure this Broadway musical takes it to the next level. Adam Shankman ("Hairspray") directs. | Watch the trailer

Keep Reading: Top 30 Must-See Summer Movies of 2012 (15 - 1) >>