The slate of cinema releases in 2012 was widely considered to be an upgrade over the offerings of 2011. Many believe we can expect more of the same in 2013. Only two of the top 10 grossing films this past year (4 of top 20) were original works that weren’t sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots or adaptations.  Looking ahead at ’13′s tentative release chart, we see more of the same. That’s not to say we’re not excited about the potential of tried-and-true storylines and characters — it’s just human nature to gravitate towards the familiar. However, we’re hungering for some unknown originals to surprise us. That said, here are the titles that most piqued our interest.

Gangster Squad

Release Date: 1/11/13
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Crime, Action
Starring:Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Robert Patrick, Michael Pena, Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony Mackie, Nick Nolte

A select group of LAPD officers and detectives must protect the law by breaking it as they try to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s and 50s. Honestly, I think everyone’s just itching to see more of Gosling seducing the pantaloons off Emma Stone again. Crazy Stupid Love was just the tip of the iceberg — this time they turn the sex appeal up a jillion.

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

Release Date: 1/25/13
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Fantasy, Action
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Zoe Bell, Famke Janssen

Fifteen years after the traumatic incident at a gingerbread house, the siblings Hansel and Gretel have grown into vengeful bounty hunters dedicated to exterminating witches. They’re recruited to rid a town and surrounding area of an evil sorceress who is planning to sacrifice many local children but the local sheriff poses a problem.

This was on a load of most anticipated lists of 2012, however the release date kept getting pushed back. Not a good sign. Also take into consideration that it’s now opening in January, a month in which most studios dump their less-than-stellar titles, and you can sense our hesitation.

John Dies at the End

Release Date: 1/25/13
Studio: Magnolia Magnet
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Starring: Chase Williamson, Rob Mayes, Paul Giamatti, Clancy Brown

I recently just finished reading the book this flick is based upon knowing full well the adaptation was in production. I’d like to think I’m an imaginative dude but my creative lobe experienced overload at the possibilities for the big screen. I love the casting and barring some kind of freak occurrence at the box office, we can expect a sequel.

A Good Day to Die Hard

Release Date: 2/14/13
Studio: Fox
Genre: Action
Starring: Bruce Willis, Cole Hauser, Anne V., Mary Elizabeth Winstead

John McClane travels to Moscow to help out his son but gets caught up in a terrorist plot involving the circumstances behind his son’s arrest.

This is one franchise that refuses to die and I’m totally okay with that as long as they keep bringing the ridiculous stunts like the jet fighter sequence from Live Free of Die Hard.

21 And Over

Release Date: 3/1/13
Studio: Relativity Media
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Miles Teller, Justin Chon, Skylar Astin, Sarah Wright

A straight-A student celebrates his 21st birthday with his two best friends before his interview for medical school the next morning. Think of it as Project X meets The Hangover with a little Harold and Kumar mixed in. While X was, to a certain extent, disappointing, the out of control party theme will never cease to catch my currency.

Jack the Giant Slayer

Release Date: 3/1/13
Studio: Warner Bros New Line
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Ian McShane

Based on Jack and the Beanstalk, this tale follows a young farmhand who unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of legendary giants who strive to reclaim the land they once lost. So, he’s gotta do battle and impress the princess. This was another title that was supposed to see the light of day in ’12 but was delayed. Better safe than sorry. Hopefully, the extra time taken won’t go for naught. I fully expect double entendre pick up lines about beanstalks once this hits theaters.

Oz: The Great and Powerful

Release Date: 3/8/13
Studio: Disney
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz

A small-time circus magician with dubious ethics is transported from Kansas to the Land of Oz where he meets three witches. He must use his “sorcery” to find out who’s good and who’s evil before it’s too late. Sort of like Santa Claus on a mission to diffuse a bomb. You could put Mila Kunis in a 5-hour period drama about forlorn facial expressions and long-form poetry and I’d watch it.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation

Release Date: 3/29/13
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Action
Starring: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Stevenson, RZA

The G.I. Joe force wages war on Zartan, Storm Shadow and Firefly, all serving under the newly released Cobra Commander, but they’re framed as traitors to the U.S. and mostly exterminated.  With the world leaders under Cobra’s control, advanced warheads are aimed at innocent populaces around the world. Pretty run of the mill evil plot, but what gets my inner solider to stand at attention are the additions of Dwayne Johnson and Bruce Willis, with Bruce playing the original G.I. Joe.

Evil Dead

Release Date: 4/12/13
Studio: Sony TriStar
Genre: Horror
Starring: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Elizabeth Blackmore, Jessica Lucas

This remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film follows five friends who hole up inside a remote cabin. where they discover a mysterious book that unwittingly summons dormant demons living in the nearby woods. There are two camps clamoring about this release – the ones who want the studios to leave well enough alone (why mess with perfection) and those who are psyched out of their gords for a modern retelling. I tend to side with the don’t-fuss faction; part of what made the original such a hit was its unique, campy cinematography. What will today’s special effects lend to the story that will improve upon its predecessor? Won’t it lose its appeal?

Oblivion

Release Date: 4/12/13
Studio: Universal
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Starring: Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, Morgan Freeman, Melissa Leo

One of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth is tasked with extracting vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs. It’s business as usual until he rescues an attractive female stranger from a downed spacecraft.

It’ll be interesting to see how this compares to Will Smith’s post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller. Tom might be a creepster in real life, but nobody can pull off what-the-fudgecicle-is-going-on quite like him. Is his routine getting old? Maybe, but I smell a really cool twist in this one that plays upon the audience’s familiarity factor with him.

Iron Man 3

Release Date: 5/3/13
Studio: Disney
Genre: Action
Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Ben Kingsley, Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Jon Favreau, Paul Bettany

Tony Stark faces the Mandarin as he embarks on a quest to find those responsible for destroying his private world.

Rumor has it this won’t be a serious movie, however judging by the trailer it looks pretty grim. Iron Man 2 was uneven and didn’t really fulfill on the promise of Mickey Rourke as Whiplash but did give us a glimpse of War Machine and Black Widow. Franchises have a tendency of bouncing back in the third installment, so we should get balls-to-the-wall fireworks from start to finish.

The Great Gatsby

Release Date: 5/10/13
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Carey Mulligan, Isla Fisher

A Midwesterner now living on Long Island is drawn in by his neighbor’s mysterious past and lavish lifestyle only to witness to obsession and tragedy.

Leo’s awesome in everything and the Mulligan-Fisher combo should tide you over during down moments. Should be the go-to date movie of the year.

Star Trek Into Darkness

Release Date: 5/17/13
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Simon Pegg, Alice Eve, Peter Weller, Benedict Cumberbatch

After being called back home, the crew of the Enterprise find a seemingly unstoppable force which has attacked Starfleet and left the planet in chaos. Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise are tasked with leading the deadly manhunt to capture the party responsible and settle an old score.

Rumor has it Khan’s the figure behind the attacks. Of all the elements to get pumped about seeing/hearing Chris Pine yell, ‘Khaaaaaan!’ might just outdo seeing Zoe Saldana go to town on Spock.

The Hangover Part III

Release Date: 5/24/13
Studio: Warner Bros
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong, Mike Epps, Mike Tyson, Heather Graham, John Goodman, Justin Bartha, Jeffrey Tambor, Jamie Chung

This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. Alan goes through a crisis after the death of his father and a bad guy from the first movie comes back to haunt them. I’m all for bringing back characters to tie up loose ends. Despite carbon copying the formulaic template of the first one, I enjoyed part II, but fans are definitely happy to know that this installment will take a different path. So far, it seems the stakes are higher – hopefully the jokes aren’t sacrificed in the process.

After Earth

Release Date: 6/7/13
Studio: Sony Columbia
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Starring: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Isabelle Fuhrman, Zoe Kravitz

A crash landing leaves a teenager and his legendary father stranded on Earth, 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape. With his dad critically injured, the teen must embark on a journey to signal for help, facing evolved animal species and an unstoppable alien creature along the way.

The synopsis seems a bit more straightforward than the cryptic one provided for Oblivion. Even though he’s appeared in a handful of films, this could be Jaden’s breakout performance.

Man of Steel

Release Date: 6/14/13
Studio: Warner Bros
Genre: Action, Adventure
Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Laurence Fishburne

By all accounts, Superman Returns was a letdown. Sucks to be Brandon Routh, right? It seems Hollywood wastes no time in trying to wipe everyone’s memory of disappointments so here we are seven years later with another Superman release. This time, though, it looks like the studio got it right. Will it be more like Nolan’s interpretation of Batman or Ang Lee’s vision of The Hulk?

This Is The End

Release Date: 6/14/13
Studio: Sony Columbia
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Jonah Hill, Emma Watson, Jason Segel, Paul Rudd, Michael Cera, Rihanna, Kevin Hart, David Krumholtz, Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari

After a series of cataclysmic events ravage Los Angeles, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson must face the true meaning of friendship and redemption as the world ends around them.

By now, everyone’s pretty much had their fill of apocalypse, but, for some reason, this production doesn’t feel like overkill. The most popular comic actors in the game playing themselves — taking and giving digs and wisecracks while their life of luxury is torn asunder? Sure, I’ll fund their coke habit to watch.

World War Z

Release Date: 6/21/13
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Action, Horror, Thriller
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, Daniella Kertesz, Matthew Fox, David Morse

A UN employee travels the world trying to find a way to stop the zombie pandemic that is defeating armies and collapsing governments.

Like a couple other titles on this list, Z has experienced a failure to launch. Apparently, Brad Pitt had some issues with the crew and readers of the book have already voiced their displeasure with the notable differences exhibited in the trailer. Then again, are bookworms ever pleased with the adaptation?

Kick-Ass 2

Release Date: 6/28/13
Studio: Universal
Genre: Action, Comedy
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Chloë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Leguizamo, Donald Faison, Robert Emms, Morris Chestnut, Nicolas Cage, Lyndsy Fonseca, Lindy Booth, Jim Carrey, Clark Duke

The costumed high-school hero Kick-Ass teams up with a group of normal citizens who have been inspired to fight crime in costume. Meanwhile, the Red Mist plots an act of revenge that will affect everyone Kick-Ass knows. Donald Faison, John Leguizamo, and Lindsy Fonseca join the cast, but the addition that’s got my bells jingling is Jim Carrey. I’ve got a rumbling in my gut that this is the year Carrey makes his comedic comeback.

The Lone Ranger

Release Date: 7/3/13
Studio: Disney
Genre: Action, Adventure, Western
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Wilkinson

A Native American spirit warrior recounts the untold tales that transformed a man of the law into a legend of justice. The two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.

Not sure there’s a whole lot of interest in rebooting this franchise but the chemistry of Depp and Hammer might make this a relatively surprise hit.

Pacific Rim

Release Date: 7/12/13
Studio: Warner Bros
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman

Giant monsters arise from a crevice in the Pacific Ocean and wreak havoc. To combat this new threat, massive robots controlled simultaneously by two pilots  are built and employed,  however even they fail. It’s up to two remaining pilots operating one final mech warrior from the original trials to save mankind.

Director Guillermo del Toro has said this is a love letter to Japanese monster movies but the inclusion of Charlie “Wild Card” Day intrigues me most. You really can’t go wrong with giant robots vs giant monsters.

The Wolverine

Release Date: 7/26/13
Studio: 20th Century Fox Marvel
Genre: Action
Starring: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman has stated that this is a ‘standalone’ movie, meaning you don’t have to see any of his other Wolvering perfs to understand it. The sequel takes place after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, the last film in the original X-Men trilogy and is based on the 1982 limited series comic book, in which Logan travels to Japan and engages a mysterious figure from his past.

Say what you will about the underwhelming X-Men: Origins flick about his character, but I’m not alone when I say it didn’t taint the public’s view of Jackman’s talents. This appears to have more promise and way more interesting fight sequences.

300: Rise of an Empire

Release Date: 8/2/13
Studio: Warner Bros.
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Starring: Rodrigo Santoro, Eva Green, Sullivan Stapleton, Jack O’Connell, Andrew Tiernan, Callan Mulvey, Ygal Naor, Ashraf Barhom, Andrew Pleavin

The film centers on Themistocles and Artemisia I of Caria and will also cover how Xerxes became “the God King”. No Gerard Butler but plenty of six packs for all you fitness freaks out there. I can’t wait for the new, “This … is … SPARTA!!!” to sweep the nation.

Elysium

Release Date: 8/9/13
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action
Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna

In the year 2159, the very wealthy live on a pristine man-made space station called, Elysium while the rest of humanity lives on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. A hard-nosed government official will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of Elysium while an unlucky ex-con agrees to take on a daunting mission that will save his life and bring class equality.

Not sure if you’ve seen production stills of Matt Damon, but the dude looks badass. What tickles my fancy is Jodie Foster in a futuristic setting. Those two don’t normally go together.

Riddick

Release Date: 09/06/13
Studio: Universal
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Starring: Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista

Riddick’s left for dead on some planet and must thwart a ton of bounty hunters so he can save his own planet from destruction.

This sequel is probably unnecessary but it allows me to remain relevant when I say a situation is Riddick. Has the clock struck midnight on Vin Diesel’s career? He does have Fast and the Furious 6 coming out in ’13 (which is Riddick in its own right), and his fanbase is loyal as all hell. I’m just hoping for cooler enemies in this installment.

Sin City: A Dame To Kill For
Release Date: 10/4/13
Studio: Weinstein Dimension
Genre: Noir, Action
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Michael Madsen, Rosario Dawson, Clive Owen, Jaime King, Jamie Chung

The town’s most hard boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more reviled inhabitants. I’m shocked this isn’t a TV series on HBO or Showtime. You could pump out at least five seasons of storylines about this city’s sadistic lot of twisted souls.

Ender’s Game

Release Date: 11/1/13
Studio: Lionsgate Summit
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Viola Davis

In the near future, a hostile alien race attacks Earth but a military hero saves the day. In preparation for the next attack, the military trains the best young children to find the next savior. A shy but strategically brilliant boy quickly and easily excels and is selected to lead the battle.

Children really are our future, so I’m glad my stones dropped. Kids think they have to endure so much pressure now, what about when our world depends on you outsmarting hyper-intelligent extraterrestrials.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Release Date: 11/22/13
Studio: Lionsgate
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jena Malone

After winning the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta  embark on a tour of the districts and are forced to prove that their act to save each other was not an act of defiance against the Capitol, but one of love to prevent full on rebellion. Meanwhile, the president prepares the 75th Annual Hunger Games, otherwise known as The Quarter Quell.

I admit I get more than a Quarter Swell on when J-Law’s on screen. My only beef with the first movie was the blurry, shaky, rapid camera movement during fight scenes. It reminded me of the bot-on-bot battles in ‘Transformers’ wrapped in a dream sequence where you’re blinded by science. As much as I love all things future, the outfits and hairdos are disconcerting.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Release Date: 12/13/13
Studio: Warner Bros New Line
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O’Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Elijah Wood, Ian Holm, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Bret McKenzie

The Dwarfs, Bilbo and Gandalf have successfully escaped the misty mountains, but Bilbo has gained the one ring. They all continue their journey to get their gold back off the Dragon, Smaug.

The Hobbit performed well at the box office and Peter Jackson has stated they can squeeze 3 films out of the one novel. I have a feeling he won’t rest until little people with big hairy feet get the respect they deserve. There’s hope for you yet, Danny DeVito.

Anchorman: The Legend Continues

Release Date: 12/20/13
Studio: Paramount
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, Christina Applegate, David Koechner

Get that leisure suit pressed and break out the scotch, the handsome beast and channel 4 news team assemble for another raucous ride through the world of half-assed journalism. I’ve yet to go a day without quoting the original and despite being 8 years removed, they still get laughs. It’ll be hard to beat the first one, but if there’s one thing Ron Burgundy can do well, it’s hitting rock bottom and recovering like a champion.

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WRITTEN BY: Neal – our Editor & Content Manager of the Sports, Comedy, and Viral Channels.