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Blockbuster Preview Spring/Summer 2008
Apparently the adult audience who might come out to see dramas like Atonement and No Country For Old Men evaporate when the sun comes out, and the multiplexes are given over to teenage hordes, desperate for their weekly CGI fix - preferably involving a Marvel superhero (or two). Luckily these tend to be movies anyone can enjoy: spectacular, action-packed, and as fun as they can make them. That's the theory anyway. Unfortunately it doesn't always work out. In the last few years The Island, Lady in the Water, and Superman Returns have all failed to make the grade, and while they generated plenty of money, it was generally agreed that last summer's surfeit of threequels had gotten too big for their boots. This year thankfully there are less sequels, and we'll be seeing a new round of what studios hope will become franchises, including Iron Man and Hancock.
At the time of writing, we haven't seen any of these movies - just the trailers. But that hasn't stopped us from pulling out the form guide and handicapping what promises to be the most interesting blockbuster season in years. Feel free to play along and we can compare notes come September. Tom Charity Tom.charity@lovefilm.com 
Iron ManMay 2nd 2008The Gist: Cynical weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) finds a conscience and builds himself a superhero suit. Whose Head is on the Block: Downey is not usually the hero type, which makes this a gamble for studio Paramount and director Jon Favreau. Hit or Miss? On the strength of that trailer alone, we think it's going to be mega. 
Speed RacerMay 9th 2008The Gist: Cult Japanese anime car racer series gets a big budget CGI/live action makeover with Emile Hirsch in the driving seat. Whose Head is on the Block: Writer-directors Larry and Andy Wachowski, whose own track record has been subpar of late with their involvent in V for Vendetta and The Invasion. Hit or Miss? It's just a hunch, but this one could crash and burn.
Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal SkullMay 22nd 2008The Gist: Plot details remain shrouded in secrecy. But Raiders 4 promises the same mixture of adventure thrills and humour as before. Whose Head is on the Block: Even with Shia LaBeouf on board to shore up the youth audience this will test if Harrison Ford still has what it takes at 65. (If he doesn't it would also be a serious embarrassment to producer George Lucas and director Steven Spielberg.) Hit or Miss? We can't see this team missing the mark - Indy is our bet for this summer's box office king.
The HappeningJune 13th 2008The Gist: A mysterious environmental catastrophe sweeps across the United States. Mark Wahlberg and co run for cover. Whose Head is on the Block: Writer director M Night Shyamalan is hoping to rebound after his last turkey, Lady in the Water. His billion dollar box-office record speaks for itself but Signs are he could be that he's repeating himself this time. Hit or Miss? The themes of homeland security and eco-disaster are certainly topical, and the trailer looks ominous in a good way. We're hoping that this ends happily, but with Shyamalan anything could happen.
The Incredible HulkJune 13th 2008The Gist: Scientist Bruce Banner tries not to lose his cool. Whose Head is on the Block: Edward Norton, who not only stars, but also wrote the screenplay. He's also reportedly butted heads with director Louis Leterrier (Unleashed) over the final cut. Hit or Miss? If Ang Lee and Eric Bana couldn't bulk sell the Hulk just 5 years ago, what makes Norton so special? Even so, it will likely beat The Happening on the opening weekend.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince CaspianJune 13th 2008The Gist: The Pevensies return to a very different, darker Narnia and meet a heroic mouse (voiced by Eddie Izzard) and the grumpy dwarf, Trumpkin (Peter Dinklage). Whose Head is on the Block:Whose Head is on the Block: Writer-director-producer Andrew Adamson will be more anxious after the failure in North America of the similarly fantastical Golden Compass. Hit or Miss? This should perform on a par with the first one. Prepare the Dawn Treader!
HancockJuly 2nd 2008The Gist: A superhero with a difference, Hancock (Will Smith) has fallen out of public favour after a series of unfortunate incidents. Then he develops feelings for the wife of his new PR guy (Jason Bateman). Whose Head is on the Block:The movie stands or falls on Will Smith. Hit or Miss? This looks to have all the ingredients we love in a summer blockbuster, with more originality than most. Boffo, for sure.
WALL-EJuly 18th 2008The Gist: An animated interstellar robot comedy from Pixar's Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, Monster's Inc). Whose Head is on the Block: The Pixar brand. Can it retain its 100 percent hit-rate? Hit or Miss? Eagerly anticipated by Pixar fans of all ages, this is going to be out of this world.
The Dark KnightJuly 25th 2008The Gist: Batman (Christian Bale) and DA Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) take on the sociopathic bank robber Joker (Heath Ledger) in Christopher Nolan's sequel to Batman Returns. Whose Head is on the Block: Warner's marketing team face the Heath Ledger problem - the Joker is obviously integral to the film's appeal, but will audiences be turned off after Ledger's tragic death? How dark is too dark? Hit or Miss? Batman Returns was the most substantial comic book movie of the decade, and judging by what we've seen already Ledger's out there performance will be another testament to his extraordinary talent. A hit.
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