Most Anticipated Movie Performances 2024: Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande
After a wild year that brought us an atomic bomb creator, a toy doll coming to life and an Indigenous woman’s fight for survival against her white husband, 2024 promises to be another exhilarating one with a slew of highly anticipated films and performances set to grace the silver screen. (See Variety’s most anticipated movies of 2024 for further proof)
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We’re going to have performers from long-awaited sequels (Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker: Folie à Deux”) and prequels (Anya Taylor-Joy in “Furiosa”), to anticipated biopics (Angelina Jolie in “Maria”) and original stories and characters (André Holland in “The Actor”). There are also performers from long-awaited adaptations (Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in “Wicked: Part One”) and ones from movies that have been finished shooting for quite some time (Mark Rylance in “The Way of the Wind”). Either way, the lineup is diverse and promising, and likely to cater to a wide array of cinephile’s tastes.
To share in the gleeful excitement of some of these titles, Variety ranks the 51 most anticipated performances of 2024. Read below.
Note: All release dates, titles and distributors are subject to change. To cover the greatest number of upcoming performances, only one actor is mentioned from any given movie.
Honorable mentions: Ana de Armas – “Ballerina” (Lionsgate); Millie Bobby Brown – “Damsel” (Netflix); Jessica Chastain – “Mothers’ Instinct” (Neon); Jodie Comer – “The Bikeriders” (Focus Features); Pete Davidson – “Wizards” (No U.S. Distribution); Ilana Glazer – “Babes” (Neon); Mia Goth – “MaXXXine” (A24); Dakota Johnson – “Madame Web” (Sony Pictures); Denis Lavant – “C’est Pas Moi” (No U.S. Distribution); James McAvoy – “Speak No Evil” (Universal Pictures); Wagner Moura – “Civil War” (A24)
50. Ryan Reynolds – ‘IF’
As expected, Ryan Reynolds is as busy as ever in 2024 with several projects allegedly in production but his most prominent are his third outing as Wade Wilson/Deadpool in Shawn Levy’s upcoming Marvel superhero film. However, I find myself most excited by his team-up with writer-director John Krasinski in the animation/live-action hybrid fantasy comedy “IF” from Paramount Pictures, playing the mysteriously named Man Upstairs.
49. Nicole Kidman – ‘Holland, Michigan’
Four Oscar noms later, including a win for “The Hours” (2002), it’s well-known that Nicole Kidman is one of the best in the game, with stellar performances in both film and television. In movies, it looks like a triple showing in cinemas this year with Richard LaGravenese’s rom-com “A Family Affair” on Netflix, providing voice work in Apple’s “Spellbound” and, most prominent, playing a woman who learns of her husband’s dark secrets in Mimi Cave’s “Holland, Michigan.”
48. Michael Keaton – ‘Beetlejuice 2’
Tim Burton’s 1988 horror-comedy is a staple of every 90s kid’s childhood (aka myself), and seeing Oscar nominee Michael Keaton (“Birdman”) reprise the role of the ghoulish and devious “bio-exorcist” is touching all the nostalgic bones. Along with original cast members Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara returning, this could be a surefire Warner Bros. moneymaker during the Labor Day weekend.
47. Regina King – ‘Shirley’
Academy Award winner Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”) is stepping back in front of the camera since her villainous Trudy Smith in the western “The Harder They Fall.” She’ll provide her interpretation of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, coming from Oscar-winning scribe John Ridley (“12 Years a Slave”) who also directs. Even though the film wrapped in 2022 and some re-shoots took place thereafter, the Netflix feature has been in a strange limbo, but the word on King has been great.
46. Tom Hardy – ‘Havoc’
In “Havoc,” Oscar nominee Tom Hardy (“The Revenant”) takes on a detective who must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician’s son. The action-thriller comes from the mind of director Gareth Evans, best known for “The Raid” franchise. Count me in.
45. Julianne Moore – ‘Echo Valley’
Coming off a phenomenal performance in Todd Haynes’ black comedy “May December,” Oscar winner Julianne Moore (“Still Alice”) is set to play a horse trainer coping with a personal tragedy in Apple’s “Echo Valley.” Co-starring Sydney Sweeney and Domhnall Gleeson, the film is helmed by “Encounter” director Michael Pearce with a script penned by Brad Inglesby, best known for HBO’s “Mare of Easttown.” I’m intrigued.
44. George Clooney – ‘Wolfs’
We sometimes forget the acting prowess of George Clooney, an Oscar winner for “Syriana,” who’s been more behind the camera as of late with films such as last year’s “The Boys in the Boat.” Re-teaming with his “Ocean’s 11” buddy Brad Pitt for Jon Watts’ thriller “Wolfs,” the two play professional fixers hired for the same job. The Apple and Sony Pictures co-distribution could be a huge hit.
43. Mikey Madison – ‘Anora’
The talented Mikey Madison made an impression as the secondary Ghostface killer in the fifth “Scream” film. It seems indie filmmaker Sean Baker, known for “The Florida Project” and “Red Rocket,” has noticed and cast her in his next comedy, which tells the story of sex workers in upstate New York and Las Vegas. Could be a breakout year if it hits the right notes.
42. Jacob Elordi – ‘On Swift Horses’
After delivering the one-two punch of “Saltburn” and “Priscilla,” Jacob Elordi’s star is taking off in a big way. His next role will be in the adaptation of Shannon Pufahl’s novel “On Swift Horses” alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter and Diego Calva. In the drama, he plays a young gambler who gets caught up in a dangerous love triangle. The 26-year-old star is also set to play a younger version of Richard Gere in Paul Schrader’s upcoming drama “Oh, Canada.”
41. Kevin Costner – ‘Horizon: An American Saga’
Oscar-winning Kevin Costner (“Dances with Wolves”) is producing, directing, writing and starring in his two-part event movie, with the first hitting theaters on June 28, to be concluded on Aug. 16. The story, which spans 15 years, focuses on settlers and Indigenous groups that first occupied the American west. You’d have to be curious since this may or may not have been the reason for his exit from the hit-series “Yellowstone.”
40. Tessa Thompson – ‘Hedda’
The next Nia DaCosta-directing joint is reimagining Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s “Hedda Gabler” from 1891, with the incredible Tessa Thompson portraying the titular character. Coming off the box office smash “Creed III,” the Afro-Latina has more than a few stunning performances under her belt with “Passing,” “Sylvie’s Love” and “Dear White People.” This could be one of Amazon MGM Studios’ big titles in the coming year.
39. Richard Gere – ‘Oh Canada’
One of the biggest movie stars of his time, Gere has continuously shown he’s has plenty to share with us, echoed by his work in smaller movies such as “Arbitrage,” “Time Out of Mind” and “The Dinner.” Not to mention, he’s owed an Oscar nom after his “Chicago” (2002) snub. This year, under the guidance of Paul Schrader, he’ll play tormented writer Leonard Fife, an American who fled to Canada to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Adapted from the book “Foregone” by Russell Banks, Jacob Elordi will play the younger version of his character, with Uma Thurman and Michael Imperioli also starring. Gere will also star in the English-language remake of Savi Gabizon’s 2017 Israeli film “Longing.”
38. Demi Moore – ‘The Substance’
I’ll take “Let’s have another ’90s star make a comeback for $2000,” Alex.
People often overlook Demi Moore, who has proven herself to be a very talented actress when given suitable material (see “Ghost” and “Bobby”). While the film’s status is unknown following the death of actor Ray Liotta during production, Moore’s co-star Margaret Qualley confirmed in an August 2022 interview that she was working on the body horror movie from French director Coralie Fargeat. Wouldn’t it be great to see her get her “Brendan Fraser Comeback” moment? Of course, horror is rarely the best genre to mount your comeback, but anything is possible.
37. Aaron Pierre – ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’
Voice acting is acting. The sooner Hollywood learns that, the better.
I’m excited about English actor Aaron Pierre’s reuniting with Barry Jenkins after working on the limited series “The Underground Railroad” for the musical prequel “Mufasa: The Lion King.” He’ll be playing the role of the young Lion King as Rafiki tells Simba and Nala’s daughter the story of her legendary grandfather, voiced by James Earl Jones in a 1994 animated classic. He’ll be joined by the talented Kelvin Harrison Jr. as the future murderer Scar. Pierre will also have a role in Jeremy Saulnier’s “Rebel Ridge,” replacing John Boyega.
36. Paul Mescal – ‘Gladiator 2’
The follow-up to the best picture winner “Gladiator,” the long-awaited Ridley Scott-helmed sequel is nearing the end of shooting in Malta with Irish star Paul Mescal leading the charge alongside Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal. Mescal is on a hot streak after his inaugural Oscar nom for 2022’s “Aftersun” with an acclaimed performance in the supernatural drama “All of Us Strangers” last year and a few other productions on the horizon. Could he follow in the footsteps of Russell Crowe, who won the Oscar for the first film? We’ll wait and see.
35. Rashida Jones – ‘In the Blink of an Eye’
Rashida Jones has impressed many years with rousing acting turns in “On the Rocks” and “Celeste and Jesse Forever.” Under the thumb of director Andrew Stanton (his first live-action outing since the disaster “John Carter” in 2012), this sci-fi drama, which follows three intertwined stories that explore the universe’s history, is rumored to be quite strong. Also stars Kate McKinnon and Daveed Diggs.
34. Robert DeNiro – ‘Alto Knights’
Likely to be coming off another Oscar nom for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” the two-time winning Robert DeNiro (“The Godfather Part II” and “Raging Bull”) has a meaty role in Barry Levinson’s crime-biopic “Alto Knights,” playing dual roles as Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans who run two separate crime families in the mid-20th century. Due out in November, the Warner Bros. epic could be a top priority.
33. Ryan Destiny – ‘Flint Strong’
We’ve patiently awaited Rachel Morrison’s directorial debut “Flint Strong.” After becoming the first woman to receive an Oscar nomination for best cinematography (“Mudbound”), she set her sights on this sports drama written by Oscar-winning scribe Barry Jenkins (“Moonlight”), which tells the story of Flint, Michigan boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, who became the first woman from her country to win an Olympic gold medal in the sport. Ryan Destiny, best known for her roles on TV’s “Star” and “Grown-ish” could be the breakout in the Amazon MGM title.
32. Jude Law – ‘The Order’
It’s been a while since Jude Law’s two Oscar nominations for “The Talented Mr. Ripley” (1998) and “Cold Mountain” (2004). Perhaps teaming up with auteur Justin Kurzel for his crime thriller about an FBI agent tracking down robbers and domestic terrorists could do the trick. Written by Oscar-nominated scribe Zach Baylin (“King Richard”), “The Order” also stars Alison Oliver and Nicholas Hoult. Law has another role in the period drama “Firebrand” with Alicia Vikander, which premiered at Cannes in 2023.
31. Sanaa Lathan – ‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’
The entire cast of Tina Mabry’s adaptation of “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat” excites me. Boasting an all-star cast that includes Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”) and Emmy winner Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”), I’m feeling eager to see star Sanaa Lathan’s work, especially since the script was co-written by her “Love and Basketball” helmer Gina Prince-Bythewood. Wouldn’t that be amazing to see them nabbing Oscar noms together for this Searchlight drama?
30. Jesse Plemons – ‘Kinds of Kindness’
Formerly known as “And,” Searchlight Pictures is re-teaming with Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone (following “The Favourite” and “Poor Things”) for this mysteriously unknown film now titled “Kinds of Kindness.” With so little known about it, I’m keen to see Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons (“The Power of the Dog”), who is also coming off his brief but powerful work in “Killers of the Flower Moon,” get some scenery to chew on.
29. Brandy Norwood – ‘The Front Room’
More than 25 years since Brandy Norwood gave ’90s kids her unforgettable “Moesha,” the actor and singer is set to star in her next film outing, “The Front Room.” Also starring Kathryn Hunter (“The Tragedy of Macbeth” and “Poor Things”), the horror-thriller, co-directed by Robert Eggers’ brothers Max and Sam Eggers, tells the story of a pregnant couple who is forced to take in their estranged stepmother. Inject this one into my veins immediately.
28. Barry Keoghan – ‘Bird’
Another movie where the plot is unknown, having a name like Barry Keoghan, coming off his Oscar nom for “The Banshees of Inisherin” and his bathtub-slurping work in “Saltburn,” this A24 produced British drama will see the Irish actor sharing the screen with “Passages” breakout star Franz Rogowski in a film written and directed by Oscar winner Andrea Arnold (best live action short for 2005’s “Wasp”).
27. Emilia Jones – ‘Winner’
It’s been three years since Emilia Jones starred in the best picture winner “CODA.” Her next big venture is in a satirical version of NSA contractor Reality Winner, who leaked classified files. Obviously, the comparisons to Sydney Sweeney’s acclaimed work in the film “Reality” will be at the forefront; it’s said the Susanna Fogel-directed flick is an entirely different take that will have people talking.
26. Nicholas Hoult – ‘Juror No. 2’
We’re getting a great present later this year.
Nicholas Hoult will be reuniting with his “About a Boy” co-star Toni Collette in Clint Eastwood’s directed thriller “Juror No. 2.” In the film, he plays Justin Kemp, a juror serving on a murder trial who realizes he may be at fault for the victim’s death. Alongside a talented ensemble that includes Kiefer Sutherland, Chris Messina, J.K. Simmons, and Zoey Deutch, this will add another notch to his year that will consist of three other movies — “The Garfield Movie,” “The Order” and “Nosferatu.”
25. Noémie Merlant – ‘Emmanuelle’
French actress Noémie Merlant is taking on the titular character in Audrey Diwan’s erotic drama inspired by Emmanuelle Arsan’s novel, which was made into a 1974 film of the same name, centering on a woman and the series of erotic fantasies that she entertains.
Merlant has been quietly adding multiple impressive performances each year since breaking out on the American scene in the drama “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” following it up with films like “Paris, 13th District” and “Tár.” She also performs well in the Kate Winslet war biopic “Lee,” which will add to the discussion surrounding her this year.
24. Jenna Ortega – ‘Death of a Unicorn’
Emmy-nominated star Jenna Ortega is on a roll. Five projects are on her docket, three of which she’s also executive producing. The one that has my eye is her role in the A24 dark comedy “Death of a Unicorn” from writer and director Alex Scharfman, which follows the events after a man (played by Paul Rudd) and his teenage daughter accidentally crash into a unicorn.
Still, feel free to be keen for her upcoming works in “Beetlejuice 2,” “Miller’s Girl, “Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall” or the still-untitled film from Trey Edward Shults. This Latina isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
23. Michaela Coel – ‘Mother Mary’
“I May Destroy You” won Michaela Coel a writing Emmy, but we know her potential as an actress will turn a few heads when given the opportunity. She’ll be starring in the epic melodrama, “Mother Mary,” with Oscar winner Anne Hathaway, which follows the relationship of a musician and a fashion designer. Coming from writer and director David Lowery, the auteur has delivered four dynamic and incredible features thus far — “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints,” “A Ghost Story,” “The Old Man and the Gun” and “The Green Knight.” This A24-produced movie could be another banger.
22. Zendaya – ‘Challengers’
Another Luca Guadagnino flick, this time with Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a tennis player amid a steamy love triangle between Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor. I’m not sure the collective world will be able to handle all the hotness exuding from the film’s first trailer, but we must endure witnessing the two-time Emmy winner of “Euphoria” further cement her place in the big leagues with this MGM rom-com and the fantasy spectacle “Dune: Part Two.”
21. Adam Driver – ‘Megalopolis’
Francis Ford Coppola’s self-funded sci-fi epic “Megalopolis” will be on our lips until it finally bows (hopefully later this year?). We know very little about the roles the bombastic cast will be portraying, so why not circle two-time Oscar nominee Adam Driver, fresh off his incredible work in “Ferrari.” Follow up one legendary director (Michael Mann) with another.
20. Tilda Swinton – ‘The End’
Listen up, and come closer.
Tilda Swinton is starring in an apocalyptic musical film from Joshua Oppenheimer, the director of the documentary “The Act of Killing,” which tells the story of a wealthy family who live in an underground bunker for two decades after the world ends which they caused.
It also stars George MacKay, Moses Ingrahm and Michael Shannon.
Enough said.
19. Robert Pattinson – ‘Mickey 17’
Robert Pattinson is more than Edward Cullen and “The Batman.”
We’ve known this thanks to knockout performances in films such as “The Rover,” “Good Time” and “The Lighthouse.” That was enough for “Parasite” helmer Bong Joon-ho to cast him as Mickey Barnes, a disposable employee on a human expedition sent to colonize an ice world. Based on the science fiction book “Mickey7,” Joon-ho adds a “one” to the title, along with a killer cast that includes Steven Yeun, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo and Naomi Ackie. Despite being a March release, in the same month as “Dune Part II,” Warner Bros. has shown to be expert jugglers with multiple hits in the past.
18. Naomi Ackie – ‘Pussy Island’
Showing to be a force in Netflix’s comedy series “Master of None,” Naomi Ackie will be steered under the guidance of Zo? Kravitz in her feature screenwriting and directorial debut “Pussy Island.” It tells the story of a cocktail waitress who becomes infatuated with a tech mogul and travels with him to his private island. Also starring in the film are Channing Tatum, Simon Rex, Christian Slater and Geena Davis.
17. Joaquin Phoenix – ‘Polaris’
We can always have a few Joaquin Phoenix movies in a given year. It’s evident that everyone is ecstatic about him returning to the role of Arthur Fleck in the superhero-villain story “Joker: Folie à Deux.” However, I can barely contain my excitement for his reunion with his “You Were Never Really Here” director Lynne Ramsay for the film “Polaris.”
Starring his wife, Rooney Mara, the period drama in 1890s Alaska tells the story of an ice photographer who meets the devil. We don’t know which role either actor will play, but we know that he’ll give it his all, like with any of his movie roles.
16. Caitríona Balfe – ‘The Amateur’
After being shockingly snubbed for her acclaimed turn in Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast,” Irish star Caitríona Balfe is shaking it off with a role in director James Hawes’ adaptation of the novel of the same name. It tells the story of a CIA cryptographer (Rami Malek) who loses his wife in a London terrorist attack and blackmails the agency into training him to go after the culprits. Coming off the seventh season of Starz’s hit show “Outlander,” she’ll also be in Oscar nominee Sean Hellis’ upcoming boxing thriller “The Cut,” which also stars Orlando Bloom.
15. Kingsley Ben-Adir – ‘Bob Marley: One Love’
After blazing onto the scene in Regina King’s directorial debut “One Night in Miami” as Malcolm X, British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir even managed to steal the show as one of the Kens who “carries too much stuff” in Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster hit “Barbie.” Under the vision of “King Richard” director Reinaldo Marcus Green and Paramount Pictures, he takes on the life of Jamaican music legend Bob Marley and his rise to fame. Based on the trailer and multiple sources, he’s said to truly “embody the spirit” of the legendary musician. The film also stars Lashana Lynch, who plays Marley’s wife, Rita.
14. Lily-Rose Depp – ‘Nosferatu’
Christmas Day is about to be so lit.
Writer and director Robert Eggers will offer his gothic horror version of the titular vampire “Nosferatu,” with Bill Skarsg?rd leading the charge and Focus Features. Marking the second remake of the 1922 German film, this also features Lily-Rose Depp in her first film role after HBO’s summer “hate-watch” drama series “The Idol.” Her first movie role since her 2021 four-peter crime thrillers and horror flicks, the 24-year-old could have the perfect role that showcases her range.
13. Angelina Jolie – ‘Maria’
Legendary opera singer Maria Callas is getting the Pablo Larraín treatment with Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie (“Girl, Interrupted”) set to take on a reimagined version of her final days in 1970s Paris. Larraín has offered exciting and moving re-imaginings of historical figures such as Natalie Portman in “Jackie” and Kristen Stewart in “Spencer,” both of which received Oscar noms for best actress. With scribe Steven Knight, Jolie’s talents will be front and center in her first role since 2021’s “Eternals.”
12. Sebastian Stan – ‘A Different Man’
Movie-goers love a transformation, and from the early photos of Sebastian Stan in Aaron Schimberg’s psychological thriller, we’re about to witness a powerful story about a man that undergoes facial reconstructive surgery and becomes obsessed with an actor that will play him on a stage production of his life. With a proven track record of understanding the nuances of various characters, like his Emmy-nominated turn in Hulu’s “Pam and Tommy,” this upcoming Sundance premiere, could have the goods to solidify his place in the film world.
11. Marisa Abela – ‘Back to Black’
The upcoming biopic of Amy Winehouse, named after her famed album, will feature English actress Marisa Abela starring as the renowned musician. Best known for roles in HBO’s “Industry,” the Focus Features drama will be directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. A Winehouse biopic has had multiple iterations in Hollywood, dating back to right after the singer’s death in 2011, with people like Noomi Rapace once attached. A talented cast, such as Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, and Lesley Manville, will help elevate her status.
10. Mark Rylance – ‘The Way of the Wind’
You can never bank on a Terrence Malick movie either making to theaters in a specific year, or that an actor’s role will even be in the final version (i.e., “The Thin Red Line”).
In this biblical tale chronicling several moments in the life of Jesus Christ (played by Géza R?hrig), it’s said Oscar winner Mark Rylance (“Bridge of Spies”) will be portraying Satan, which seems too delicious to ignore. Let’s hope we can see it this year (despite it shooting in 2019).
9. Saoirse Ronan – ‘Blitz’
At 29, Saoirse Ronan has already amassed four Oscar nominations — “Atonement” (2007), “Brooklyn” (2015), “Lady Bird” (2017) and “Little Women” (2019). While her last few outings didn’t lighten up the awards circuit (see “Foe”), seeing her team up with director Steve McQueen for his upcoming historical drama “Blitz” has already been generating buzz. One source who has seen early footage from the film describes it as the historical drama that looks at a group of Londoners during the British capital bombing in World War II as “beautifully controlled.”
While it’s unknown what Ronan’s specific role she’s playing in the drama, Variety is told, it will be “one that truly surprises you.”
The Irish starlet will also be promoting another drama later this year, “The Outrun” from director Nora Fingscheidt.
8. Andrew Garfield – ‘We Live in Time’
After nabbing his second Oscar nom for the musical “Tick, Tick … Boom!” in 2021, English star Andrew Garfield took a brief break in the film world as he explored roles in television with FX’s “Under the Banner of Heaven.” Co-starring with Florence Pugh in John Crowley’s romantic drama “We Live in Time,” the plot has been kept under wraps, but with the backing of A24, perhaps this can follow in the footsteps of other successful indie dramas from the studio like “Past Lives.” The script is written by Nick Payne, who’s previous works have included “The Sense of an Ending” and a two episodes of “The Crown.”
7. Anya Taylor-Joy – ‘Furiosa’
It can’t be easy to step into the shoes of Charlize Theron’s iconic Furiosa from George Miller’s wasteland epic “Mad Max: Fury Road.” But if anyone can do it, it’s Emmy winner Anya Taylor-Joy, who shaved her head to play the role of the fierce war captain in this prequel story. Add hunks Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke to the equation, and you’ll see theaters sold out when it’s released in May by Warner Bros.
6. André Holland – ‘The Actor’
After making a splash on the scene in the Oscar-winning “Moonlight,” we’ve been waiting for Hollywood to get its act together and afford a great actor such as Holland a meaty role to sink his teeth into. Enter Duke Johnson, the Oscar-nominated co-director behind the animated feature “Anomalisa,” giving the esteemed performer the role of a man struggling with memory loss in the 1950s. With distributor Neon backing, let’s get the man front and center all year long.
5. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – ‘Wicked: Part One’
We get two witches for the price of one.
Universal Pictures will give the world the long-awaited musical adaptation of the Tony Award-winning “Wicked,” which will be split into two films. The first installment will drop in Nov. 2024, likely concluding with Cynthia Erivo belting out the showstopping number “Defying Gravity” as Elphaba, the green-skinned and future Wicked Witch of the West. It’s the role that won Idina Menzel, who originated the Broadway version, a Tony for best actress in a musical.
But don’t put all the eggs in the “gravity” basket. If the movie follows the structure of Act 1, we’ll see superstar Ariana Grande bringing physical comedy and bubbly enthusiasm as Glinda in the foot-tapping number “Popular.” Originated by Kristen Chenoweth, it was an undeniable highlight of the production.
If Erivo and Grande can mimic (or reinvent) the palpable energy Menzel and Chenoweth shared, we may see another female-led movie leading the box office by the end of 2024.
4. Hugh Jackman – ‘Deadpool 3’
Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine, is alive and well in what easily can be labeled the most anticipated superhero movie of the year, tentatively titled “Deadpool 3” from Marvel Studios. Hugh Jackman will reprise his famed X-Men character and share the screen with his social media BFF Ryan Reynolds, which will find the two likely quarreling and delivering an endless amount of one-line-zingers. With Reynolds sharing a screenplay credit, you know he’ll have the Oscar-nominated actor (“Les Misérables”) saying some unforgettable and self-deprecating lines. Hopefully, the 8,000 calories a day were worth it, Hugh.
3. Pedro Pascal – ‘Freaky Tales’
Coming off his triple Emmy noms for “The Last of Us,” “Saturday Night Live” and “Patagonia,” the star-power of Pedro Pascal continues to rise exponentially with a year that will include four movie roles — the Nadia Connors’ comedy “The Univited,” Ethan Coen’s solo-directorial debut “Drive Away Dolls,” Ridley Scott’s epic sequel “Gladiator 2” and most prominent, his upcoming turn in Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s “Freaky Tales,” set to premiere at Sundance. An anthology story depicting four interconnected stories from 1987 in Oakland, California, can often be hit or miss, but I’m excited to see Pascal guided by the team that brought us “Half Nelson.”
2. Lady Gaga – ‘Joker: Folie à Deux’
The stakes were already high when it was announced Todd Phillips would helm the next installment to his Oscar-winning “Joker” (2019), which nabbed two of its 11 leading noms, including best actor (Joaquin Phoenix) and original score (Hildur Guenadóttir). Add megastar Lady Gaga taking on the role of the eccentric Harley Quinn (played once exquisitely by Margot Robbie) in this rumored musical adaptation, and the anticipation for her take on the title character’s henchwoman has put this into overdrive. Perhaps another acting nod to accompany her “A Star Is Born” (2018) one? Early buzz suggests so.
1. Daniel Craig – ‘Queer’
Italian director Luca Guadgnino has done wonders with actors in surprisingly unconventional roles (see Mark Rylance in “Bones and All”). After his sports dramedy “Challengers” drops in April, his next cinematic endeavor will explore Daniel Craig, playing an American fugitive in 1940s Mexico City who becomes infatuated with a discharged Navy serviceman (played by Drew Starkey). Adapted from the book by William S. Burroughs, the potential of this role hints at what many have known: Craig is capable of something more challenging beyond roles like Benoit Blanc and James Bond (albeit they are great). Sprinkle in co-stars like Lesley Manville, and this has the potential to be the most significant role in his already colossal career.
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