Coming Soon: 2022
Let's talk about the rest of the movies coming out this year.
It is insane to think about, but 2022 is 1/3 of the way to being over. Time drags on and we are all slowly marching toward the day when we will shuffle off this mortal coil. On the bright side, there’s gonna be some sick-ass movies to watch soon.
This year has already given us a ton of quality films in the first four months and it’s a good time to be a movie fan. During the first parts of the pandemic, a lot of movies that were originally slated to be released were delayed or pushed back to 2021 or 2022. I remember all the way back in 2020 (lol) being frustrated that a lot of the movies I wanted to see were getting pushed. 2022 seemed so far away, but now it’s here and those movies that seemed far away are allegedly coming out this year.
I am once again teaming up with my good friend Stephanie Mill to discuss our most anticipated upcoming releases for the rest of the year. Some call us cinephiles, but we prefer the term Movie Sluts™️ (non-derogatory). You might remember that we did this last year and it’s pretty fun to look back to see what our most anticipated movies were and how we actually felt about some of them after seeing them because some of them were bad.
A couple of small housekeeping things. If the film has a trailer available, I’ll link it to the title. Some of them don’t have set premiere dates outside of just “2022, maybe” but we’ll try and give you as much info as we can.
Let’s make a damn list. We got a lot of movies on this one! It’s the Movie Slut way.
Movie: The Northman
Alleged Release Date: April 22nd
Why We’re Excited: Robert Eggers is without a doubt one of the coolest working directors, giving us the gifts that were The VVitch and The Lighthouse. He’s now giving us another tale that likely requires subtitles - a story told in what looks like two parts. First, a young boy witnessing his father’s death and his mother’s kidnapping at the hands of his uncle, followed by the young boy growing into a hot man (Skarsgard, hello) to a) avenge father, b) save mother, and c) kill uncle. I’ve been waiting for this for a year and I will be seeing it on opening night. - Steph
Robert Eggers whips nuts. THE LIGHTHOUSE sits in my top 10 favorite movies on any given day and THE VVITCH is cool because he uses two V’s to make a W. Have you seen the trailer for this movie? You can, it’s linked right up there. The Skarsgard brother (I can’t remember which one, but he’s one of them) has, no joke, 12 abs. I also think the trailer is a misdirect and I can’t wait to see what the movie actually is. I’ve had this one marked since I saw the poster. - Saul
Movie: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Alleged Release Date: April 22nd
Why We’re Excited: Massive Talent follows Nicolas Cage (playing himself) as he is hired for a millionaire’s birthday party, only to find out the birthday boy (Pedro Pascal) is in a drug cartel. Plans change slightly as Cage teams up with the CIA (Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz) to take him down, taking on his most iconic roles along the way. Not much more I look forward to in a flick than an opportunity for Nic Cage to simply be Nic Cage. If you’re NOT looking forward to this movie, then you must hate having fun. - Steph
When I first heard the synopsis of this movie, I thought I was being punked. It sounds like a movie they would make on 30 ROCK. But no, this movie is somehow real. As posited by an amazing episode of COMMUNITY: Is Nic Cage good? Is Nic Cage bad? The answer is neither: he simply is. I cannot wait to get in the cage with this one. Pedro Pascal doing comedy is something we should all embrace and putting Tiffany Haddish in your movie is always alright by me. - Saul
Movie: Doctor Strange & The Multiverse of Madness
Alleged Release Date: April 22nd
Why We’re Excited: Marvel movies can be a good time when you don’t got a bitch in ya ear telling you how they’re ruining cinema.
In all seriousness, I think this excursion is going to be a lot of fun. We’ve already seen what dividends turning to the multiverse can pay (SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME, LOKI) and I’m very excited to see what Sam Raimi has in store for us. Maybe mutants! It’s also, reportedly, the shortest Marvel film to date! Let’s go! Editing is back! - Saul
Movie: Men
Alleged Release Date: May 20th
Why We’re Excited: Alex Garland (Annihilation, Ex-Machina) directs Jessie Buckley (queen of everything she touches) in the scariest movie plot I can think of: being a lone woman in an unfamiliar place and likely being stalked. I’m sure there will be layers upon layers to unpack beyond that premise, but honestly, I think this is going to be my Joker. Except I will be much, much worse. - Steph
*John Mulaney Voice* Ugh, MEN.
Jessie Buckley can simply do no wrong and I do not expect her to start with this one either. This movie carries Garland’s trademark unease and tension from the start of the trailer alone. Both EX-MACHINA and ANNIHILATION (along with Garland’s TV show DEVS) sit very high in my estimation. I can’t wait to watch this one through my fingers and then go home and feel bad about myself. It’s gonna rule. - Saul
Title: Top Gun: Maverick
Alleged Release Date: May 27th
Why We’re Excited: This movie was on the 2021 version of this very list, so I’m going to copy and paste my blurb from it. Work smarter not harder baby!
There’s something to be said for the big-ass summer blockbuster and I think this one is going to fit the bill quite nicely. I know that just last newsletter, I was complaining about sequels and IP and blah blah blah, but I’m a sucker for a movie star and Tom Cruise is a movie STAR. He’s returning as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and training a new set of recruits that includes Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (played by Miles Teller) who just so happens to be the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose” (RIP). It’s also got Glen Powell, who rocks ass.
Quick aside: I got to go to the Super Bowl (flex) and Miles Teller was also there because he was promoting this movie because it was supposed to be released last year (2020). We ended up being on the same pee schedule because I peed next to him twice. I obviously thought this was funny so I did a tweet about it. Well, that tweet got picked up by a podcast that ended up asking Miles Teller if he remembered a guy peeing next to him and he said yes so if you think about it, we’re basically boys. - Saul
Title: Elvis
Alleged Release Date: June 24th
Why We’re Excited: Let me be clear. I am excited about this movie, but I don’t know if I’m looking forward to it. I’ll explain a little bit. Baz Luhrman is so hot and cold for me as a filmmaker that it’s borderline insanity for me to think I have a handle on what this movie will be. I love the trailer and Austin Butler totally stole the show for me as Tex in ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD. This movie could rock. It could be a trainwreck. I want a ticket either way. - Saul
Title: Thor: Love and Thunder
Alleged Release Date: July 8th
Why We’re Excited: Unfortunately, there will be 2 more Marvel movies on this list including this one :(
Taika Waititi really unlocked the character of Thor in THOR: RAGNAROK. He’s back again to let Chris Hemsworth cook as Funny Thor and I could not be more excited. This movie also features a whole gaggle of other cool, famous people that I don’t feel like typing out but you can read the Wikipedia page about it.
Waititi really found something special with the ingredients he was given last go ’round and I think he’s going to do the same here. I’m not expecting to have my mind blown, but I’m expecting to have a good time at the movies and sometimes that’s enough. - Saul
Title: NOPE
Alleged Release Date: July 8th
Why We’re Excited: I’m pretty sure I don’t need to explain this one. I straight up couldn’t ask for a better cast for an alien (??) horror movie than Daniel Kaluuya, Tiffany Haddish, and Steven Yeun. Thank you, Jordan Peele. No further comments. - Steph
If you haven’t heard NOPE, allegedly stands for Not Of Planet Earth. It’s rare these days that a movie is a must-see because of its director, not its cast. Don’t get me wrong, this cast is stacked (Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Daniel Kaluuya), but Jordan Peele has unquestionably turned his movies into events. He hasn’t let me down yet. I’m in. - Saul
Title: Bullet Train
Alleged Release Date: July 29th
Why We’re Excited: I wish I could watch this movie right now. It’s everything I like. It’s an action movie centered around a mysterious briefcase set on a speeding train (a bullet train, if you will) and it stars Brad Pitt and Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor Johnson, and also Bad Bunny (???). That’s a bingo. I think it has one of the best trailers of the year. That Staying Alive cover rips. Again, I think they should put this movie out now instead of waiting till almost August. Just my thoughts though. - Saul
Title: Bodies, Bodies, Bodies
Alleged Release Date: August 5th
Why We’re Excited: A24 and indie/prestige horror films are becoming quite the juggernaut when it comes to films I enjoy. I most recently watched the Ti West joint X and had a blast and their repertoire also features heavy hitters HEREDITARY and MIDSOMMAR. This one features a fun cast including Lee Pace, Pete Davidson, and Working Title favorite Rachel Sennot (from last year’s masterpiece of tension SHIVA BABY). I wish I knew more about this one but I’m just counting on my past experience here. - Saul
Title: Don’t Worry Darling
Alleged Release Date: September 23rd
Why We’re Excited: I really liked Booksmart, so I do have faith in Olivia Wilde as a director, however, I would be a liar if I ignored the fact that I’m anticipating a Harry Styles sex scene. He’s 28, OKAY? It’s fine. I’m fine. - Steph
I really liked Booksmart, so I do have faith in Olivia Wilde as a director, however, I would be a liar if I ignored the fact that I’m anticipating a Harry Styles sex scene. He’s 28, OKAY? It’s fine. I’m fine. - Steph - Saul
Title: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)
Alleged Release Date: October 7th
Why We’re Excited: Four (!!!) years ago, I walked into a theater to see SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE expecting to have a good time with an animated Spider-Man movie and try out this new thing called the AMC A-LIST. Two things happened. One, I discovered how much the A-List rocks, sign up for that shit if you live near an AMC. And two, I got a new favorite Spider-Man movie. It’s still my favorite, and I mean that with all sincerity. I remember hearing the sequel was coming in 2022 and thinking “holy shit, I’m gonna be 32.” Now, I’m almost 32 and still stupid excited for this one.
Embarrassing story: I went and saw MORBIUS last week (I know, but I was, like, SO high) and the 3-minute trailer for this movie was better than the entire film of MORBIUS. - Saul
Title: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Alleged Release Date: November 11th
Why We’re Excited: I promise that this is the last superhero movie on this list, but I also find it one of the more intriguing offerings we have. Things are looking a little bleak due to a troubled production and, of course, the untimely loss of Chadwick Boseman.
Those two things are definitely reasons to give anyone pause about whether this movie will be any good. But I trust Ryan Coogler and I’m very excited to see what he cooks up. Who will be the new Black Panther? Will there even be one? Will Winston Duke get more screentime? Winston Duke should get more screentime. - Saul
Title: The Fablemans
Alleged Release Date: November 23rd
Why We’re Excited: I am a bit of a mark for a Hollywood icon making a personal story and brother, we got a doozy. This is Stephen Spielberg teaming up once again with Tony Kushner (the biggest of shoutouts to last year’s remake of WEST SIDE STORY. That movie is good as hell) for a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama film about Spielberg’s own upbringing in post-war Arizona from ages 7 to 18. It stars Seth Rogen as his cool, fun uncle.
Sometimes it’s good to embrace the movie taste of a 52-year-old man. - Saul
Title: Babylon
Alleged Release Date: December 25th
Why We’re Excited: Damien Chazelle (Whiplash, La La Land) has managed to convince both Margot Robbie and Samara Weaving to be in the same movie (maybe one is the other’s understudy? Since they are, y’know, twins?) which is already a lot to handle. Then he’s throwing Brad Pitt in the mix, and putting them all in old Hollywood when movies were transitioning from silent films to talkies. I was digging around online for more info and a random person on Letterboxd said they found a leaked draft of the script from 2019, and they read it, and it’s amazing. Called it “the anti-La La Land” in the best way possible. It took me all of 30 seconds to find the script to confirm it’s THAT easily accessible. I’m not saying you should read it, but if you wanted to… you’re welcome.
If all you know of Damien Chazell is LA LA LAND, then I really encourage you to spend some time with both WHIPLASH and FIRST MAN. Chazelle makes really, really solid movies and this one seems ready-made to make a huge splash. Besides all the cool people Steph mentioned above, it’s also got former P*ssy Posse member Tobey Maguire as an executive producer and making an appearance in the film. Pretty bold to try to upstage Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on his birthday, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Brad Pitt and Margot Robey. Also, did not know about that script thing. - Saul
Title: Bones and All
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Let’s walk through a timeline here. Luca Guadagnino makes Call Me By Your Name starring Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Armie is outed as potentially a cannibal, or at least kinky for cannibalism. Armie is canceled. Luca wants to make another movie. He reunites with Timothee sans Armie (obviously). They make Bones and All. Bones. And. All. Yes, that’s right. A movie about cannibalism. I am grinning ear to ear. - Steph
Title: Women Talking
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: I don’t even CARE if this is Oscar bait, because, in turn, it is also Stephanie Mill bait. Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand, and Rooney Mara star as Mennonite women struggling with their faith as they endure various sexual assaults at the hands of the men in their isolated Bolivian colony. Tragic, heavy, and yeah, probably full of award-worthy performances. Poor Jessie Buckley - having a rough time with Men this year. - Steph
If I wanted to see women talking I’d go hang out at my mom’s book clu- *I am forcibly removed from stage and thrown so violently out of the building that I ragdoll for a full city block*
This movie looks amazing and also the sexual assault might be at the hands of DEMONS?? But most likely it’s just men. Also, I have a friend who’s a Mennonite named Brady. Hope he’s doing well. - Saul
Title: The Whale
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Darren Aronofsky returns to the director’s chair for the first time since 2017’s mother! to bring us some more religious allegories, I’m sure. The Whale stars none other than 90s heartthrob Brendan Fraser as the whale aka a 600-pound man trying to eat himself to death. Some various other proficient actors try to save him, but honestly, aren’t we all here for the Brendan Fraser resurgence?
We are here almost exclusively for the Brendanissance - Saul
Title: See How They Run
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: I know nothing about this except that it stars Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell in a 1950s murder fuckin’ mystery!!!! The only photo I’ve seen has Ronan in a little inspector cap and that’s enough to melt my ice-cold heart. - Steph
Title: Poor Things
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Yorgos Lanthimos is back again to fuck me right up with a plot that I don’t fully follow and probably won’t fully follow until I’m two-thirds of the way into the movie holding my popcorn in front of my face going “what the fuck” and even then I likely won’t fully grasp what’s happening. At least I will be doing that while I’m watching Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, and McLovin on the ol’ big screen.
Hadn’t even heard of this one until Steph sent me her writeups but I too am now excited to watch the movie where I have no idea what’s going on. - Saul
Title: Blonde
Alleged Release Date: Sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Ana de Armas stars as freaking Marilyn Monroe in this NC-17 rated biopic. Yes, NC-17 is the keyword here. Release date TBD, could be 2023, but I’m patiently waiting. - Steph
There’s always gotta be one horny movie on the list. This is the ONE. We saw De Armas bring the heat (?) in DEEP WATER. Let’s see if she can keep the momentum up. - Saul
Title: White Noise
Alleged Release Date: Sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Another Noah Baumbach flick where he casts Adam Driver to play his hotter self… except this time as a Hitler professor. Don’t ask me any questions, that’s all I got up my sleeve. Greta Gerwig also stars, naturally, because Baumbach just can’t let the past go. - Steph
I read this book last summer and loved it. It features a Professor of Hitler Studies and an Airborne Toxic Event that is so indescribably vague that I cannot figure out how they’re going to film it. I can’t wait. Also, Noah once again has cast Greta Gerwig in one of his movies. We gotta get this guy some help. Adam Driver must intervene. - Saul
Title: Killers of the Flower Moon
Alleged Release Date: Sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: Another highly anticipated Scorsese flick is on the way starring Leo DiCaprio, Bobby De Niro, Jesse Plemons, and SURPRISE - Brendan Fraser. Another movie for the boys with maybe a little tiny woman character who is simply worried about one of the men mentioned above <3 - Steph
This is my way-too-early pick for Best Picture Oscar 2023. The Brendanissance is in full swing. The Jesse Plemmons Hive is eating. Leo is gonna be there too. Big Dick Bobby directing. They’re gonna give it every award they can. - Saul
Title: Knives Out 2
Alleged Release Date: sometime in 2022, maybe
Why We’re Excited: I don’t even think this has begun filming yet but that hasn’t stopped me from starting my Oscar campaign for Kathryn Hahn’s Oscar campaign. - Steph
The Knives Are Back Out!!! - Saul
There’s a lot of good stuff on the docket for 2022 and into 2023 and I love that people are getting back into movies again. Special shoutout to Steph for contributing to the list. If you like her writing, follow her on Twitter here. You can find me on Twitter as well. If you like this or any other editions of Working Title please consider sharing with your friends via the button below. See ya next time.