Joker – Madness for Two
After committing a murder on live television, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix, reprising his Oscar-winning role) awaits trial in Arkham Asylum. There, he meets Harleen Quinzel, aka Lee (Lady Gaga), a music therapist who introduces him to love and music. Together, they wreak havoc, much to the delight of their fans. Director Todd Phillips (The Hangover, Old School) and co-writer Scott Silver are back, as is award-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir for Joker. Covers of many songs will be performed in this intriguing suite.
In theaters October 4
Venom – The Last Dance (VF: Venom – The Last Dance)
Third and apparently final chapter in the adventures of the Venom symbiote and its human host, Eddie Brock, starring Tom Hardy, The Last Dance sees the body-sharing duo on the run. On the one hand, military forces, led by a soldier played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, attempt to capture the pair, and then creatures from Venom’s planet land on Earth and try to catch them as well. Kelly Marcel, who contributed to the screenplay for the previous two films, is directing her feature film debut here. She worked with Tom Hardy on the writing of this one.
In theaters October 25
Wicked
The origins of the Wicked Witch of the West from the Marvel Universe The Wizard of Oz was first explored in a 1995 novel. It inspired a popular musical that paved the way for this film adaptation. Wicked is the first part of a diptych, the second part of which is expected next year. Directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, Step Up 2 And 3D), the film stars Cynthia Erivo as the green skin of Elphaba, who will become the Wicked Witch, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the future Good Witch of the South. Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum, as the Wizard of Oz, are also in the cast.
In theaters November 22
Gladiator II (VF: Gladiator II)
Winner of Best Picture at the 2001 Academy Awards, Gladiatorby Ridley Scott (Alien, Napoleon), left its mark with its intensity, the performances of its actors and the violence of its combats. The sequel, still directed by the venerable British filmmaker, picks up two decades later, when Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), grandson of the former emperor Marcus Aurelius, lives far from Rome with his family. Captured by the soldiers of General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius will follow in the footsteps of Maximus (Russell Crowe, in the original film) to free his people. Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger and Connie Nielsen, who reprises the role of Lucilla, are also in the credits.
In theaters November 22
Kraven the Hunter (VF: Kraven the Hunter)
Russell Crowe not expected to appear in Gladiator II – Maximus is dead, right? – but plays the ruthless father of Sergei Kravinoff, aka Kraven, in the film based on one of Spider-Man’s adversaries. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the antihero with the strength and agility of predatory animals. He uses his powers to hunt human vermin and destroy his father’s empire. Fred Hechinger plays his brother Dmitri, aka Chameleon, while Ariana DeBose is Calypso and Alessandro Nivola slips into the skin of Aleksei Sytsevich, aka Rhino. The film by JC Chandor (Triple Frontier, Margin Call) promises to be very violent.
In theaters December 13