While sequels to “Star Wars,” “Batman” and “Harry Potter” figure to dominate the box office this year, there are at least 10 movies that will generate more discussion around the water cooler – and a couple may even make more money. Of course, last year at this time, Clint Eastwood hadn’t even started shooting “Million Dollar Baby.”
For now, at least, get ahead of the crowd with this first look at the 2005 movies that should have everyone talking:
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Release date: May 6
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Eva Green
Story: Set near the end of the Crusades, a Christian Knight leads the defense of Jerusalem against a Muslim siege while dallying with the king’s daughter.
Buzz: Though it’s a conventional sword-and-sandal epic, the violence between Christians and Muslims will push some hot buttons – with images of Muslims attacking churches and tearing down the cross and mocking it.
MR. AND MRS. SMITH
Release date: June 10
Director: Doug Liman
Cast: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie
Story: A happily married suburban couple is tested when each learns that the other is a professional assassin and that they have competing bosses.
Buzz: At what moment did Angelina come between Brad and Jennifer? Will closeups tell? Curious heads will be spinning.
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Release date: June 29
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins
Story: Adapted from H.G. Wells’ 1889 novella about the invasion of Earth by smart, well-equipped and very evil Martians.
Buzz: With life on Mars now more likely than ever, and the story updated to the present, it’s sure to cause a spike in the number of reported UFO abductions.
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Release date: Oct. 7
Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger
Story: Adapted from E. Annie Proulx’s short story about a ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy who fall in love while sheepherding in 1963 Wyoming (much to the relief of the sheep).
Buzz: Can Lee redeem himself for “The Hulk,” and will red-staters turn out for movie about gay cowboys on their own turf?
THE NEW WORLD
Release date: Nov. 9
Director: Terrence Malick
Cast: Colin Farrell, Christian Bale
Story: Malick’s script is said to stick closely to the historical record in reenacting the tenuous relationship between British colonists and Native Americans in 1607 Jamestown.
Buzz: Lawyers fearing a run-in with child pornography laws compelled Malick to reshoot a love scene between Farrell’s John Smith and 14-year-old Q’Orianka Kilcher’s Pocahontas, who was, in fact, 12 at the time.
KING KONG
Release date: Dec. 14
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Naomi Watts, Adrien Brody, Jack Black
Story: A filmmaker and two fellow adventurers follow a map to a South Pacific island whose natives and an assortment of dinosaurs are ruled by a 25-foot-tall gorilla with an eye for blonds.
Buzz: Watts’ Ann Darrow is said to be tougher ape-bait than Fay Wray or Jessica Lange, but with Jackson’s tech credits on “The Lord of the Rings,” the film special effects will be all the rage.
THE PRODUCERS
Release date: Dec. 21
Director: Susan Stroman
Cast: Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell
Story: A shady Broadway producer and a timid accountant conspire to raise money for a play they expect to close after opening night. Whoops.
Buzz: Creator Mel Brooks swears that Uma Thurman has a great singing voice and will give Ula, the boys’ Swedish secretary, extra sizzle.
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