"My Most Anticipated of 2013" or "The Return: Part 2!"

A couple of days ago, I shared my New Years Resolutions with everyone. That was meant as the first in a three-part series of return posts. To continue looking forward, I also wanted to share a few of the things I am most excited to see happen in 2013.

It should be obvious by now that my tastes run more than a little on the nerdy side. It’s hard to argue, though, that science fiction and fantasy are where you’ll find some of the most innovative storytelling of our time. Just look at Cloud Atlas from last year - I can honestly say I’d never seen anything like it. This year holds a number of very exciting new possibilities in the world of fiction. These are my personal picks for the most anticipated books, games, series, and movies of 2013.

Book - Untitled Sandman Book
When Neil Gaiman announced that a new Sandman book was in the works there was nothing else he needed to say. I am already sold on the fact that this will be the best thing I read all year, barring some unforeseen circumstances. That being said… I’d really like to know more about it, soon! A title, story details, or a release date would be quite nice.
Runners up - Dresden Files #15, Saga

Game - Ni No Kuni
Studio Ghibli is one of the most innovative pioneers in the animation industry, rivaled only by Pixar in my opinion. So when they collaborate with a talented videogame company on the design and writing of a game, it catches my attention. If this turns out to be as beautiful and whimsical as Studio Ghibli’s film outings then this will become an instant classic. It comes out next week, so I won’t have to wait long in order to find out!
Runners up - Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider, Injustice: Gods Among Us

TV Show - S.H.I.E.L.D.
Joss Whedon returning to television is reason enough to celebrate. But Joss Whedon bringing the Marvel Cinematic Universe to television? That’s a recipe for fan boy rabies. Yes, I’m frothing at the mouth. Bringing Phil Coulson back only makes it worse, too. Watching the adventures of humans having to cope with a world full of superheroes should make for some incredibly fun drama. I hope they also manage to tie it into the films the way Marvel has expertly balanced bringing the films together. The occasional cameo from a famous hero (I’d say, at most, once or twice a season) could also be a lot of fun.
Runners Up - Arrested Development, Spartacus: War of the Damned, Game of Thrones

Movie - The Man of Steel
I’m a Superman fan. Anyone who knows me is well aware of this. But for those of you who don’t know me, let me tell you a little fact which may make it clear to you. I was one of the people who camped out, overnight, to see footage of The Man of Steel at San Diego Comic-Con in 2012. For a long time I was very lukewarm on this movie. The cast just didn’t feel right, and Zack Snyder is a very hit-or-miss director. But that footage which debuted at Comic-Con was jaw dropping. Now in a year that will include Star Trek Into Darkness and a second Hobbit movie, I’m most excited to see Superman’s origin story again, because it looks like they’ve made it pretty incredible.
Runners up - Pacific Rim, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Star Trek Into Darkness

So those are my most anticipated things in the upcoming year! What are you looking forward to most?

On Sunday there will be one last article, which shall detail the new release schedule for all of my stories! You can expect concrete release dates for new chapters to be announced for Warm Stone, Spiderman: Revenge, and Mass Effect: Babel.

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Official Author Page - http://www.facebook.com/julliangmortimer

"The Potential of Star Wars Episode VII: Part 2" or "Directors! Directors! Directors!"

Yesterday I posted a few of my initial thoughts on the announcement of Star Wars Episode VII, as well as some of my reasoning for being cautiously optimistic. In particular I made note that, if the right talent can be gathered, we might get something special.

What do I mean by “the right talent”, though?

Obviously the choice of writer and director will be utterly essential. Below are some of my top picks for directors, and the probability of them even being in the running. Most of these are dark horses, but I think they’re the kind of visionaries that Star Wars needs to move forward beyond the shadow of Lucas.

Joss Whedon
Most Popular Films: The Avengers
Most Relevant Films: The Avengers, Serenity
Odds of Involvement: 0% (too busy making Avengers 2, Episode VII), 50% (for Episode VIII and/or IX)

Danny Boyle
Most Popular Films: Trainspotting, Slumdog Millionaire
Most Relevant Films: Sunshine
Odds of Involvement: Maybe 5%

Guillermo del Toro
Most Popular Films: Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth
Most Relevant Films: Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Pacific Rim (probably)
Odds of Involvement: 15%

Gore Verbinski
Most Popular Films: Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango
Most Relevant Films: Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy
Odds of Involvement: 35%

Ryuhei Kitamura
Most Popular Films: Godzilla Final Wars, Versus
Most Relevant Films: Godzilla Final Wars, Midnight Meat Train
Odds of Involvement: 1% (if even that much)

Alex Proyas
Most Popular Films: The Crow, Dark City
Most Relevant Films: Dark City, I Robot
Odds of Involvement: 10%

Steven Spielberg
Most Popular Films: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park
Most Relevant Films: Indiana Jones franchise, Minority Report
Odds of Involvement: 30%

Peter Jackson
Most Popular Films: Lord of the Rings trilogy
Most Relevant Films: Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit trilogy
Odds of Involvement: 0% (Episode VII), 20% (Episode VIII and IX)

Let’s not forget that different directors all tackled Episodes IV, V, and VI. Lucas only technically directed IV. Sure, his fingerprints are everywhere, but this means that any combination of people might be involved in the upcoming trilogy. Will we see a single director helm all three, as was the case with Episodes I-III? Or will this series follow the footsteps of other franchises like Harry Potter. Could we see slight variations in the artistic stamps of each film? Might we wind up with work that we can spend hours debating over, deciding the merits and faults of each film in the trilogy?

Imagine what might happen if a completely unexpected director, Oscar winners probably still grew up with wide eyes as they watched A New Hope, took the helm. I imagine that Disney will want a younger voice though, someone with fresh ideas. Even so, how amazing would it be if Martin Scorsese or James Cameron decided to go outside of their on wheelhouse to work on these films?

I would say the choice of director is the single most crucial piece to the puzzle. It will instantly announce Disney’s intentions to us, just like when Joss Whedon was hired to direct the Avengers. If they can pick someone that inspires a similar wave of fan enthusiasm for Star Wars, then it will show us that they intend to give us another iconic trilogy.

Well that’s all for today. But expect the final part of my Star Wars Episode VII reactions soon! In the meantime, why don’t you go to my Facebook page and click “Like”? You’ll get lots of information and updates on my current projects!

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Official Author Page - http://www.facebook.com/julliangmortimer