EDITORIALS
A New Era of Sci-Fi is Upon Us - Looking Ahead to Worlds That Await
by Alex Billington
March 27, 2013
The Upcoming Sci-Fi Movies of the New Era
Welcome to what we've unceremoniously dubbed the "big ass list of upcoming sci-fi movies" for 2013 and beyond. While researching and writing the editorial, we collected (in chronological order based on the expected release) a complete list of any/all upcoming science fiction projects. That includes a few horror and post-apocalyptic crossovers, but mostly anything that is true sci-fi in a more cosmic sense. It's not only important, but kind of fascinating, to get a glimpse at the future of sci-fi in one big helping - which is why we wanted to share this. Here are all the reasons why we're so enthusiastic about this new era that we're in.
←Back to A New Era of Sci-Fi is Upon Us
←Back to 9 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Past Five Years
Looking ahead, here is our definitive list of over 60+ upcoming sci-fi projects currently in the works at this moment. These are the upcoming batch of movies that will push the genre further than its been before.
Andrew Niccol's The Host
Expected this Weekend
An adaptation of the young adult series by Twilight author Stephanie Meyer about an extraterrestrial threat that takes over human bodies and minds, erasing their memories, from the director of Gattaca, S1im0ne and In Time. The first of many young adult sci-fi movies following The Hunger Games, with the Twilight demographic shifting to sci-fi and away from vampires and werewolves (finally). I just hope it doesn't water down the rest of the genre, but I'm not too worried. Watch the final trailer for The Host if you're interested.
Joseph Kosinski's Oblivion
Expected in April
The second feature from sci-fi filmmaker Joe Kosinski (of Tron Legacy), this time envisioning a futuristic world where humans have been driven off Earth to space stations above a desolate planet. Tom Cruise stars with Olga Kurylenko and Morgan Freeman. Kosinski is one of the most innovative sci-fi directors around, and I've got a feeling this might be something spectacular, with a brand new M83 soundtrack, too. I can't wait to see it, and it might just be the first sensational sci-fi hit of 2013 as long as everything turns out. You can watch the latest trailer for Kosinski's Oblivion here and listen to a sample of the M83 score as well. We should also mention Joe Kosinski is still attached to remake The Black Hole for Disney at some point.
Shane Black's Iron Man 3
Expected in May
This Marvel Studios sequel can barely be classified sci-fi, but we're including it mostly because of director Shane Black, who has said that he's focusing on the technology in this one. And since the technology Tony Stark (still Robert Downey Jr.) uses can certainly be classified as sci-fi, especially Hulkbuster armor and a remote-controlled armory (seen in the trailer), it's more than worthy of being mentioned. I'm not sure the plot in this will break out into the Marvel cosmic universe yet, but it might. Even if it doesn't, I'm sure this will be a great time at the movies anyway. Take a look at the tech action in the latest Iron Man 3 trailer here.
J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Into Darkness
Expected in May
"Tell me this is going to work…" We've already seen enough kick ass trailers and action-packed footage to know that director J.J. Abrams has definitely kicked things up a notch with the sequel to his 2009 revival of the Star Trek franchise. Some old school fans have recently come out complaining about how this isn't the Trek they know, but I trust Abrams is staying true to the core values of Roddenberry's universe, while upgrading it in exciting and contemporary ways. Exactly what this genre needs to stay fresh and continue to evolve. It's great to see Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto back as Kirk and Spock, but I think we're most excited to see if Benedict Cumberbatch is badass enough on his own to become a legendary sci-fi villain.
M. Night Shyamalan's After Earth
Expected in June
Forget about M. Night Shyamalan for the moment, this is the new sci-fi project from a screenplay written by Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli) featuring a concept that is just downright cool. A spaceship crash lands on Earth a thousand years in the future, encountering a completely different environment overrun by animals and perhaps another threat. There will be twists and turns, but the big one we already know - it's Earth all along. Which is why I'm curious to find out what's there and what Will and his son Jaden Smith have to go through. Despite Shyamalan's recent downfall, the trailers look fantastic and I'm genuinely excited for it.
Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg's This is The End
Expected in June
Formerly known as Jay and Seth Vs. the Apocolapyse. One of the few big comedies branching into sci-fi by way of the world ending, the apocalypse arriving, with alien invaders, giant monsters, or whatever else they decide to throw in. The idea for this is what makes it great - all the actors are playing themselves attending a party at James Franco's house only to realize the apocalypse has arrived. Seth Rogen is directing a script he co-wrote with Evan Goldberg, starring him and James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Michael Cera, Danny McBride, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, plus plenty of other celebrity guests. This will be the perfect comedy relief in the middle of a summer packed with sci-fi. Watch the hilarious first teaser.
Zack Snyder's Man of Steel
Expected in June
"He was convinced that the world wasn't ready…" Not many realize yet just how sci-fi this movie is going to be, exploring some of Krypton and how that world parallels Earth. Plus, the plot involves an alien with super powers being raised by Americans. The villains will be even more aliens, lead by General Zod and Faora (both wearing some kick ass sci-fi armor), who come to our planet with nefarious plans and weaponry. This movie may be set on contemporary Earth as we know it, but touches upon the questions of how we would deal with such sci-fi events if they were to actually happen. I've got a good feeling Zack Snyder (of 300, Watchmen) has totally reinvented himself for Man of Steel, and chose wisely with Henry Cavill as Kal-El.
Marc Forster's World War Z
Expected in June
Zombies everywhere in a post-apocalyptic world destroyed by zombies. While it may not be as good as Max Brooks' book that it's based on, the World War Z movie we're getting this summer from director Marc Forster (of Finding Neverland, Stranger Than Fiction, Quantum of Solace) at least looks like it will have a shitload of zombies. Brad Pitt stars in what seems to be the biggest zombie movie ever, with invasions the size of cities, but will it live up to "The Walking Dead"? Get a glimpse of the undead chaos in the new trailer.
Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim
Expected in July
"Today we are cancelling the apocalypse!" This isn't even out yet, and that quote has pretty much achieved legendary status already. Spoken by Idris Elba, that line represents just how epic of a monster movie this will be, but I'm sure we're still going to lose our minds once we actually watch it. Guillermo del Toro (of Cronos, Blade II, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth) pretty much went all out with this, bringing us monsters the size of skyscrapers and human-driven robots to match them. Sci-fi as its grandest, with everything realized to insanely epic detail and crafted to exhilarate our geekiest sci-fi inhibitions. Bring on the Kaiju and Jaeger!
Neill Blomkamp's Elysium (+ Chappie)
Expected in August
From the visionary filmmaker who brought us District 9 comes his second feature film, Elysium, another action science fiction story involving a futuristic society still divided by classes. Neill Blomkamp filmed Elysium starring Matt Damon last year, and was planning to have it out in theaters by now, but pushed it back until August. In the meantime, he's developing his third film, Chappie, a sci-fi comedy (but that's all anyone knows about the plot so far). Blomkamp is clearly one of the leading voices in science fiction cinema right now, and there's no question that he's likely to push the genre even further with these next two movies.
Edgar Wright's The World's End
Expected in August
Another apocalypse comedy, similar to This is The End above, that busts its way into sci-fi thanks to that angle. Edgar Wright (of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim) deserves to be on here anyway for supporting Attack the Block, but The World's End is sci-fi anyway. The story is about five friends who reunite in an attempt to top their epic pub crawl from 20 years earlier, but unwittingly become humankind's only hope for survival when the apocalypse arrives. Both Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will be back, as this is the final film in their Cornetto Trilogy. The World's End has been described by Wright as "social science-fiction", which is a whole subgenre of its own and one that will evolve in this era thanks these kind of films.
David Twohy's Riddick
Expected in September
Everyone's favorite Furyan badass is back. One of my own personal favorite sci-fi films is Pitch Black from 2001, even though I didn't care much for the sequel. Now director David Twohy and star Vin Diesel are taking things back to those Pitch Black roots, with an R-rated sci-fi featuring Riddick once again stuck on a planet with some nasty ass alien creatures. Even though they haven't changed the title from only Riddick, based on the first teaser just revealed and all the enthusiasm Vin Diesel has for the project, this might be the awesome follow-up all the Pitch Black fans have been waiting for. "You're not afraid of the dark, are you?"
Alfonso Cuarón's Gravity
Expected in October
From the filmmaker who gave us Children of Men, one of the best sci-fi movies of this last decade, comes another original story set entirely in space. Alfonso Cuaron (Great Expectations, Y Tu Mamá También, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) writes & directs this highly ambitious, highly anticipated sci-fi drama starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as astronauts left drifting aimlessly in space after a catastrophic collision. From everything we've heard about it, including hyperbolic early buzz, it could be one of the most groundbreaking sci-fi movies of this new era, but Warner Bros has been playing things close to their chest, delaying it from a late 2012 release until late 2013 and upgrading to IMAX 3D in the meantime.
Gavin Hood's Ender's Game
Expected in November
Remember - the enemy's gate is down. This might just be our most anticipated sci-fi movie of 2013. Adapted from Orson Scott Card's 1985 sci-fi novel, it's about a very young soldier being trained at the International Fleet's battle school. Ender's Game has Gavin Hood (of Tsotsi, Rendition, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), who has been developing it for years, writing & directing along with Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley as Col. Graff and Mazer Rackham, respectively. Asa Butterfield plays Ender Wiggin, with Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin and Viola Davis all in the cast. We haven't seen too much yet, but I've heard nothing but amazing things about how it's turning out so far, and I've got a good feeling it might just live up to the book.
Joon-ho Bong's Snowpiercer
Expected in 2013
An ensemble post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller set in the future during an ice age, that takes place entirely on a massive train carrying the last human survivors still divided by social class. From the director of Memories of Murder and The Host comes Joon-ho Bong's first sci-fi film - Snowpiercer. Everything we've heard following this project for years makes it sound like it will be one of the most thought-provoking and unique sci-fi films about humanity, with an incredible international cast, too. I'm very anxious to see this already.
Richard Curtis' About Time
Expected in 2013
Even British director Richard Curtis, of Love Actually and Pirate Radio, is venturing into sci-fi. His next movie is called About Time about a time traveling young man named Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson (Brendan Gleeson's son, seen in both Deathly Hallows). Rachel McAdams stars as his love interest (in her second time traveling romance following The Time Traveler's Wife) but after they meet, an unfortunate time-travel incident means he's never met her at all. Tim learns he can relive any moment in his life to try things differently until he gets them perfectly right and we're off from there. Curtis is a talented storyteller and I'm curious to see what he does with a concept like this. The film is shot and ready for release in 2013.
Alan Taylor's Thor: The Dark World
Expected in 2013
While this is a comic book movie, the cosmic setting makes it a worthy sci-fi crossover. At the helm is "Game of Thrones" director Alan Taylor making his feature debut, with Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor up against the evil Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. This is mostly comic book fantasy, but I love the cosmic universe Kenneth Branagh established with Thor in 2011, with the very mystical feeling traveling between worlds. I hope we see them expand upon that, but with Marvel's Phase 2 kicking off in 2013, I have no doubt they will.
Francis Lawrence's Hunger Games: Catching Fire (+ Mockingjay 1 and 2)
Expected in 2013 (+ 2014/2015)
The World Will Be Watching… From the beginning all the way to the very end. It was Francis Lawrence (of Constantine, I Am Legend, Water for Elephants) who landed the job of directing not one, but all three of the remaining The Hunger Games sequels (yes they're splitting the last book), based on the book series by Suzanne Collins. Up first is Catching Fire, already being shot and prepared for release in November of 2013. The sequel picks up where the first movie left off, in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi world centered around the annual Hunger Games event. Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss, along with Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, and a massive ensemble cast. I actually loved the first one and can't wait for the rest.
Sebastián Cordero's Europa Report
Expected in 2013
This sci-fi project came out of nowhere, but has a hell of a cast, including genre favorite Sharlto Copley. Europa Report, from Ecuadorian director Sebastián Cordero (of Ratas ratones rateros, Chronicles, Rage), is about a crew of international astronauts sent on a private mission to Jupiter's fourth moon - Europa. Late in 2012 they launched a mesmerizing series of viral websites and videos of the crew in their spaceship, already captivating us. We're waiting for a proper trailer, but I would prefer to watch this without seeing anything else for the best experience, since I bet there are a few creepy twists. "Post Tenebras Lux."
Jeff Renfroe's The Colony
Expected in 2013
Another ice age movie. We recently featured the trailer for Jeff Renfroe's thriller The Colony, set during the next ice age, about an outpost of colonists struggling to survive below the world's frozen surface who lose contact with their only other known settlement. The chilling cast is lead by Laurence Fishburne, Bill Paxton, Kevin Zegers, John Tench and Charlotte Sullivan. It doesn't seem like this will change the genre much, but it might be an entertaining indie ice age horror-thriller. Give the first trailer a watch here.
Terry Gilliam's The Zero Theorem
Expected in 2013
Yet another great filmmaker taking a trip back into science fiction is Terry Gilliam (Time Bandits, Brazil, Twelve Monkeys, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus) who already shot is next film, The Zero Theorem. Lighter on the sci-fi, heavier on existentialism, the drama stars Christoph Waltz as Qohen Leth, a computer hacker who attempts to discover the reason for human existence. His inward voyage is made possible with some kind of "virtual reality 'inner-space' suit" that allows him to encounter the hidden dimensions and truth of his own soul. Whoa. This sounds a lot deeper spiritually than many of these other projects, and I'm eager to see what kind of sci-fi mindfuck Gilliam has come up with.
Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin
Expected in 2013
From the director who gave us Sexy Beast comes a film adapted from Michel Faber's novel starring Scarlett Johansson as an alien in human form. Part road movie, part science fiction, part real, it's a film about seeing our world through alien eyes. It was filmed entirely around Scotland and London, see the first photo of Johansson here. "She scours remote highways and desolate scenery looking to use her greatest weapon to snare human prey -- her voracious sexuality. She is deadly efficient, but over time becomes drawn to and changed by the complexity of life on earth. With this new found humanity and weakening alien resolve, she finds herself on a collision course with her own kind." Sounds like it might be sexy and deeply interesting.
Simon Phillips' The Last Scout
Expected in 2014
This one came out of nowhere, but could be interesting. Our first look was the teaser poster washed in blue showing a crew of rugged astronauts searching for a new home after Earth was devastated by a nuclear war. The UK-produced indie sci-fi is said to combine "the best elements of Sunshine and Battlestar Gallactica." If that formula works out, this could be kind of awesome, another random indie project. The cast includes Rita Ramnani, Peter Woodward, Rebecca Ferdinando, Deji LaRay & Paul Thomas Arnold. It's directed by British actor-turned-filmmaker Simon Phillips and hits UK theaters February. We'll be keeping an eye on it.
Dean Israelite's Almanac
Expected in 2014
A secret project from Michael Bay's Platinum Dunes with a release planned from Paramount in February of 2014. Not much is known about the exact plot, but rumor is it's similar to the sci-fi hit Chronicle from 2012, but with time travel as the big twist instead of superpowers. As always, we can expect something fun and hopefully awesome involving time travel, but I've got a good feeling this might be a huge sleeper hit more like Cloverfield. It's directed by newcomer Dean Israelite, who happens to be cousin of director Jonathan Liebesman (on TMNT), but he's someone who has directed a number shorts just waiting for his big debut - and this should be it. I'm not sure we'll hear much until a trailer arrives, but this one is now on our radar.
Mike Cahill's I Origins
Expected in 2014
From the writer & director of indie sci-fi Another Earth (2011), Mike Cahill, comes his next indie project. And yes it happens to be another sci-fi story, with the exact twist still secret. The plot involves a molecular biologist and his lab partner who uncover evidence that "may fundamentally change society as we know it." The script was co-written by Brit Marling, again, who also co-stars with Michael Pitt, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Steven Yeun and Archie Panjabi. The film "connects the lives of the most unlikely people from around the globe" and brings "these strangers together, and proves there is no separating matters of science and matters of the heart." More than anything I'm curious to see what Cahill followed Another Earth with.
Darren Aronofsky's Noah
Expected in 2014
After much consideration, I've decided to include Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah on this list of sci-fi, even though it may be more fantasy than actual science fiction. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Black Swan) directs his first >$100 million movie telling an epic, fantastical version of the Noah's Ark story, starring Russell Crowe as Noah. The cast also includes Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly and Anthony Hopkins. This was first envisioned in comic book form and while it may be based on the actual story and descriptions of the event from the Bible, it may have more cinematic elements that push it into the sci-fi/fantasy realm. We'll be keeping an eye on it either way.
Oren Peli's Area 51
Expected in 2014
This may be out in 2013, or maybe never, but it's definitely sci-fi. And I'm sure it will scare the crap out of everyone. Remember Paranormal Activity? The guy who wrote and directed that, Oren Peli, didn't direct the sequels. Instead, the first thing he did after it blew up was go out and make another found footage movie about aliens, instead of ghosts, called Area 51 that is supposedly about some reporters who bust into Area 51. I bet I know what they encounter, and I bet it's going to be freaky. Despite Peli writing and producing many other horror projects since, this has quietly been delayed by Paramount, and Peli hasn't directed much else. They must be waiting until everyone forgets about it, then spring it on us when we're least expecting.
José Padilha's RoboCop
Expected in 2014
Part man. Part machine. All cop. Part what the heck are they doing. The future of the dark side of the sci-fi genre. Despite endless complaints to stop remaking Paul Verhoeven's seminal sci-fi movies, MGM finally pushed forward with their remake of 1987's violent RoboCop. For years this remake had Darren Aronofsky attached, but eventually MGM lined up Brazilian director José Padilha (of Elite Squad, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within) to make his Hollywood debut. Then they cast Swedish up-and-comer Joel Kinnaman as Alex Murphy, but gave him some of the cheesiest armored costumes to wear. We hope Padilha can salvage this and deliver an entertaining film, but I'm honestly not optimistic (especially being dumped in February).
Wes Ball's The Maze Runner
Expected in 2014
This gets an extra nod because its director, Wes Ball, broke his way into the industry directing a highly acclaimed sci-fi short film called Ruin in 2012, made in his spare time. The Maze Runner is actually an adaptation of post-apocalyptic book series by James Dashner (think The Hunger Games, of course) about a community of boys trapped in an enormous maze which is part of a mysterious test. A cast is being finalized, with Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Nowhere Boy) as Newt and Will Poulter (Son of Rambow) as Gally.
Doug Liman's All You Need Is Kill
Expected in 2014
Concept is king in sci-fi. All You Need Is Kill, adapted from Hiroshi Sakurazaka's illustrated novel, is all about concept. Tom Cruise stars as a soldier fighting in a war with aliens called Mimics who finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle. As he continues to relive the same day, he becomes a better solider, searching for a way to alter his own fate. Directing is Doug Liman, who got some sci-fi action experience making Jumper in 2008. Shooting is finished, with Emily Blunt and Bill Paxton in the cast, too. The one photo teased so far of Cruise inside a badass mech was more than enough to grab my attention.
Neil Burger's Divergent
Expected in 2014
Another "young adult" sci-fi adaptation inspired by The Hunger Games. Summit is producing Divergent, an adaptation of Veronica Roth's popular books, set in a future world where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities. Shailene Woodley will play Tris, a "Divergent" that doesn't fit into any one group, who discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents. This sounds an awful lot like a Hunger Games clone, minus the violent "gaming", but Summit seems to have faith in it. Directing Divergent is Neil Burger, of The Illusionist, The Lucky Ones and Limitless previously. I am curious about how this turns out.
Wally Pfister's Transcendence
Expected in 2014
The first grand sci-fi of 2014 - Transcendence. This film is the feature directing debut of Wally Pfister, cinematographer for Chris Nolan on most of his films (Memento, The Prestige, Inception, The Dark Knight Trilogy), telling a sci-fi story about a scientist and his supercomputer. Johnny Depp, Paul Bettany and Rebecca Hall will star in this thriller. In the story, two leading computer scientists work toward their goal of "technological singularity", while a radical anti-technology organization fights to prevent them from creating a world where computers can transcend the abilities of the human brain and think for themselves. Pfister's visuals will be vital to make this a coherent and engaging experience, but I'm looking forward to it.
Gareth Edwards' Godzilla
Expected in 2014
Roar! The iconic Japanese lizard monster, and apparently a couple of his friends, are finally returning to the big screen. Inspired by the buzz for Pacific Rim, Legendary Pictures decided to move forward with a gritty, epic take on Godzilla. To breath new life into this monster movie, they hired the director of indie sci-fi hit Monsters - Gareth Edwards - another filmmaker who's already left an impact on the genre recently. While shooting is underway, plot details are being kept a secret, but we've heard it will involve a more grounded, realistic approach to humans dealing with all the destruction from Godzilla fighting other gigantic monsters. Horror legend Frank Darabont worked on the screenplay, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays the lead.
Matt Reeves' Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Expected in 2014
Rupert Wyatt's outstanding Rise of the Planet of the Apes from 2011 earned an immense amount of respect in the sci-fi community, making the sequel one of our most anticipated coming up. Somehow they actually rebooted the Planet of the Apes franchise and made it exciting again (thanks to technology allowing us to create CG apes like Caesar) without forgetting about the themes of the original films. Initially they tried to get Rupert Wyatt back, but he moved onto other projects so eventually they signed on Matt Reeves (of Let Me In, Cloverfield) to take over. I'm looking forward to seeing them continue the Rise of the Apes storyline.
Colin Trevorrow's Jurassic Park 4
Expected in 2014
"Life finds a way." After making quite a debut with Safety Not Guaranteed, director Colin Trevorrow got scooped up into Hollywood in a very big way. At first he was rumored to be the frontrunner for Star Wars: Episode 7, but ended up landing another high profile gig - Jurassic Park 4. After years of development and script revisions, Universal finally announced a release date for another Jurassic Park sequel in June of 2014. Spielberg may only be producing, but they've found a fresh and talented up-and-coming director to hopefully revitalize this franchise - at least this is their chance. We're not sure what it will be about yet, but many fans are already anxiously anticipating this 2014 return to Spielberg/Crichton's dinosaur-filled world.
Michael Bay's Transformers 4
Expected in 2014
Autobots, roll back in. Everyone ready for Round 4, or are we getting tired of Michael Bay's never-ending robots-from-another-world eye candy? No matter the answer, they're making another. After breaking the box office again with Dark of the Moon, Paramount lured Michael Bay back to direct Transformers 4, but since the original trilogy is complete, he's starting over again fresh. In early 2013, Bay confirmed that "we're meeting a new cast" for the sequel, but they'll "keep the Transformers the way they were" - except for a redesign, which gets explained. "It's just four years later," he says, "we're trying to broaden the franchise and give it more places to go." So Optimus and Bumblebee are still here, but Sam Witwicky and Carly aren't.
Bryan Singer's X-Men: Days of Future Past
Expected in 2014
Time-traveling X-Men and Bryan Singer's much-needed return to his comic book roots. X-Men: Days of Future Past, which counts as a I-still-cannot-believe-this-is-happening project, will ambitiously attempt to combine different casts from various movies for an epic story about past, present and future. At first, Matthew Vaughn (who made X-Men: First Class) was developing, but left the director's chair open for Bryan Singer (Usual Suspects, X-Men, X2, Superman Returns, Valkrie) to fill instead. Filming is slated to start this summer on a massive budget. Singer is bringing back everyone from before: Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, Halle Berry. If they can somehow pull off this comic book arc storyline featuring time travel, this will be spectacular entertainment.
The Wachowskis' Jupiter Ascending
Expected in 2014
Returning to the genre 15 years after bringing us The Matrix in 1999, The Wachowskis are preparing their next sci-fi movie, Jupiter Ascending. While their last experiment, Cloud Atlas, certainly featured plenty of vivid sci-fi worlds, Jupiter Ascending is their progression into epic space opera. The story sounds oddly similar to Snow White, about a "Queen of the Universe" who hunts down a human woman "because her very existence threatens to end the Queen's reign." It's set in a world where humans are near the bottom of the evolutionary ladder, and these other more evolved beings have epic powers. Channing Tatum, who stars with Mila Kunis & Sean Bean, said that "what the Wachowskis are planning is the craziest shit he's ever seen." I'm sure we have no idea, but I'm ready for another mind blowing cinematic creation from these two.
James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy
Expected in 2014
What do Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Groot and Rocket Raccoon have in common? They're all Guardians of the Galaxy - and we'll be meeting them in 2014. In Marvel Studios first attempt to branch off with lesser-known characters, the studio is making a movie about the Guardians of the Galaxy team, with James Gunn (of Slither, Super) selected as director. Kevin Feige has said that Guardians will take place "95% in space" and represents the "cosmic side of the" Marvel Universe. Thanos might be the villain this, or he might not, but it will definitely be an experiment in how far Marvel can go without ending up in Green Lantern territory. So far the cast includes Chris Pratt as Star-Lord and wrestler Dave Bautista as Drax.
Christopher Nolan's Interstellar
Expected in 2014
It's Christopher frickin' Nolan directing an acclaimed screenplay, written by his brother Jonathan Nolan, titled Interstellar that originally had Spielberg attached for years. I believe this will be the pinnacle of the new era, with Christopher Nolan pushing the limits of the sci-fi genre as far as he possibly can with a story that pushes humanity as far as it possibly can into the cosmos. The script is being updated by Nolan, but the original idea is based on scientific theories by Caltech astrophysicist Kip Thorne that involve time travel, alternative dimensions and wormholes. Recently, we heard that Interstellar "will depict a heroic interstellar voyage to the furthest reaches of our scientific understanding." This is going to be incredible.
Brad Bird's Tomorrowland
Expected in 2014
This is a sci-fi dream team if there ever was one. Director Brad Bird (Incredibles, Ratatouille, MI: Ghost Protocol) teaming up with writers Damon Lindelof ("Lost", Prometheus, Star Trek Into Darkness) & Jeff Jensen (Fallacy, Velocity), plus actors George Clooney & Hugh Laurie, to tell a weird interdimensional story involving Disneyland's Tomorrowland. Originally titled 1952, the plot revolves around a teenage girl, a genius middle-aged man named Frank and a pre-pubescent robot that attempt to get to and unravel what happened to Tomorrowland, which exists in an alternative dimension. Yea it sounds crazy, and if that's not alluring enough, take a peek inside Brad Bird's 1952 mystery box, with photos of Walt Disney himself.
George Miller's Mad Max: Fury Road
Expected in 2014
Though it took them a few years, and they had to battle weather problems and financial troubles, apparently George Miller finally got everything together to shoot his gritty new Mad Max movie down in Australia. Tentatively titled Mad Max: Fury Road, based on an old script, this sorta-sequel introduces us to a new "Mad Max". He cast Tom Hardy (Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Warrior) as the new Max, with Charlize Theron (Prometheus), Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (Transformers), Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies) and Zoë Kravitz (X-Men: First Class) in supporting roles. Early reports indicated that it might be about a group of people fleeing across the Wasteland in a War Rig, and the paparazzi snapped a few photos of gnarly vehicles harkening back to The Road Warrior. Here's to hoping this turns out as badass as we all want it to.
Joe Wright's Our Robot Overlords
Expected in 2014
Acclaimed filmmaker Joe Wright, of everything from Pride & Prejudice to Atonement to Hanna to Anna Karenina is currently working on a sci-fi project. He's preparing to shoot Our Robot Overlords, a sci-fi drama budgeted around $20 million set in the future about a woman with multiple kids living in a world run by robots. Leading the cast are Gillian Anderson and Ben Kingsley, even though the plot focuses on a gang of teens trying to survive in a "robot-occupied, futuristic Britain." This sounds incredibly intriguing, especially from Wright, who always has a sleek visual style. I expect to see this pop up at a film festival soon.
Ruairi Robinson's Last Days on Mars
Expected in 2014
Surprisingly, out of all the sci-fi projects on here, this is one of the few exploring Mars. Instead of directing the live-action Akira, Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson will make his feature debut with Last Days on Mars, a sci-fi film produced independently in the UK. Robinson is the genius mind behind the infamous Blinky™ short film, and is a filmmaker we've been impatiently waiting to see a feature film from. The plot is about a group of astronaut explorers who succumb one by one to a mysterious and terrifying force while collecting specimens on Mars. So far we've seen one image with Liev Schreiber, but I've got high hopes for this and the future of Robinson's sci-fi career. Another reason this might be good - Weta is doing the effects.
Jake Paltrow's Young Ones
Expected in 2014
An original sci-fi story to follow-up all the other young adult adventures we're getting. Written and directed by Jake Paltrow (of only The Good Night), Young Ones is set in a violent near-future (a "neo-realistic dystopia") where water has become the most precious—and fastest-dwindling—resource on the planet. Our lead is a 14-year-old boy forced use his wits to survive. The cast just came together, with Nicholas Hoult, Elle Fanning and Kodi Smit-McPhee on-board, plus Michael Shannon. I'm not expecting that much out of this project, but the world seems fascinating and the early sales art from 2011 already caught my eye.
Ringan Ledwidge's Glimmer
Expected in 2014
Glimmer might be one of those breakout sci-fi sensations quietly being made. At least it has that potential based on the idea: a group of teenagers discover a portal to the past. When one of them changes history, the effects start to snowball with tragic consequences. It's the second film from commercials director Ringan Ledwidge, whose debut was a straight-to-TV horror called Gone, so this seems like a huge step up. Logan Lerman (of Gamer, Percy Jackson, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Noah) is starring and Spielberg's DreamWorks production company is developing, so it has all the ingredients of a sci-fi cult classic. But more than anything, I'm curious to see how this portal concept works and what exactly they screw up in history.
Spike Jonze's Her
Expected in 2014
Another little sci-fi project that we'll hopefully see something from soon. Director Spike Jonze (of Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Where the Wild Things Are) has already shot an upcoming comedy called Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix. He plays a lonely writer who develops an unlikely relationship with his newly-purchased operating system that's designed to meet his every need. This seems to be a bit lighter on the sci-fi, however original synopses state that it's set "in the not so distant future." Anything from the mind of Spike Jonze is usually brilliant, however something like this with a sci-fi tinge makes it sound even better.
John Huddles' The Philosophers
Expected in 2014
More from the "social sci-fi" subgenre. From writer and director John Huddles (Far Harbor, At Sachem Farm) comes a philosophical look at the apocalypse with the indie drama The Philosophers, already shot and finished. Here is the setup: At an international school in Jakarta, a philosophy teacher challenges his class of twenty graduating seniors to choose which ten of them would take shelter underground and reboot the human race in the event of a nuclear apocalypse. The cast features a couple of recognizable names/faces, like James D'Arcy (Cloud Atlas), Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter), Katie Findlay, George Blagden and Daryl Sabara (John Carter). There's one photo so far, but this seems like an interesting film to look into.
Vic Armstrong's Left Behind
Expected in 2014
This religious post-apocalyptic film stars Nicolas Cage, which is really the reason it makes the cut. Second unit director Vic Armstrong makes his feature debut on Left Behind, about a group of people struggling to survive in the aftermath of a "Rapture" that removed people of the Christian faith from Earth. Shooting is supposed to start sometime in 2013, with a summer 2014 release initially scheduled. I'm not yet sure if this will be any good, or if it's a straight-to-DVD quality disaster, but it's worth noting as another "social sci-fi".
J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII (+ Episodes VIII and IX)
Expected in 2015 (+2018/2021)
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… It's back! Believe it or not. The long-awaited return of Star Wars to continue the original trilogy that ended in 1983. It only took three months to officially confirm J.J. Abrams as director from the moment it was announced in late 2012 that Disney was buying Lucasfilm and making another trilogy. Who would've thought that in 2015 we'd see George Lucas stepping back and letting Disney, of all places, pick up again with the Star Wars Skywalker storyline that hasn't been touched in over 30 years. But here we are, it's about to happen, things are in motion. Oscar winning writer Michael Arndt (of Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3, Oblivion, Catching Fire) is working on the script, and in just a few years, we'll likely be seeing Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy, and maybe Lando, together on the big screen again.
Lucasfilm's Star Wars Spin-Off Movies
Expected in 2015
In addition to three new Star Wars movies about the Skywalkers, Disney CEO Bob Iger recently confirmed that they're planning multiple standalone spin-off movies focused on other characters. While exact details are still sketchy, rumors have ranged from Yoda and Boba Fett features, to young Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt solo adventures, to even a Zack Snyder-directed Seven Samurai-style Jedi spin-off (which still sounds amazing even if it isn't real). Ever since more spin-off films were confirmed, many fans have spoken out against them, but I'm admittedly very excited to see them expand the universe cinematically in every way possible. Just think of how many unique Star Wars films we'll have if they hire a new director each one.
Joss Whedon's The Avengers 2
Expected in 2015
If it's true that Thanos (shown at the end credits of The Avengers) is the big bad villain of Marvel's The Avengers 2, then this sequel is definitely going to be a sci-fi, comic book, action movie smorgasbord. Kevin Feige and Joss Whedon like to feed fans with as much misinformation as real information, and when it comes to Avengers 2, the most we really know is that it's the epic team-up for Marvel's "Phase 2". While Feige has denied that Phase 2 is their "cosmic" phase, with Guardians of the Galaxy due out just before this, it's likely they'll be spending lots of time fighting intergalactic villains and saving a planet in Avengers 2. Joss Whedon has an extensive sci-fi history and will hopefully take things even farther this time around.
Joe Cornish's Snow Crash
Expected in 2015
One of my own favorite novels, Snow Crash is the 1992 sci-fi written by author Neal Stephenson about a future where most people spend their time plugged into a virtual reality called the Metaverse. There, a pesky virus called "Snow Crash" is killing people in real life so Hiro Protagonist ("Last of the freelance hackers and Greatest swordfighter in the world") investigates. Similar to Neuromancer in scope, adapting this will be a very ambitious challenge, but hopefully Paramount understands the true potential in making this kind of intellectual sci-fi correctly. Best of all they've hired Joe Cornish, the up-and-comer behind Attack the Block, to direct with Kathleen Kennedy producing. I want this to be in production already.
Dan Trachtenberg's Y: The Last Man
Expected in 2015
What would happen if you were the last man left alive on a planet full of only women? Brian K. Vaughan's beloved comic book series Y: The Last Man has been waiting to be adapted for many years, with directors like D.J. Caruso taking a shot at pushing for a trilogy, to no avail. New Line Cinema is determined to one day make a Y: The Last Man movie, and recently decided to hire Dan Trachtenberg (of The Totally Rad show fame and Portal: No Escape) to direct. Whether it takes two or four more years until it's finally made, we can at least rest easy knowing this is in the hands of a director who truly cares for the source material.
Josh Trank's The Fantastic Four
Expected in 2015
Another one of the standout sci-fi films of 2012 was Chronicle, the feature debut of director Josh Trank and screenwriter Max Landis. After proving how capable of a filmmaker and storyteller he is, Trank went on to land the job of directing Fox's brand new take on the Fantastic Four. At one point, Akiva Goldsman was spearheading the reboot, titled Fantastic Four Reborn, but that was canned and Trank took over with a fresh take, which will likely have a more realistic feel (with "sci-fi" as the superpower catalyst). As of early 2013, Seth Grahame-Smith (of Dark Shadows, Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter) was rewriting the script.
James Cameron's Avatar 2 and 3
Expected in 2015 (+2016)
"Return to Pandora." How much more needs to be said? Almost everyone on this world went to see James Cameron's Avatar in 2009/2010, we all know how it ended, how it looked, and how it set the standard for 3D. Now we're patiently waiting for him to make the sequels. James Cameron has confirmed they'll be shooting both Avatar 2 and 3 back-to-back, featuring storylines that connect but still conclude individually. Early buzz from the release a few years back indicated that Cameron might explore other areas of the planet Pandora, including the underwater world, which is exactly what we expect. Beyond that, I believe Cameron will optimize these sequels to show how much HFR (at 60FPS) can make a difference when used correctly.
Colin Trevorrow's Flight of the Navigator
Expected in ??
Before he got the job to direct Jurassic Park 4, Safety Not Guaranteed director Colin Trevorrow was first uncovered to be Disney's top choice for the new Flight of the Navigator remake. Flight of the Navigator (from 1986) was one of my personal favorite films growing up, I have a huge soft spot for it in my heart (I've seen it so many times), and Disney is remaking it as it nears its 30th anniversary. Trevorrow got the job to develop with his writer from Safety Not Guaranteed, Derek Connolly, as a "potential directing vehicle." It sounds like Disney just wants a fresh take on this, and it might still be a few years away from getting made.
Kyle Newman's Chewie
Expected in ??
Chewie! As in Chewbacca, the lovable Wookie from Star Wars. After making a movie about a group of kids busting into the Episode I premiere (Fanboys), self-proclaimed Star Wars geek Kyle Newman decided to take on another Star Wars-related story. He's set to direct the script Chewie, written by Van Robichaux & Evan Susser (The Jetsons), which landed on the Black List in 2011 and is a satirical behind the scenes look at the making of Star Wars through the eyes of Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca. According to news in 2012, Mayhew sold his life rights to Newman so he could make this. Hot damn, it's going to be so good!
Ernest Cline's Ready Player One
Expected in ??
An adaptation of a great book that's soon to be a modern classic - Ernest Cline's Ready Player One is a world as extraordinary as Neuromancer based on all the pop culture, sci-fi geek excellence of today. There's no director attached yet, just Cline and Eric Eason (A Better Life) working on the screenplay, and Donald De Line (Pain & Gain, Green Lantern, Observe and Report) producing. Ernest Cline wrote the script for Kyle Newman's Fanboys, an excellent nod to Star Wars, but this time he's written a story set in the future about a young trailer park gamer who attempts to find a creator's fortune in a complex digital treasure hunt. I'm sure it will take them a few years until this ready for the big screen; it's going to be a challenge to adapt.
Edgar Wright's Collider
Expected in ??
Not to be confused with the low budget Collider from CR Entertainment, this Collider is a sci-fi set to be directed by Edgar Wright (of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim, The World's End), at some point in the near future. The project was uncovered in 2012 when it was announced that Bad Robot was teaming up with Edgar Wright and his production partner Big Talk Productions for a sci-fi movie. Wright is attached to direct Collider, and is co-writing the script with I Am Legend's Mark Protosevich. The plot is being kept under wraps, so we don't know what exactly it will be about or why it's called Collider, but I'm hoping (like the low budget Collider) it still involves CERN's hadron collider and wormholes (to follow Interstellar).
David Fincher's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Expected in ??
If this ever gets made, it will be awesome. I've been waiting for David Fincher (Alien 3, Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) to venture back into science fiction, and while this isn't exactly Rendezvous with Rama or Heavy Metal, this is close enough for now. Seeing Fincher take on a story like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea would be spectacular, as he gets better at integrating visual effects every movie, and with technology being so powerful today he could possibly make this as much of a feat with effects now as Richard Fleischer's version was in 1954. I'd really love to see Fincher's version.
Robert Zemeckis' Major Matt Mason
Expected in ??
Not exactly a project we're enthusiastic about, but it counts as sci-fi nonetheless. One of the other projects Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Flight) lined up for his live-action return is Major Matt Mason, a movie based on the action figure from the 1960s. Universal picked this up in their idiotic wildfire purchase of board game and arcade game rights (resulting in Battleship). Somehow they lured Tom Hanks to star as "Major Matt Mason", playing an astronaut living on a base at the south pole of the moon. As of late last year, Zemeckis was trying to get independent financing set to move forward on shooting this.
Vincenzo Natali's Neuromancer
Expected in ??
William Gibson's novel Neuromancer is considered a seminal sci-fi story, and has been long-awaiting its chance to be turned into a seminal sci-fi movie. The project has had its share of ups and downs, but director Vincenzo Natali (Cube, Cypher, Splice, Haunter) has been attached since 2010, and seems committed to making this happen at some point in the near future. It'll be very tricky to tell this futuristic cyberpunk story of a washed-up computer hacker named Case hired by a mysterious employer to work on the ultimate hack, but an ambitious filmmaker like Vincenzo Natali might be able to pull it off. We'll be keeping a close watch.
Steven Spielberg's Robopocalypse
Expected in ??
While this adaptation is currently "indefinitely postponed", it's still on our science fiction radar. Steven Spielberg's (Jaws, Jurassic Park, E.T., Minority Report, War of the Worlds) adaptation of the futuristic robot uprising story Robopocalypse, based on the book by Daniel H. Wilson set in the aftermath of a robot uprising, was supposed to be shooting this year. Despite news that production was shutting down, Spielberg confirmed that he's delaying it to rethink the movie. "I'm starting on a new script and we'll have this movie back on its feet soon," he said in January. I'm anxious for Spielberg to get back to epic, futuristic sci-fi and while that may not be what this will turn out like in the end, I'm still curious to see him finish it.
Relativity Media's Voltron
Expected in ??
This adaptation of another goofy intergalactic kids' series has been in development ever since Michael Bay said he was going to make a Transformers movie. In 2011, it was Relativity Media who won the rights to make a live-action Voltron movie (while DreamWorks Animation later scored the animated rights) but they haven't made any progress. Thomas Dean Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer (Conan the Barbarian, Marvel's Dr. Strange) are credited for the latest draft of the script, but it still seems like we're years away from anyone bringing the robot lions to life on the big screen. At least the early concept art looked very cool.
Annapurna Pictures' Terminator 5
Expected in ??
At the moment, there is really no need for another Terminator movie to come in and ruin the sci-fi party we're having, but if new owners Annapurna Pictures think they can get this franchise back on the right track (especially with Arnold Schwarzenegger), maybe we should reserve judgement. As of this January, they had Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island, Battle Angel) and Patrick Lussier (Drive Angry) working on the screenplay for Terminator 5, but exact plot details were being kept a secret besides that Schwarzenegger as the Cyberdyne cyborg might be back again. We'll be watching development closely to see where this goes.
Universal Pictures' Asteroids
Expected in ??
While there's no need for them to make this movie, it's inevitable, especially with the sci-fi trend taking off. In 2009, Universal announced they were making a movie based on the classic 1979 arcade game Asteroids, which doesn't really provide much of a story. The project has three different writers (so far): Matt Lopez, Jez Butterworth and Evan Spiliotopoulos, with Roland Emmerich originally attached to direct. However, not much progress has been made recently so we assume this is shelved until they figure out what to do with it.
Roland Emmerich's Singularity + Independence Day 2 + Foundation
Expected in ??
Speaking of Roland Emmerich (Stargate, Godzilla, Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012), he has plenty of other sci-fi projects on his plate. One of them, Singularity, was almost cast and ready to shoot until Sony Pictures pulled the plug on it last minute for a script overhaul. Singularity is described as a "sci-fi extravaganza" about a boy named Adam, whose body is made up a swarm of nanobots, "giving him all sorts of power." Beside that, Emmerich has also been attached to an adaptation of Isaac Asimov's legendary Foundation Series, which will be an epic undertaking if/when they ever make that. Plus he's still working on Independence Day 2 and 3, if they can ever get Will Smith and everyone to agree on a story. It sounds like Emmerich is planning to spend plenty of time in the sci-fi genre after taking the "White House Down". A recent reveal from Roland gave this Independence Day 2 plot tease: "It's a changed world. It's like parallel history. [Humans] have harnessed all this alien technology… we know how to take an antigravity device."
Stephan Zloetescu's True Skin
Expected in ??
One of the most buzzed about shorts from the internet last year, True Skin, was acquired by Warner Bros to be adapted into a full-length feature. Director Stephan Zloetescu, also known as "N1ON", landed the gig last year after debuting his six minute sci-fi short online. The film brilliantly uses CGI enhancement to envision a futuristic world where technology augmentation and implants are the new fashion statement. The world he created is one of the most unique I've seen, and I'm looking forward to Zloetescu's full-length film.
Alex Garland's Ex Machina
Expected in ??
This indie film was just announced recently but should be shooting by the end of the year. Alex Garland, screenwriter of 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Never Let Me Go, Dredd, will be making his directing debut with Ex Machina, from a script he also wrote. The story involves a billionaire programmer who handpicks a young employee to spend a week at his remote estate and participate in a test involving his latest invention: an artificially intelligent female robot. Garland is one of the people pushing sci-fi, and I'm very anxious to see what he'll do sitting in the director's chair telling a story about a "female" robot. This will be interesting.
Appian Way & Warner Bros' The Twilight Zone
Expected in ??
When this was first announced back in 2008, all we knew was that Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way was producing an adaptation of the classic Rod Serling TV show. It ended up bouncing around with writers for a few years before landing Matt Reeves (Cloverfield, Let Me In) as director, who developed throughout 2011 until he ended up taking the Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (also mentioned above) job instead. Warner Bros and Appian Way are still looking for a new director, and are probably reworking the screenplay too, but at least a The Twilight Zone movie is still in development and will likely be made one day in the near future.
Ridley Scott's Blade Runner Sequel
Expected in ??
When and if this movie ever gets made, with Ridley Scott apparently directing, it may mark the very next phase of this new sci-fi era. We don't know too much about what they're planning besides that it is a sequel set "some years after the first film" ends. Other than that we're expecting them to handle this one with care. They brought back screenwriter Hampton Fancher, from the original, to write a current draft and are probably working with other writers that can breath new life into this dark, futuristic world run by the Tyrell Corporation. I doubt we'll see it happen, but maybe this will crossover into the Alien/Prometheus universe?
Ridley Scott's Prometheus 2 and 3
Expected in ??
At least as of February, star Noomi Rapace confirmed that Ridley was still working on developing ideas and a script for the Prometheus sequel. A year before anyone had seen footage from Prometheus, Ridley explained that the idea Damon Lindelof and him had evolved from the initial "Alien prequel" into "a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place." While Damon won't be back, I am curious if that grand mythology and trilogy idea that Prometheus originated from is still around, or if they're trying to take things in a whole new direction after the negative response to Prometheus last summer. In a tell-all update, Damon Lindelof did say "Ridley [would] occasionally riff on what he felt might happen next."
That's it for now! Beyond these projects listed above, there are many other spec scripts and sci-fi films in the works that we just don't know about yet, or are quietly developing and will take years to see the light of day. Not only could we include the Halo movie and Warcraft movie, but tons of other in-development scripts, like Rendezvous with Rama and Marvel's Doctor Strange, or Doug Trumbull's 120FPS 3D space adventure or James Cameron's Battle Angel, although we're more likely to see to Avatar 2 and 3 before he makes that movie. Everything else beyond most of these projects listed above will evolve after this new era, and change depending on how things turn out over the next few years. I'm very excited, to say the least.
Between the revival of Star Wars and Star Trek, as well as filmmakers like Neill Blomkamp and Christopher Nolan and Alfonso Cuarón, the science fiction genre hasn't been this compelling in a long time. Not only do we have a plentiful selection of fantastic sci-fi arriving in 2013, but 2014 is already getting filled, and there's so many other projects gestating that we certainly don't have to worry about any shortage. In addition, every one of these movies will inspire more ideas and more stories that have yet to even be imagined. It's those endlessly possibilities, and storytelling without limitations, that makes me continue to love the sci-fi genre.
↑ The Upcoming Sci-Fi Movies of the New Era
←Back to A New Era of Sci-Fi is Upon Us
←Back to 9 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the Past Five Years
224 Comments
1
What's life without a little sci-fi.
Xerxexx on Mar 27, 2013
2
We'll get a huge dose, 25, 30 each year 🙂
David Banner on Mar 28, 2013
5
Nice article. I definitely think the industry runs in cycles...it's kind of interesting, because before the original star wars movies were released, there were a lot of way less successful science fiction or space fantasy movies released, and of course, many directly after Star Wars that failed to capture similar magic. We're in an era of films now that are informed by the successes and failures of those that came before, an era that obviously would never have been possible without Star Wars and Star Trek...new ground for new visionaries to chart new courses. Personally, I felt like the new generation of science fiction started with "sunshine" in 2007. I thought it was fantastic, shot in a brilliant new way, with a great score and emotional realistic character performances. In many ways, I felt like the star trek remake aped that film a lot in style and intensity while of course remaining decently true to Star Trek canon. I hope that "sunshine" gets a lot more props as the years go on...for pushing the boundaries of real hardcore science fiction cinema while we as an audience get to sit back and enjoy it all.
Linkfx on Mar 27, 2013
6
I for one am hopeful that Sci-Fi will one day get its rightfully deserved Oscar.
tigerianwinter on May 30, 2013
7
District 9 > Inception.
Tey on Mar 27, 2013
8
D9 was hard sci-fi (I.E. aliens, alien tech, space ships) and INCEPTION was more fantasy. That being said I think INCEPTION was the better of two awesome movies.
DAVIDPD on Mar 27, 2013
9
You've said it urself District 9 is pure Sci-Fi... & Inception is more like a fantasy all the more D9 was the best Sci-Fi in last decade.
Tey on Mar 27, 2013
10
I agree that D9 was in my top 3 sci-fi of last decade. But I also would put MOON in there and STAR TREK/SUNSHINE.
DAVIDPD on Mar 27, 2013
11
The New Star Trek is not Science Fiction. At the very best it is the softest of SciFi. Personally I put it in the "action movie in space" category. Spaceships+aliens does not necessarily make a scifi movie.
Brian Sleider on Mar 28, 2013
12
I know for nerds and such, they might not call STAR TREK sci-fi, but honestly the majority of the world would call it sci-fi. As such, I group it into sci-fi as well.
DAVIDPD on Mar 28, 2013
13
I disagree, just because people miss-attribute the term "SciFi" that doesn't change what "SciFi" means.
Brian Sleider on Mar 28, 2013
14
If 99% of people call something SciFi, if directors, executives and agents classify a pieces genre as scifi, it's scifi. Here's an example in terms of music, a can belly ache till the cows come home about how "posthardcore" or for that matter "hardcore" have in modern times become the new name for bands who less than 5 years ago would have been called "metalcore". I may not like classifications sometimes, but we musicians along with SF/F writers (of which I am one) all have to live with the worlds classifications of our work. It doesn't matter to me whether I get put in with the romance lot, or lit fic, or action adventure, or metal, or punk, or whatever (just so long as sales don't suffer of course)... what matters is that I’ve produced something that I can be proud of and know/hope people will consume it regardless of executive meddling. You may not like it, or agree, but Star Trek is and has been considered science fiction since the 60s.
Jc Farnham on Apr 26, 2013
15
Considering that Sci-Fi pre-dates Hollywood "directors, executives and agents", they have no authority to define science fiction. Sci-Fi is cerebral, philosophical and theoretical, supported by the factual; little JJ's action film is none of these things. For someone that claims to be a writer, you are pretty bad at reading.The comment that you replied to stated that Star Trek 2009 is not sci-fi, Mr. Sleider made no such comment concerning any other incarnation of Star Trek.
Brian on May 16, 2013
16
"Considering that Sci-Fi pre-dates Hollywood "directors, executives and agents", they have no authority to define science fiction." Maybe you should apply that sentence to yourself.
bfg666 on Sep 21, 2013
17
"If 99% of people call something SciFi, if directors, executives and agents classify a pieces genre as scifi, it's scifi." Not true either. It's not because almost everyone says something that it's right. For example, most people now use the verb "decimate" as a synonym to "slaughter" while its true meaning is "subtract 10 percent". Not quite the same, is it?
bfg666 on Sep 21, 2013
18
Ain't it so? Welcome to the wrong side of the dictionary, Brian!
bfg666 on Sep 21, 2013
19
true...
avi on Mar 28, 2013
20
soft sci fi? wtf is that?
shadypotential on Mar 30, 2013
22
Star Trek 2009 is certainly sci fi. Futuristic space ships, teleportation, aliens, floating vehicles. it doesnt get more sci fi than that
shadypotential on Mar 31, 2013
23
As I have said and have many people across the world who agree. Adding in aliens and space ships DOES NOT equal a SciFi.
Brian Sleider on Apr 1, 2013
24
So what about time travel? or teleportation which were all in the movie? to actually call Star Trek NOT sci fi is a little idiotic don't you think? plus Aliens & space ships are hardcore SCI FI. what you are saying makes no sense. Inception is soft sci fi not Star Trek.
shadypotential on Apr 1, 2013
25
As I have said, any Hard SciFi geek will not consider a movie scifi simply because it has aliens and spaceships. If you think it does thats cool, most of America would agree. SciFi should have social and/or political themes relevant to the current climate. Look back at EVERY other Star Trek, each one was a comment on something happening in the world at the time. Making up a non science based substance that some how makes black holes and wormholes is not Hard SciFi. Shoot midiclorians being the cause of the Force in The Phantom Menace is more SciFi than Red Matter. I feel you do not truly grasp what the heart and soul of SciFi is, I will give you a hint, it has nothing to do with spaceships and aliens.
Brian Sleider on Apr 1, 2013
26
I am reading a Philip K Dick novel right now. Trust me I know what sci fi is. To say that EVERY story must have political or social themes in order for it to be true sci fi is ridiculous. Science fiction in definition deals with the imaginative with other worlds and inventions we do not yet have in our reality. There are many ways to tell a sci fi story and to incorporate social issues is definitely a way but to take away from so many great adventure sci fi stories that just deal with "space ships and aliens" and say they are not true sci fi is.....wack.
shadypotential on Apr 1, 2013
27
Actually Brian , you are doing the mis-labeling here . A movie that has " social and/or political themes relevant to the current climate " would be called a DRAMA . It becomes noted as Sci-Fi when there are elements of Science " FICTION " introduced into and along with the story . Elements which may only be "fiction" for a decade or so , until it becomes science FACT ( like the cell phone) . Now , GOOD Sci-Fi has both drama and SF elements well done and , as you say , relevant . But just because it's bad , or it's "soft" DOESN'T mean it's not Science Fiction . It just means you " hard SciFi geeks " aren't going to respect or like it ...
Dominic on Apr 2, 2013
28
Your definition is ridiculous and goes against the decades old standards of science fiction literature. Science fiction has always contained social and political themes. furthermore, it has been well documented that this social and political commentary has inspired many people to go forth and do great things for mankind, be it invention, politics or social activism. Gene Roddenberry's version in particular was a future where technology defeats the struggle for survival. In Star Trek, mankind is free from economy and the elite who control it and we truly become an entire species of inventors, philosophers, artists and explorers. This vision is absent from JJ's retarded action film.
Brian on May 16, 2013
29
And it is absent from most of the other Trek-movies, and thank god for it. Trek was relevant in the sixties, and I love next generation and DS9, but it is in no way more thoughtful as Abrams trek. It's tv, that plays it safe (maybe with the exception of DS9) and is very naive and inoffensive. How does the economy work? They have no money, so I alway thought, they live in a communist state (but god beware that in an us-tv-show!) Where are the gay people? Where is the military, when they fight so many wars? Abrams trek maybe silly at times, the science (supernova threatens the galaxy, superblood heals and revives people and so on) is ridiculus, but again Star Trek was never the hard sf people claimed it to be. Babylon 5 had a realistic approach with real people, the new Battlestar Galactica asked the question if abortion should be illegal when only 50000 surviving humans remain. Compare this to most of the trek-episodes. And please: I agree, Science Fiction has not to be in space, or with aliens or spaceships, there are movies like for instance Soylent Green (based on "Make room"), and Science Fiction can and should extrapolate political and social developments. But nevertheless Aliens and Spaceships are Science Fiction elements and I would define every story with these elements as SF, maybe categorize it as space opera. Consider E.E.Doc Smiths Lensmen, the stories of Edmond Hamilton and Leigh Brackett, I think nobody would deny them the label science fiction.
Mark Wolf on May 24, 2013
30
Hi, have you watched Starge SG-1? What is your opinion about it? I believe you've been making good points in all these comments.
douglasac on Jun 2, 2013
31
I love it when people with erroneous certainties tell others that their notions are ridiculous. To be so full of it AND at the same time condescending is just priceless!
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
32
None of the characteristics that you listed define a story as science fiction. Case and point, Blade Runner. Would you dare to say that Blade Runner is not sci-fi? Science Fiction, at its core, is a commentary on modern western society. Morality and social commentary is what made Star Trek great and the absence of which is why Enterprise and lil JJ's film has alienated so many Star Trek fans.
Brian on May 16, 2013
33
Science Fiction, at its core, is a commentary on modern western society. NO it isn't. lmao where the hell did you get that?
shadypotential on May 16, 2013
34
From every work of science fiction that I have ever read and/or watched. Are you so dense that you think it is really all about the superficial imagery of aliens and spaceships? have you every read something like "Dune"?
Brian on May 17, 2013
35
ohh so its something you made up? cool bro. listen if that is what you believe, okay. enjoy being wrong for the rest of your life
shadypotential on May 17, 2013
36
Wow, I guess Gene Roddenberry, Michael Piller, Ronald Moore, Frank Herbert (to name a few) are wrong too, huh? It is fascinating how you revel in your ignorance. Tell me, did you compete your high school education?
Brian on May 17, 2013
37
because i'm right and you're wrong? lmao.
shadypotential on May 18, 2013
38
Lol, proclaiming oneself to be right does not make it so. In your case, several of the greatest writers of the genre have made statements that support my comment. Now, run along little boy and enjoy the loud bangs and flashy, shiny lights and such of "Into Darkness". I know that it is difficult for you to get the deeper existential nuances of science fiction but I have been assured that this film is simplistic enough that people like you shouldn't be overwhelmed by it.
Brian on May 20, 2013
39
Furthermore, to answer the question "where the hell did you get that"? Besides recognizing the obvious, it was Gene Roddenberry's entire reason for creating Star Trek. Also, the opinions of Michael Piller and Ronald D. Moore on the subject of Star Trek and science fiction in general.
Brian on May 17, 2013
40
Yes they do. Futuristic space ships, teleportation, aliens, floating vehicles are typical sci-fi elements. Science fiction relies on science that doesn't exist yet, not on the contents of the story. It doesn't require social commentary, though the best sci-fi usually delivers on that too. Blade Runner has flying cars and androids, hence it's sci-fi. Hadn't Philip K. Dick included a social commentary, it would still be sci-fi.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
41
Umm... not hard sci-fi?
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
42
lol As if you could have Spaceships and Aliens WITHOUT Science FICTION
Dominic on Apr 2, 2013
43
good point there.
Austin Patrick on Apr 20, 2013
44
So true, not to mention how unbelievably stupid Trek 09 is. Star Trek always had scientific consultation so as to not appear implausible; I guess lil JJ is too good for that. Just a few points of the tip top of my head: A super nova that threatens the galaxy. Really? Fall into a black hole and be transported into the past. Really? Black holes are unimaginably destructive, their gravitational influence is so great that they flatten three dimensional objects into two dimensions! The mining platform hanging in the atmosphere from a ship that is orbiting the planet. Really? Spock can see the destruction of Vulcan in glorious detail with the naked eye while standing on another planet. Really? Most people look up at the night sky and can't tell Venus, Saturn and Mars from the other stars never mind the level of detail shown in this cinematic miscarriage. Fake Kirk goes from a 3rd year cadet to captain of Starfleet's flag ship. really? The movie is beyond retarded. Regardless of it's title, it's a bad story!
Brian on May 16, 2013
45
There have been a lot of points here, and a lot of you are wrong. Let me give you all a brief history lesson. Sci-Fi stands for Science Fiction. There's a debate as to when it started, but early ones include Jules Verne and Mary Shelley (Hence debate, over whether Frank was sci-fi or horror). The 1940s, the so-called golden-age, first brought about wide-spread readership. This is when sci-fi changed from cheap pulps to actual books. It also spawned the three grandmasters, Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. Since then, Sci-FI has spread out, and spread from books into movies/TV/etc. Lets go back to what Sci-Fi is. Science Fiction is fiction, that related to science. Sci-Fi differs from Fantasy because it is extrapolation. It takes current science, and what we know is true about the universe, and extrapolates. It doesn't conjure up magic tricks, like Fantasy. The reason that Brian is so bent out of shape about the 2009 Trek, is that "red Matter' makes no sense, and has no scientific basis. However, there are other elements in the movie that DO make sense. And it's entertaining. So it's good fiction ... bad "Science" Fiction. As to the comment that Sci-Fi "requires" political/social commentary ... that's wrong. But it's a mistake that is easy to make, because most good Sci-Fi DOES. Most good Fiction in general does. Now we go from fact to opinion. In my opinion, good Sci-Fi requires one additional thing besides extrapolation of technology/trends. It requires that the characters make sense. A good sci-fi book will take a few big ideas, inject them into the world to change it, and then examine how people react. If it's good, the people will make sense, and the book will make sense. Can an author make you identify with someone who is in a totally alien environment? If yes, then it's good fiction, and if the science makes sense, good science fiction as well.
Kelderic on Jun 6, 2013
46
One additional thing. For anyone looking to dive deeper into Sci-Fi, I'd recommend "From Here to Infinity: An Exploration of Science Fiction Literature". It is a recorded set of lectures from a college course taught on the subject, and it's quite in-depth. Amazon has it for sale, as do other places, and it can probably be found online for free somewhere, but I haven't looked.
Kelderic on Jun 6, 2013
47
'Nuff said.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
48
Black holes don't flatten three dimensional objects into two dimensions. Black holes compress three dimensional objects into four dimensions and greater. I.e., a thousand steel ball bearings can easily occupy the same space.
disqus_ucIWLiTToR on Jun 7, 2013
49
You definitely need to check the definition of sci-fi.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
50
The Man From Earth. I don't know if that counts as sci fi.
chiffmonkey on May 16, 2013
51
Snickers > M&Ms
⚔Christophuh⚔ on May 15, 2013
52
I think that the true meaning of District 9 was lost on the public. like good sci-fi it had a deeper, relevant meaning. D9 was a scathing criticism of what the is currently going on in Africa; everything despicable that was done to the aliens is currently be committed upon refugees today.
Brian on May 16, 2013
53
So glad you're here to condescend to us about "real sci-fi" and how none of us understood District 9. Where would we all BE without you, Brian?
Mike Grunwald on May 24, 2013
54
Not just in Africa, all over the world people is being treated like that.
douglasac on Jun 2, 2013
55
Because of it's deeper commentary, it WASN'T science fiction. Or only barely. It was 95% a human rights documentary. It just had a Sci-Fi-ish gloss over top, to make it more appealing and so raise awareness.
Kelderic on Jun 6, 2013
56
Pal, the best science-fiction is always a vehicle for social commentary. Asimov, K. Dick, Brunner, you name them. Always. FYI, science-fiction is a setting, rules for the depicted world like fantasy or western, but absolutely not the story itself.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
57
How is the Foundation series social commentary?
Kelderic on Sep 22, 2013
58
How is a scientist-led society becoming a fascist state not? How is the inescapable downfall of any kind of government not? How is the reliance in statistics, which by definition can't predict the unpredictable, not? Jeez, did you even read the books?
bfg666 on Sep 25, 2013
59
Great article, I also loved Upside Down and wish it would've gotten the credit it deserved. Out of all the films you mentioned the only one I've actually never seen is Gattaca so I think I'll check that out tonight. You mentioned World War Z and I'm curious as to if that would actually be considered sci fi?
Matt Peloquin on Mar 27, 2013
60
Unless the contagion comes from a technology that doesn't exist yet in today's real world (like in 28 Days Later), zombie movies are pure fantasy.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
61
THIS is one of the main reasons why I enjoy stopping by this website: An incredible & intricate article Alex!
Maxwell Morro on Mar 27, 2013
62
seconded! in fact, i've just re-read it. to all involved, many thanks. more of this, please!
son_et_lumiere on Mar 29, 2013
63
Danny Boyle's Sunshine and Duncan Jones' Moon are two of my favs from the last decade. I have high hopes for Elysium and Gravity.
Marcus on Mar 27, 2013
65
Right? This article is like an island in a sea of cynicism. Well done Alex!
axalon on Mar 28, 2013
66
My opinion, Avatar was much better than District 9...which I found quite forgettable. It wasn't underwhelming...but I've maybe been able to sit down and get through ONE re-watch of it since I saw it opening night in the theater. I could watch Avatar just about any day of the week.
Chris Groves on Mar 27, 2013
67
I'm sure you enjoyed transformers over inception as well
Hatorian on Mar 28, 2013
68
Nope, Inception is fantastic and gets better with every viewing while the Transformers films have a shelf-life of exactly one viewing. They are fun once, I won't pretend to not enjoy the spectacle...but the bad jokes, bad characterization, and bad pacing kill the entire experience after the 'fun' of seeing it once.
Chris Groves on May 26, 2013
69
All of which District 9 doesn't have. It's a great sci-fi film but clearly not a fun one, which is presumably why it eluded you. Then again, fun is a subjective notion: I, for one, take absolutely no fun in watching something as mindless as a Transformers flick, no matter how big the 'splosions.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
70
To be honest, in some points, D-9 tried a little too hard to be fun. The gun that causes people to explode seemed like it was only there to get some kind of "OH DAMN!" reaction from the "dudes" in the audience every time it was fired....which was a ridiculous amount of times. The things I dislike about Transformers and District 9 are quite different. The Transformers movies are a bit too 'willfully dumb' while District 9 just has structural and stylistic problems that make it unappealing to me. D-9 was a bit too insistent on being overly gritty and violent, and the narrative style of switching between 'found footage', 'post-event interviews' and the traditional narrative style whenever it was convenient kind of irked me. "Oh, lets do post-event interviews to set the mood and spoil that a lot of these characters will survive the events of the story" "Oh, lets cut to security camera footage because it will be cool, and then we can say that the movie was grounded in reality." "Oh, we don't have any avenue for telling this part of the story with some sort of found-footage? Well, we'll just go traditional narrative style, just because." "The movie is starting to lose it's legs, lets throw in some gross-out violence to catch everyone's attention, that will be cool." I don't like to get heavily into all of the things I dislike about District 9, because it makes it seem like I just loathe the movie, when that's far from true. It's a good movie, but has it's flaws that keep me from loving it, and I'm genuinely perplexed that some people see it as some kind of holy grail of modern sci-fi.
Chris Groves on Sep 22, 2013
71
I didn't feel this randomness you're describing at all when watching D9. I dunno, maybe you're overanalyzing what is essentially a good B-movie with a relevant social commentary. I think what makes it so praised is 1) the fact that it's a south-african movie with production value on par with what Hollywood can deliver; 2) what impressed me most, which is the perfect integration of CGI in such shaky camera moves. If you didn't like the style of D9, I doubt you'll like Elysium. I just saw it and it's basically the same with a wider scope (minus security footage and a little less gore). Nice heartless bitch performance by Jodie Foster though, and it's good to hear french not butchered by the actors for a change (yes, I'm looking at you, croatian Mira Furlan - Danielle Rousseau of Lost fame). Even Foster who usually speaks a nice french but with a slight accent sounds fully french-born here. In a time of Norse gods (or french revolutionaries) speaking modern english, it's quite refreshing.
bfg666 on Sep 25, 2013
72
Avatar better than D9? I liked Dances with Wolves too....when it came out in the 90s.
Brian Sleider on Mar 28, 2013
73
The "fish-out-of-water" story is as old as the hills, long before that 1990 film. Avatar was a very average example of that story idea.
$126191 on Mar 29, 2013
74
Yeah, just because he hasn't exploded as a star since Avatar doesn't mean his performance didn't work great in Avatar.
Chris Groves on Mar 28, 2013
75
If more films like Moon are produced and less films like Star Trek XI make it to the big screen, then I'll think Hollywood got it right. Unfortunately Hollywood values flash and sex over relevant social commentary (which is what great sci-fi has always been about) and good solid storytelling. I suspect we'll have a lot more sci-fi that emphasize big explosions, copious amounts of CGI and half naked actors and less of the type that makes us think and evaluate ourselves.
vangpo on Mar 27, 2013
76
As a cinephile I completely agree, but the side of me that uses movies to escape sometimes doesnt, and that can be said for a big chunk of moviegoers as well, some people dont want to think and just want to switch there brains off.
Cody W on Mar 27, 2013
77
i think you can have both the social commentary @vangpo:disqus talks about and the escapism and still retain good storytelling and characterisation - provided the film-makers and studios bother to put the effort in. Blade Runner has its analysis of morality and mortality, Alien has its big set-piece shocks, but both rely not just on well-executed spectacle but also on the audience caring about the characters portrayed, because of good writing in alliance with good acting. here's to more of *that*.
son_et_lumiere on Mar 28, 2013
78
A good script and characters that you care about is one thing, but existential, thought provoking movies is another. Dont get me wrong, I agree with you completely, but I think its safe to say people dont want to have to think about life and moralities etc when they walk into a theater, people have to think about enough shit as it let alone have a medium that they go for distraction and entertainment preach to them about it.
Cody W on Mar 30, 2013
79
Hence why science fiction draws a smaller audience. Sci-fi fans enjoy the debate and enjoy the intellectual and often times spiritual challenges posed by true science fiction. We want to entertain our minds, not turn them off. A good example of this is Prometheus. So many people hated this film because it required them to think! If one is not a cerebral individual then the film is lost on them. Personally, this film gave me a slight hope for science fiction in the cinematic media.
Brian on May 16, 2013
80
Was my first thought about this when I saw the title. There's a lot more flash in the movies, but less thoughtfulness and intelligence, or even decent scripts in the genre.
$126191 on Mar 29, 2013
81
The new Star Treks are great summer adventure movies. They're well-made and extremely entertaining. They wouldn't draw so much criticism if they weren't Star Trek films. I love old Star Trek and Moon too, but Abrams Trek offers simple stories about life in general that resonate with me, plus bits of old Star Trek for nostalgia value, in a beautiful package, so I have to choose them. To my surprise, Star Trek XI has proven to be one of the most rewatchable films in my collection. And there's about 30 seconds of "half naked actors" in it.
Andro ang Christopher on Apr 21, 2013
82
Amazing article, Alex. Here's hoping Blomkamp delivers with 'Elysium.' My expectations are pretty high. Also can't wait to see what GDT does with Pacific Rim.
Chris Bob on Mar 27, 2013
83
Woot! Can't wait to see Elysium!!
Linkfx on Mar 27, 2013
84
The article left me with two questions; when does/did this era begin and is there really a value in celebrating bad SF just because it's SF. Whatever year you state as the year of era inception, one can step back just one year and find a litany of SF, especially if the quality of that SF isn't at question. Very quickly you'll find yourself back in the Nineties with the last remarked era of SF. Don't get me wrong, I love good SF. I'm a SF fan. Which is why I can't celebrate bad SciFi. When SF elements are used as a crutch to try and tell bad stories (Looper, for example), this shouldn't be applauded. This will just encourage Hollywood and Indie to continue to make bad movies. (Also, if we're celebrating a genre, it would be good to correctly categorise the specific movies) All in all, If a new golden age of SF is upon us, we won't know it without hindsight (as with all golden ages).
Alan McNevin on Mar 27, 2013
85
Looper wasn't a bad movie. It had its flaws, yes, but it was pretty good overall. Also, no movie in this list was wrongly categorized, all of them can be called sci-fi (see my answer to Brian Sleider above). Some of them are more than that, but all of them are indeed sci-fi.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
86
I liked all of these... except (Im sure Im in the minority) for Moon. Moon was a great idea, I just didnt like the execution.
Keltari on Mar 27, 2013
87
I was one of the few who wasn't a fan of Inception. No, it's not because I couldn't understand it. Just didn't care for it. All these other movies he mentioned are great though. Cloverfield is one of my favorites in the last decade or so. District 9 was very well done, as was Looper, and I thought Attack the Block was awesome.
JacksonHart on Mar 27, 2013
88
Gattaca...one of the best truly grounded Sci-Fi movies ever.
YeahISaidIt on Mar 28, 2013
89
+1 for Gattaca!
Brian on May 16, 2013
90
inception and gattaca are two classic movies who can join predator, alien and kubricks 2001 in the pantheon of godlike sience fiction movies. The other ones are also great but to much''popcorn ''!
avi on Mar 28, 2013
92
Predator, really? At least Alien has a message about corporate greed but Predator? Now Total Recall was good cinematic sci-fi.
Brian on May 16, 2013
93
Did anyone else like Pandorum? I thought it was going to be awful, but I was pleasantly surprised by it. That it was great.
Scuba Steve on Mar 28, 2013
94
i liked Pandorum, the last 15 minits where astonishing! Great movie...
avi on Mar 28, 2013
95
These articles on future Sci-Fi are the best you've written Alex. But what about TV, what has happened there last 10 years in Sci-Fi and what is on the horizon in TV-land for Sci-Fi shows(yes, somewhat rhetorical, but TV and movies often mingle)? Remind me please 🙂
David Banner on Mar 28, 2013
96
Cloverfield was shit and looper was waaaaay overrated
Hatorian on Mar 28, 2013
97
CloverField is not SciFi. It is action horror. Adding in an "alien" does not a SciFi movie make.
Brian Sleider on Mar 28, 2013
98
Yes it does. Again, buy a dictionary.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
99
Just noticed... the site has the initials FS which is SF backwards. Pretty *ucked up, eh? Amazing article(s). Appreciate the love and sweat put into this. Here's to science fiction and cinema!
Isildur_of_Numenor on Mar 28, 2013
101
#9 alien invasion = sci-fi #8 other worlds and aliens = sci-fi #7 alien invasion = sci-fi #6 time travel = sci-fi #5 space travel = sci-fi #4 moon base = sci-fi #3 robots = sci-fi #2 alien invasion = sci-fi #1 tech allowing dream exploration = sci-fi Buy a dictionary.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
102
If you're including films with religion tied in like some (the Seth Rogen one is more religiously toned than sci-fi. I'd explain but I don't want to spoil it) then would Darren Aronofsky's NOAH deserve a spot on this list?
Greg dinskisk on Mar 28, 2013
103
104
Alright, thanks! Just wondering!
Greg dinskisk on Mar 28, 2013
105
106
Unless God is revealed to be an alien, it actually has strictly nothing sci-fi. Fantasy and sci-fi are two very different (one might even say opposite) notions. They may sometimes get blended in the same story but still, they don't mean the same thing at all.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
107
We have an entire universe of trek next gen ds9 and movies where Romulus and Vulcan exist J J Abrams is non canon
dave on Mar 29, 2013
108
You need to grasp the concept of alternate realities. Abrams' reality is now as much canon as the rest. Deal with it.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
109
Sunshine was defo better than Avatar, Cloverfield, Star Trek.... It also has the best score (well second best - Moon would be number 1 ) of the films listed.
gert on Mar 29, 2013
110
It's a crying shame that while American science fiction films are flourishing, American science fiction novels are all but dead. I remember the days in the 70s and 80s when Asimov, Clarke and others spent weeks on the NYT Bestseller Lists. All the best science fiction nowadays is from Great Britain. But it doesn't sell here. We just had an major and amazing new novel from Peter F. Hamilton, Great North Road that didn't even get near the Bestseller lists. Why are science fiction novels dying as science fiction films flourish?
David Keith on Mar 29, 2013
111
Not a John Sclazi fan, huh? I thought the Old Man's War series was rather good.
Zeph on Mar 30, 2013
112
It'll come back around, Steampunk, horror, and fantasy seems to be the flavor currently, and if you are looking for a science fix, steampunk while not futuristic science, does have it's own flare. Side note, read Ready Player One, for a bit of scifi and a great nostalgia trip if you are over the age of 25, and WB picked up the rights for the movie version so hopefully we will see it soon. For now film wise look forward to Elisyum, Pacific Rim, and Ender's Game
The Saint on Jun 24, 2013
113
What about Kim Stanley Robinson? He's still around and I'm pretty sure he's one of the heavyweights in the trade.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
114
Keep an eye out for Samuel Blondahl's The Anahita Chronicles too. As soon as a studio buys the rights. Hey studios, buy the rights ! http://www.blondahl.ca
definately not the author on Mar 29, 2013
115
So, when does Flesh Gordon get remade?
Steve on Mar 31, 2013
116
Hopefully never. And it's Flash, Flesh Gordon is a porn parody.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
117
Overall good list, but just 1 question.... Where Da' Fuq is the " JLA " ?!!!!!
JustAClearMan on Mar 31, 2013
118
119
Read. The. Goddamn. Article. Jeez!
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
120
I, for one cannot wait for "Tards from Phobos" and the epic "Spetnaz-V-Cosmic Lesbian Mutants" Golden days of sci-fi ahead, my friends. And they'll both have Worthington.
Thom on Mar 31, 2013
121
If only someone was doing a proper adaptation of an Alastair Reynolds or Iain M. Banks story...
k5000 on Apr 2, 2013
122
What happened to Amazing Spiderman 2, Captain America: Winter Soldier, TMNT, and Wolverine?
Prince Awesom3 on Apr 6, 2013
123
124
You might wanna read the article before asking stupid questions about superheroes.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
125
If anyone can come up with stuff in their bedrooms which is just as good as what Hollywood does, then where does that leave Hollywood? I think it will go the way of the music industry, where it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to have a sustainable career as a creator in movies. This will 'commoditize' talent and creativity.
cy12 on Apr 8, 2013
126
Kind of amazed to see Rendezvous with Rama mentioned. I remember reading about how that film was "coming" over 10 years ago. I kid you not. Morgan Freeman was pushing it, and they even had an official website for a while. I think they even debuted some wireframe footage at one point. Sadly, I'm not holding out hope it will appear within the next 10 years either.
crystaltowers on Apr 8, 2013
127
Maybe it went back into development hell after they witnessed the videogame make such a flop.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
128
I am still crushed by what appears to be a miserable remake of RoboCop. The one thing the City of Detroit had going for it was RoboCop and now they are even going to mess that up. They should have begged Peter Weller to done the costume again. People would be lined up for a mile to see it.
bill c on Apr 9, 2013
129
Oh yea, someone please share with me why Avatar was such a hit? The story was stupid, the acting bad and the CGI was miserable. Someone help me out here.
bill c on Apr 9, 2013
130
Cool story Bill. To answer your question: It was a hit because most people liked it, even though you didn't. To date, $2.7billion at the box office.
crystaltowers on May 1, 2013
131
You forgot to mention; Clash of The Titans 3; the sequel to Wrath of The Titans.
Alex Diaz on Apr 9, 2013
132
Nope. Even if it had the slightest chance to be good, we're talking sci-fi here.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
133
That Seth Rogen film sounds like the perfect excuse to carpet bomb a set. You'd wipe out most of the annoying little shits in film today without any effort.
Bite me on Apr 11, 2013
134
There's also Cloud Atlas.
Red on Apr 11, 2013
136
Moon and District where the only two i can say really hit emotionally, the rest of these films where good some great but didnt hit the same spot those two did.
Juan A. Valdivia on Apr 12, 2013
137
district 9 !for the win
jeff on Apr 14, 2013
138
nice article. but, apart from the top four, a pretty poor choice of films in my opinion.
steak and kidney pie on Apr 17, 2013
139
perhaps James Cameron should take notice of the Kubrick quote before releasing films like Avatar.
spag bol on Apr 17, 2013
141
Here are some 50s/60s classics I wouldn't mind seeing as remakes (with adventurous, imaginative directors & writers, able to kick the story up a notch from the original film): Kronos; Forbidden Planet; The Flame Barrier; Gorgo. Plus, A comic book I've always thought could make a great movie is "Turok, Son Of Stone". I'm a bit tired of superheroes at this point due to oversaturation.
nobonesl on Apr 20, 2013
142
J. Michael Straczynski has written a Forbidden Planet prequel (the story of the original Bellerophon expedition) that, if successful, would become a trilogy, the last of which would be a remake of the original. Premise is that much of what Morbius told the crew was untrue (perfectly credible!), allowing JMS to include all sorts of surprises without contradicting the original. No reason why this shouldn't happen some day!
ericmvan on Apr 25, 2013
143
Turok, seriously? The guy who goes back in time to stuff a bunch of dinos with some lead? Uh, no thanks.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
144
Lead? No--Stone, actually. Hence the title, "Turok, Son Of Stone". Stone arrowheads. Actually, it was poisoned arrows using venom from some exotic plant, I believe. They were Sioux warriors somehow transported thru time. Works for me. The suits aren't as cool as in the superheroes' stuff, though, I must admit. But the Honkers rock!
nobonesl on Sep 20, 2013
145
I remember playing the first videogames, of which the comics were derived, and Turok had a shotgun and other modern weapons. I read a recent comic a few months ago, and there were also more modern weapons than bows and arrows.
bfg666 on Sep 21, 2013
146
Here's a personal top 25 favorites, including a whole mess of under-the-radar gems, from a World Fantasy Award nominee who has seen a ton. Plus grades on a 0-100 scale! (I don't really dispute the high ratings given in the article to four films that didn't quite wow me as much as others; taste is taste.) 25. Knowing (2009), 80; 24. Timecrimes (2008), 80; 23. Another Earth (2011), 80; 22. Never Let Me Go (2010), 81; 21. The Hunger Games (2012), 81; 20. Cloverfield (2008), 81; 19. Safety Not Guaranteed (2012), 81; 18. Looper (2012), 82; 17. Fish Story (2011 DVD), 83; 16. Monsters (2010), 84, 15. Wall-E (2008), 84; 14. Prometheus (2012), 85 [largely for the visuals], 13. Limitless (2011), 85, 12. Moon (2009), 85; 11. Source Code (2011), 86; 10. The Adjustment Bureau (2011), 86; 9. Sound of My Voice (2012), 87; 8. Perfect Sense (2012), 87; 7. Attack the Block (2011), 87; 6. Star Trek (2009), 88; 5. District 9 (2009), 88; 4. Avatar (2009), 96; 3. Cloud Atlas (2012), 99 and the only egregious omission from the article; 2. Inception (2010) ... and what could possibly by #1? Upstream Color (2013), 100. 1.
ericmvan on Apr 25, 2013
147
Bookmarking this, and noting the irony that you left out *one of the two or three best science fiction films of all time,* which opened April 5: Shane Carruth's follow-up to Primer, Upstream Color.
ericmvan on Apr 25, 2013
148
Avatar is a shit movie, the only thing going for it was the graphics.
anon on Apr 30, 2013
149
Graphics are what they have in video games. Movies have CGI or special effects
Huels on May 12, 2013
150
I still can't believe Roland Emmerich is attached to Foundation. I can see it now, 2 hours of Harry Seldon narrowly outrunning collapsing buildings. A perfect title would be Foundation: Escape From Trantor.
The Mighty Pathos on May 1, 2013
151
Right here with you. You don't give such a staple of intelligent sci-fi to a hack like Emmerich.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
153
Iron Man isnt sci fi? ok, you're an idiot.
⚔Christophuh⚔ on May 15, 2013
154
Well it is, but its mostly superhero genre
Kyle Edgecomb on Sep 15, 2013
155
As a huge animé fan I can't help but notice that both Battle Angel (Alita) and the live action Ghost in the Shell are missing... the rights being owned by Cameron & Spielberg respectively. These are both based on seminal works of fiction and if handled well (as in NOT like Dragonball), could take sci-fi into a new era. While Cameron has stated that Battle Angel is not going to be started until Avatar is completed (so 2016/7), it appears GITS has dissapeared off the radar. Lets all forget about DeCaprio's Akira... please.
Dante Solablood on May 23, 2013
156
These are all great movies...except Cloverfield....that had people too stupid to be enjoyed.
Gudni on May 25, 2013
157
15 Season of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis should have help a little to this "Sci-Fi Boom"
douglasac on Jun 2, 2013
158
I'm going to watch Cloverfield just right before Pacific Rim comes out to put me in the right mood for some 'Kaiju' bashing 🙂
Guess on Jun 3, 2013
159
Uh, you missed "Primer."
J.F. King on Jun 5, 2013
160
I couldn't finish that movie, it looked cool but I was lost and I still have to finish it. Hopefully some time soon, I guess.
David on Aug 4, 2013
161
"Forbidden Planet" and the original "Star Wars" still set the all time standard for me. When I compare those movies to your "last five years" list, only "Avatar" and the new "Star Trek" are in the same league.
OldMule on Jun 5, 2013
162
Of course, the first four being in a much higher league. That is, sci-fi that makes you think, which is what the best sci-fi is always about.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
163
Avatar was a rip off of Fern Gulley.
Mars on Sep 22, 2013
164
Nice article. Only issue ... Starship Troopers is the gold standard of how NOT to make a sci-fi movie. It's what I judge sci-fi movies made from books against, in terms of utter terrible-ness. Starship Troopers took the ideas of the book, ripped them to pieces, threw them on the ground, spit, doused gasoline, and lit them on fire.
Kelderic on Jun 6, 2013
165
And made a good movie. The future fascist state in the movie is straight from the books.
Wilf Tarquin on Aug 3, 2013
166
Given that you seem to think it's a series, not a single book, I don't think that you've actually read it. If you had, (assuming you know the definition of the word 'fascism'), you wouldn't have made that comment.
Kelderic on Aug 4, 2013
167
Hm? Oh, I see - "books". Heinlein wrote a lot of books, none of which particularly good, and the society he outlines as his utopia is fascist. That Verhoeven played that straight, and made the film as a propaganda film from a future fascist dictatorship, was part of what made the film great.
Wilf Tarquin on Aug 4, 2013
168
Please explain how a society in which every single person, regardless of sex, race, etc etc, has the opportunity to vote and run for office is a fascist state?
Kelderic on Aug 5, 2013
169
They don't. Only military veterans were allowed to vote in Heinleins utopia, (because the military makes responsible citizens). The society was also formed by a military coup.
Wilf Tarquin on Aug 5, 2013
170
They do, because every person, regardless of sex, race,etc etc, can serve a term in the military and earn the right to vote. Which brings me back to, everyone has the opportunity to vote. Not all take it. In our own society, people still have to do things in order to vote. One has to register, one has to complete jury duty. The differences are that in his idea, the requirements are a bit more rigorous (prove you care about society by putting yourself in possible danger to protect it), and that it's optional, unlike with our own requirements. Additionally, the vote is not actually limited to military veterans in that society. There are other equivalents to military service.
Kelderic on Aug 6, 2013
171
You don't "earn" the right to vote in a democracy, and thankfully not by serving as disposable cannon fodder for the higher-ups. You have it, plain and simple, and you don't need to do anything for it. They might strip you of it if you refuse to do your civic duty, not the other way around. Society as depicted in Heinlein's book is a fascist state because it requires you to conform to abusive rules to be considered a citizen, squashing your individuality and personality in the process. It is an ant farm designed for humans. Also, the idea that serving in the military makes responsible citizens is an especially partial and twisted vision of human nature that the military like to teach their offspring.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
172
I'm not sure where you got your ideas on Fascism, but being required to conform has nothing to do with it. Fascism means that a single entity, be it a single person or a group of like-minded people, control the government. Given that in the world in that book, anyone could earn the right to vote, and could vote however they wanted, fascism is factually incorrect.You can dislike the system, you can be glad it's not our system, but you can't just call it something it isn't. Well you can, but you'd be wrong. Your last paragraph, about how serving in the military doesn't cause responsibility, is more of an opinion, and you are certainly entitled to whatever opinion you'd like to hold. I hold a different one though. I would say that a person who is willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of others is on average a more responsible citizen. It doesn't mean that I agree that the world that Heinlein describes is a place I'd want to live in. It doesn't mean that that system is fair, or even logical. But it's certainly not fascism. It's just a more limited democracy than our own. One thing I always recommend to people when I speak in person about this issue is that they read The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress. Also be Heinlein, it discusses a situation that is almost exactly opposite. An exploration of libertarianism to the point of anarchism. Reading both books gives a much better feel of the author than either one by itself.
Kelderic on Sep 22, 2013
173
A system that requires you to comply to certain rules in order to acquire full citizenship clearly is closer to fascism than democracy. It's even worse because it doesn't have the balls to put the right words on its methods and uses a pseudo-democratic facade to hide its deviousness (Huxley's Brave New World ringing any bell?). My last paragraph is not an opinion. Believing the military makes responsible citizens, however, is. Education does that. Granted, a few thick skulls need to be mistreated by a frustrated sarge to get that education across but I surely didn't need to serve to become a responsible citizen. Also, I know people who were damaged (both physically and psychologically, sometimes permanently) by their time in the army, so please don't feed me that partial crap. To travesty a quote of yours, I would say that a person who is willing to kill others is in no way a more responsible citizen. Your mention of The Moon... has little to no relevance here. Any author can write about anything, that doesn't mean he endorses the ideas developed in his books. Even if he does... well, Heinlein was a complex man who contradicted himself more than once. And I specifically talked about Starship Troopers, not another book or its author - though ST is believed to be the closest Heinlein ever wrote to his own ideas.
bfg666 on Sep 26, 2013
174
When the ideas of the book are so nauseous, what Verhoeven did is in the public interest.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
175
Seen all of these films, surprisingly..
James Justsun Jr on Jul 3, 2013
176
Just as long as they leave the Heinlein novels alone. After the way they screwed up Starship Troopers, I hope they leave Heinlein's worl alone.
John Taylor on Jul 5, 2013
177
Asimov's works are touched in "Elysium"
David on Aug 4, 2013
178
You mean "after the way they enhanced Starship Troopers", right? Verhoeven turned a borderline fascist book glorifying the military into a brilliant and much needed political satire.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
179
Really? I think Verhoeven turned a great book into a completely crappy movie. Borderline fascist? The movie was more than borderline where the book wasn't even remotely anything like fascist. I have encountered this opinion before. Usually expressed by someone who doesn't know the history of this country's military. Specifics in the movie. The whole of the character Carl. A science geek who gets killed off early in the book. Not some mental super-Nazi like in the movie. The women pilots. In the book, all wore buzz cuts/short hair. No A.G. in the book. Landing in transports. Most of the book, the landings were one man shells launched from tubes aboard ship. Where was the powered armor so prminent in the book? A lot more of the book dealt with training. Then there was the main character. Johnny Rico was not some white bread dude. He was from the Philippines. A matter of ethnic diversity which seemed to be almost totally absent in the movie.
John Taylor on Sep 20, 2013
180
The book wasn't even remotely anything like fascist? Wow, that's rich! I suggest you read it again, it has apparently eluded you. Furthermore, the book was completely first degree as it expressed the views of its author. Indeed, Verhoeven did underline the rampant fascism of the militaristic society depicted, so what? He did so with the specific purpose of an ever needed satire in mind, to call said society out on its sickening deviousness and warn us about its dangers, should mankind ever follow this dreadful path again. At least, a full-blown dictature has the honesty of laying its cards on the table, but hiding itself under the guise of a pseudo-democracy is much, much worse. Need I remind you this is exactly what happened in Nazi Germany? Things were kept under wraps and the overwhelming majority of the german people had no idea what was really going on until it was way too late. Remember the outcome? Also, what's the history of your country's military, whichever it might be, got to do with the subject? Unless you're German or Italian, nothing. You want a patriotic history lesson, go read a history book or watch a documentary. This is a fictional story about a future fascist society, for crying out loud! And please, don't even try to balance the substance of Verhoeven's purpose with mere details. I mean come on, transports, armors and... oh, haircuts, really? Jeez, this is so fucking preposterous! By the way, the absence of those powered armors was a budgetary constraint and the replacement of the Philippino lead by a white guy was to attract a larger audience, I thought these points obvious much. And you can't possibly cram everything from a book into the timeframe of a movie, this should be pretty obvious too. There has to be some cuts and I'm sorry but wasting one hour watching a bunch of grunts train would've been one hell of a drag. Again, if you want that, you can always jerk off to a documentary.
bfg666 on Oct 2, 2013
181
One opf my favorites. Have read it many times. Absolutely nothing fascist about it. A strong support of the military, but also a strong support of the individual's right to choose his or her own fate. If you consider that fascist, then that's your right. However it is my right to accuse you of being incorrect in your assessment of the novel.
John Taylor on Oct 3, 2013
182
That's exactly the point you're missing: there's no real right to choose when you're not considered a citizen unless you forfeit your fate to the State. I didn't think it could be so hard to understand.
bfg666 on Oct 3, 2013
183
Well, you had Star Trek and Avatar, so the list wasn't completely dreck.
John Taylor on Jul 12, 2013
184
Sadly, the good ones tend to do badly at the box office (Firefly, District 9, Cloud Atlas, Dredd...) while the junk rakes in both cash and scorn (Star Wars 1-3, Pacific Rim, Prometheus...). The one exception I can think of offhand is John Carter, which was both bad and had poor sales, proving that yes, it is possible for films to be too horrible even for the kiddie crowd.
Wilf Tarquin on Jul 20, 2013
185
.Prometheus was prety good, you probably just didn't get it.
Håkon on Jul 31, 2013
186
District 9 did pretty good and Pacific Rim was an incredibly fun popcorn flick that didn't do that great actually.
Bob on Aug 3, 2013
187
I would not put pacific rim in with prometheus and star wars because it was everything it ever promised to be. A romantic B movie about giant fighting robots.
Chris Cubitt on Sep 4, 2013
188
Prometheus was epic, exactly what it should have been. Cloud Atlas was dumb. Far too long and a rip of so many movies. And John Carter was a C movie but the ending made it purely awesome.
Mars on Sep 22, 2013
189
I personally didn't really like Looper or Elysium (which I just saw today) - I thought they were too violent and put too much value in showing bloody gory messes. But I am really happy that sci-fi is making such a huge comeback, as it's my favorite genre. And I agree with you that Upside Down is amazing and it's a shame that more people haven't seen it.
spyergirl4 on Aug 9, 2013
190
Im dying to see Upside Down, they havent released it in UK yet, and alls we know is Lionsgate is distrubuting it in UK
Kyle Edgecomb on Sep 15, 2013
191
You're sure they haven't released it yet and you simply missed it? I'm french and it was released in April in France, but it stayed two weeks tops in theaters. It's pretty good if a bit mellow, but I guess that's to be expected from any Romeo and Juliet retelling.
bfg666 on Oct 3, 2013
192
Im pretty sure, been keeping my eye out for it since last year, i might just buy the dvd from the US, cause im sick of waiting
Kyle Edgecomb on Oct 3, 2013
193
Probably a good move. If they haven't released it at this point and are still not communicating about a release date, it means they have little to no care for it and bought the distribution rights only to prevent it from casting a shadow over one of their big releases. And if you like it and they finally deign to release it, you could watch it again in a theater then.
bfg666 on Oct 3, 2013
194
It's on Netflix here in the USA... ("/)_-
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
195
While not a movie, yet, I'd like to bring up the Mass Effect series. It's got an awesome universe, cool science and tech, great characters, an involving and emotional story, and it can really get to you when you get invested in it. Not a movie, but it ticks every box for 'great sci -fi' in my opinion.
Amanda Marvell on Aug 26, 2013
196
Agree!
waenhir on Sep 8, 2013
197
Hah, Mass Effect is a total joke! Do you honesty want Transformers or Star Trek Into Darkness, AGAIN? Oh, wait, you do! You wouldn't care? You just want "Mass Effect" as the title of the dam movie!
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
198
I don't care about the movie, I was on about the video game series; and as I said, in my opinion it's excellent science-fiction. Besides, the movie's barely even started production, who know's what it'll be like: all we know for sure is that it's source material is great.
Amanda Marvell on Jan 4, 2014
199
Wait, there's going to be a Mass Effect movie? What?! That's ridiculous! There's already books and video games! The video game would NOT rival the movie! That's utter trash! A movie? How idiotic of them!
Saros7 on Jan 6, 2014
200
I am still waiting on the "Fallout" movie... Guess i'll keep on waiting.
Brian Beard on Aug 27, 2013
201
I know theres this one sci fi coming out next year called Jupiter Ascending.....sounds interesting
Kyle Edgecomb on Sep 15, 2013
202
Moon is basically the 2001 of the XXIst century, it's most definitely worth watching.
bfg666 on Sep 20, 2013
203
Disconnect is a verb. Disconnection is the corresponding noun.
B2 on Oct 7, 2013
204
C'mon man! English is pretty darn versatile. dis·con·nect noun - a discrepancy or lack of connection.
hp b on Oct 23, 2013
205
This is the internet buddy, it's no place for perfect grammar.
John on Dec 31, 2013
206
Atrocious music and HUGE sci-fi movies. Proof that we're living in a repeat of the 80s.
Jeremy Schep on Oct 25, 2013
207
We just need a 6'8 actor to dress up in a Sasquatch costume and a brother and sister that never knew of each other! Hah!
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
208
I just came to say... Have you watched Guardians of the Galaxy? because, well, it's awful, and it's exactly what you described there. I'm sure George and the rest of Marvel is getting royalties from all the sideshows they're leeching from their characters
Saros7 on Sep 8, 2014
209
I'm glad (and hoping it continues) that I'm still alive for this resurgence of Sci Fi, animation and the plethora of superhero adaptations. Glory be to whatever cosmic force allowed me not to die (permanently) after a cement truck made a pancake out of me and my car in '81 and through the illnesses I have now. Keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way!
Rob Dotzler on Dec 17, 2013
210
Looper was a pathetic film, it doesn't deserve a place on this list. It's arguable that it's worth a watch, but it doesn't deserve to be called one of the best sci-fi movies of the last 5 years because it doesn't work. The main problems are firstly, the time travel aspect which revolves around the films climax don't work, (Of course, I understand this is science fiction we're talking about and not truth, but the logic of it creates a paradox, and as such, as far as I can work out, prevents it from working,) and secondly the completely underdeveloped back story and that whole thing with the telekinetic people? That definitely was far too subtextualised, I'm not saying it needed to be spelled out, but it was just sort of there and then all of a sudden it became a massive plot point, seemingly out of nowhere. Woops, I've gone on a rant, apologies, if anyone would like to further discuss Looper, hit me up!
Samuel Nicholson on Dec 20, 2013
211
Paradoxes such as the well known Grandfather Paradox are illogical. The only way backwards time travel would be possible is if there are infinite numbers of parallel universes, one for each possible outcome of every event that takes place in the entire universe, from a leaf falling from a tree to events on a cosmological scale. It would not work otherwise. Going back to the Grandfather Paradox. It proposes that if you went back and killed your grandfather before he met your grandmother then you would no longer exist. This of course is preposterous, you are not just going to disappear! It would simply mean that another timeline, or parallel universe, is created in which your parents never existed and in which a strange person with no past history suddenly showed up and killed a person. As for the universe you came from, you would simply become a missing person case. You disappeared and were never seen again, everyone would go on with their lives and you'd live the rest of yours in an alternate timeline, possibly in prison as a convicted murder with no past! I can't remember exactly how Looper finished but I'm sure if you think along the same lines as my thoughts above it will make sense......or at least there would no longer be a paradox.
John on Dec 31, 2013
212
Time Travel would not make sense at all then!? It's as real as the Tooth Fairy and Sasquatch!
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
213
Backwards time travel, no. Forwards time travel, yes absolutely, so long as you can find a spacecraft that can go fast enough.
inefekt on Jan 5, 2014
214
Not possible, period
Saros7 on Jan 6, 2014
215
I suggest you familiarize yourself with Einstein's theory of relativity, in particular 'time dilation'. Time slows down, relative to the observer, the closer you approach the speed of light. So if you go fast enough then time will slow down enough that for every day you spend on the spacecraft, 100 years may pass for everybody else. One week later and you come back to a world which is now 700 years older than the one you left. This phenomenon has been proven in a host of experiments over the years so yes, time travel into the future is possible.
inefekt on Sep 8, 2014
216
That's not time travel, that sounds like a group of travelers running away from their problems.
Saros7 on Sep 8, 2014
217
Try reallocating some time away from Facebook and redirecting it towards something more constructive..........like actually researching your subject before making blind statements, which are absolutely and undeniably wrong. I'm done trying to convince idiots, it's a waste of my time.
inefekt on Sep 20, 2014
218
Well, you said that time travel is possible, but, there's a but...just as long as the travelers leave first and then come back. That means that those travelers went on a suicide mission to leave, let's say Earth, they come back and whoever is left would not even know if a spaceship was supposed to come back.
Saros7 on Sep 22, 2014
219
Just having a lot of sci fi films does not mean that things are great. Essentially, 80% of movies that come out in the sci fi genre are the same story. It would be a great time for sci fi if many different types of sci fi stories were being told rather than more Hollywood rehashes of the same us vs. them plot/ good guy vs. bad guy plots
msep on Dec 22, 2013
220
The days of films like Contact and 2001 are over... These days the kiddies want to see Iron Man grinding against Thor while Loki watches.
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
221
It's best to NOT cast "A-List" *cough* Hollywood douchebags* coughs* for "grounded" Sci-Fi movies.... I think it's best to leave Sci-Fi to guys outside America... Just saying...
Saros7 on Jan 4, 2014
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH