Gallery: Mark Your Calendars: The Most Exciting Movies, TV, and Books Coming in 2014
01X-MenDoFP
There's already talk that 2015 is going to be the year we hit the Nerd Singularity. With movies like *The Avengers: Age of Ultron* and *Star Wars: Episode VII* hitting theaters in the same year, all geek sights are set on the 2015 prize. Well, if that's true, 2014 is looking like it'll be a pretty great ramp-up – and not just at the multiplex. Sure, *Guardians of the Galaxy* and the Wachowskis' *Jupiter Ascending* will be hitting theaters, but there are also new seasons of *Community* and *Orange Is the New Black* coming to our TVs and a new book from *Ready Player One* writer Ernie Cline coming to our nightstands. It's going to be a good year, you guys. Here's what we're most looking forward to in 2014. Above: *X-Men: Days of Future Past* Finally Being a Reality ----------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ It seems as though we've been talking about *X-Men: Days of Future Past* for *years*. That's because we have. And for good reason. For the latest *X-Men*, director Bryan Singer is basically pulling together A-teams from all the X-Men movies for a time-jumping ride that might just make our heads and hearts explode and leave us waving flags that say "Worth it!" We could say more, but seriously – watch this trailer and then pretend you're not wishing you could just sleep until May. __When it's coming:__ May 23, 2014
02Better Call Saul
Getting Addicted to *Breaking Bad* All Over Again With *Better Call Saul* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ The return of Saul Goodman in our lives. There's little known about this *Breaking Bad* spin-off beyond the fact that it'll be a prequel of sorts to the time Saul (Bob Odenkirk) spent helping Walt and Jesse with their meth business. Doesn't matter, our hearts have felt empty since we said good-bye to our baby blue, and we'll take any fix we can get. (Added bonus? It'll be [available for streaming on Netflix](http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/netflix-to-stream-breaking-bad-spinoff-better-call-saul/) as soon as the season finale airs on AMC.) __When it's coming:__ Sometime, 2014 *Photo: AMC*
03Orphan Black
*Orphan Black*'s Attack of the Clones ------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ *Orphan Black* – largely thanks to the mad skills of Tatiana Maslany, who plays many different clones on the show – was a creeper hit this past year on BBC America. It's headed back this spring, just in time for everyone who slept on the show (like us) to catch up on their new favorite obsession. __When it's coming:__ April 19, 2014
04Shovel Ready
The Future Hit-Man of *Shovel Ready* ------------------------------------ __What we have to look forward to:__ The near-future Manhattan in *New York Times Magazine* culture editor Adam Sternbergh's debut novel is one where a dirty bomb went off in Times Square and reduced the city to an empty shell where some survive in the streets and the super-rich escape into virtual reality. It's also a place where Spademan went from taking out garbage to taking out people. Then the hit-man gets called on to off the daughter of an evangelist and everything goes sideways. That sounds like some good noir right there. __When it's coming:__ Jan. 14, 2014
05House of Cards
Seeing if Frank Underwood Can Play Them as They Lie on *House of Cards* ----------------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ In the first season of Netflix's political drama – and [President Obama fave](http://swampland.time.com/2013/12/17/obama-wishes-washington-was-really-like-house-of-cards/#ixzz2nker8gty) – *House of Cards* we learned that congressman Francis Underwood was capable of anything – even murder – if it meant political gains. But as Season 1 ended, it looked like he was jogging into a world that could easily collapse around him. But with a guy like Underwood, it seems as though he's broken many eggs and made many omelets – he won't go down so easily. "For those of us climbing to the top of the food chain, there can be no mercy," he intones in the Season 2 trailer. No mercy for him? For someone else? For us? Find out all at once this Valentine's Day, when your second run of *House of Cards* binge-watch can begin. __When it's coming:__ Feb. 14, 2014
06Community
The Return of *Community* ------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ The oddball humor and pop-culture references of Greendale have been off the air since May of 2013, but the show is finally back with new episodes in January. Now that creator Dan Harmon is back in the saddle, it promises to be worth the wait. Prepare your "Six seasons and a movie!" chants, nerds. __When it's coming:__ Jan. 2, 2014
07Interstellar
Christopher Nolan Going to the Stars With *Interstellar* -------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Now that he's done with the Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan is returning to original films, this time with a story about explorers who find a wormhole that allows them to cover the massive distances in interstellar travel. Christopher Nolan is making a movie with space and wormholes. Please let this be *Inception* in the stars. Please let this be *Inception* in the stars… __When it's coming:__ Nov. 7, 2014
Murray Close08The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
Joining the Revolution With *The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1* ------------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ After masterfully taking the reigns of the *Hunger Games* franchise with *Catching Fire* (above) -- one of the best brainy popcorn flicks of 2013 – director Francis Lawrence will be completing the franchise with *Mockingjay*. Suzanne Collins' book is being broken up into two films, which hopefully means the scope of the story will be broadened to show more of what's happening in the revolution against the Capitol than just what Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) can see. (This seems very possible since Lionsgate just announced the casting of Antonius, a character that doesn't exist in the book.) *Catching Fire* exceeded nearly all expectations, so we can only hope that *Mockingjay*, with its political overtones and propaganda wars, will continue that trend in grand, dark fashion. __When it's coming:__ Nov. 21, 2014 *Photo: Murray Close/Lionsgate*
09Sin City A Dame to Kill For
Going Back to the Underworld of *Sin City: A Dame to Kill For* -------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Director Robert Rodriguez's first adaptation of Frank Miller's *Sin City* was a dark, twisted, hyper-stylized ride to the dark side and we've waited way too long for a sequel. In August it will, apparently, finally materialize. And this time it's got Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lady Gaga, and … Jeremy Piven? Sure. You've got our attention, Rob, can't wait to see what you'll do with it this time. __When it's coming:__ Aug. 22, 2014
10Guardians Of the Galaxy
*Guardians of the Galaxy* Existing ---------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ C'mon. It's *Guardians of the Galaxy*. Folks have been waiting patiently for this for a while. Directed by James Gunn, this is the latest movie to emerge from the Marvel juggernaut and has potential to be the darker, more rag-tag hero team. (In footage of the film shown at Comic-Con International this past summer the Guardians – Drax, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot – were not-affectionately called "a bunch of assholes" and Gunn promised it would be "[darkly comedic](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2013/07/marvel-age-of-ultron/).") Aside from the brief teaser shown at Comic-Con, no other footage has emerged so it's hard to say much more about what the movie will look like, but who are we kidding? We'll be first in line. __When it's coming:__ Aug. 1, 2014
11Jupiter Ascending
The Wachowskis Go Back to Their Roots With *Jupiter Ascending* -------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ The first original story from the Wachowski siblings since *The Matrix* movies. In *Jupiter Ascending*, which stars Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis, humans are at the bottom of the universe's evolutionary food-chain, but when one of them – a custodian named Jupiter (Kunis) – threatens the Queen of the Universe she becomes a target, a mark that must be helped by Caine (Tatum). First off, we like this matriarchal universe of which you speak. Second, these visuals (see trailer above) look sick. We want to go to there. __When it's coming:__ July 18, 2014
12Helix
Ronald D. Moore Coming Back to TV Two Shows *Helix* and *Outlander* -------------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ It's been three years since Ronald D. Moore – the man behind the fantastic reboot of *Battlestar Galactica* – has had something on TV (that cameo on *Portlandia* doesn't count). In 2014, he's returning with not one but two shows. *Helix* is a drama about a team of Centers for Disease Control scientists investigating a possible disease outbreak at a super high-tech facility in the Arctic. On the other end of the spectrum, *Outlander* is a series for Starz based on Diana Gabaldon's best-selling romance novels and follows a combat nurse from the 1940s who is mysteriously sent back in time to the 18th century. Both sound like the kind of thing we'd love to see Moore play with. __When it's coming:__ *Helix* – Jan. 10, 2014, *Outlander* – Sometime, 2014
13Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Waking Up in the *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* ------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Mo-cap maven Andy Serkis is back as Caesar – the revolutionary ape from *Rise of the Planet of the Apes*. This time it's ten years after the events of *Rise* and a few of the humans who survived are now threatening Caesar and his fellow super-evolved apes for domination. __When it's coming:__ July 11, 2014
14Edge Of Tomorrow
Tom Cruise Finally Going to the *Edge of Tomorrow* -------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Tom Cruise saving Earth. Or trying to. Again. Cruise does a big boom sci-fi flick at the rate of about one a year these days and that's OK. The latest is *Edge of Tomorrow*, in which he plays an exo-suited soldier who ends up in a timeloop where he relives his final alien battle over and over again until he meets another soldier – played by a badass-looking Emily Blunt – who helps him take on the extra terrestrials. It's *Call of Duty* meets *Groundhog Day* or *Elysium* meets *Source Code* or some combination of those. Whatever. It also looks like fun meets awesome. __When it's coming:__ June 6, 2014
15Game of Thrones
Going Back to Westeros in a New Season of *Game of Thrones* ----------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Everyone who survived the Red Wedding will be back for Season 4 of HBO's wildly successful adaptation of George R. R. Martin's book series. And while the headcount is definitely down, there are still quite a few reasons to tune in. Daenerys Targaryen (your new Sarah Connor, Emilia Clarke!) and her dragons are still on the march. Arya Stark and the Hound are forming a friendship of sorts – or at least a good kill team. Tyrion and Sansa are still together and Tyrion is probably still drunk. Joffrey is still a tool. Yara is on her way to save what's left of Theon/"Reek." Ygritte and "You Know Nothing (Except When It Comes to Sexytimes)" Jon Snow have parted ways. The be-handed Jaime has finally been reunited with Cersei. Bran's going to the Wall. White Walkers are on the move. Season 3 ended with a lot of bangs, which means that in Season 4 things are getting real in Westeros and we can't wait to see just *how* real. __When it's coming:__ Winter. LoL, J/K. It's probably coming in Spring, 2014.
16Maleficent
Angelina Jolie Becoming *Maleficent* ------------------------------------ __What we have to look forward to:__ Angelina Joile as "Sleeping Beauty"'s so-bad-she's-good villain. That is all. __When it's coming:__ May 30, 2014
17Godzilla
*Godzilla* Wreaking Havoc Once Again ------------------------------------ __What we have to look forward to:__ We've been looking forward to this ever since director Gareth Edwards and Legendary Pictures honcho Thomas Tull revealed the film's first mood piece trailer [at Comic-Con International 2012](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2012/07/godzilla-comic-con/). The trailer shown at the 2013 con only got us more stoked. That doesn't mean *Godzilla* won't have an uphill battle. Ever since the 1998 Matthew Broderick vehicle *Godzilla* really underperformed fans of the world's most well-known kaiju have been a little leery of reboots in a go-Toho-or-GTFO kind of way. Based on the first trailer, Edwards seems to have gotten that memo – he also got Bryan Cranston (*Breaking Bad*) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (*Kick-Ass*, *The Avengers: Age of Ultron*). Color us optimistic he got it right. __When it's coming:__ May 16, 2014
18Amazing Spider-Man 2
Even More Baddies Gettin' Caught in Spidey's Web in *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ __What we have to look forward to:__ Lots and lots of big bad guys. In Marc Webb's follow up to *The Amazing Spider-Man*, Spidey (Andrew Garfield) is facing off against more than just one big bad. This time around he's got Harry Osborn/Green Goblin, Rhino, *and* Electro to deal with. There's a chance that could be a recipe for disaster, just a big jambalaya of baddies and no real story. But the first trailer (above) looks like it could be a fast-slinging, high-swinging good time. And it better be – there are still two more *Amazing Spider-Man* movies coming as well as *Venom* and *Sinister Six* [flicks coming](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/underwire/2013/12/spiderman-venom-sinister-six/ ), so this flick needs to be the the one where the franchise hits its stride, not the one where it loses its steam. __When it's coming:__ May 2, 2014
19Veronica Mars
The Return of *Veronica Mars* ----------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Good news, marshmallows – that funded-to-the-tune-of-$5.7-million-on-Kickstarter *Veronica Mars* movie is finally coming your way. After first thinking that the crowdfunded movie would only get a limited release, director Rob Thomas reported earlier this month that Warner Bros. would be [delivering it to more screens](http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/12/04/veronica-mars-movie-release-date/). That means *Veronica Mars*, which sends its titular character (Kristen Bell) back to Neptune to help her former boo Logan after he's accused of killing his girlfriend, might be coming to a theater much more near you. Go ahead and order that Team Logan or Team Piz T-shirt from Zazzle now. __When it's coming:__ March 14, 2014
Peter Mountain20Transcendence
Johnny Depp Searching for the Singularity in *Transcendence* ------------------------------------------------------------ __What we have to look forward to:__ If you don't know the name Wally Pfister (above), you know his work. As Christopher Nolan's long-time cinematographer, he's the one responsible for the look and feel of *Inception* and *The Dark Knight Rises*, and for his directorial debut *Transcendence* he's working with the genre themes that he did so well with Nolan. In *Transcendence*, Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp) is an artificial intelligence researcher trying to make a truly sentient machine with the collective intelligence of the world and the full range of human emotions even as anti-technology advocates strive to stop him. However, in trying to power him down, the activists actually cause him to be uploaded into his own system. "It's a very timely subject," Pfister recently [told *Entertainment Weekly*](http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/12/12/transcendence-first-look-at-johnny-depps-mind-melding-techno-thriller/). Indeed, and a trippy one as well. __When it's coming:__ April 18, 2014 *Photo: Warner Bros.*
21OITNB
The Return of *Orange Is the New Black*'s Incarceration Dramedy --------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ The first season of *Orange Is the New Black* was epically funny and heart-touching. But Netflix's binge-ready full-season release of the series meant it was easy to burn through too quickly. It came out in July and by August we wanted more of the behind-bars adventures of Piper, Alex, Taystee, Pennsatucky, and the gang. Luckily, Netflix has promised a new season sometime this year. There's no official release date yet but the cast has been filming – as evidenced by all the fun they're having on set reenacting *Scandal* and stuff http://www.buzzfeed.com/skarlan/orange-is-the-new-black-cast-members-act-out-a-scene-from-sc – so hopefully we'll know what happened after that (SPOILERS!) epic beat-down that ended Season 1 soon. __When it's coming:__ Sometime, 2014
22The Strain
Guillermo del Toro's TV Show *The Strain* ----------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Gruesome, hot vampire action. Adapted from the book series by Chuck Hogan and Guillermo del Toro, who directed the pilot, *The Strain* makes vampires do a 180 from their romantic last few years (*Twilight* etc.) and brings them back to their gruesome blood-sucking roots. Set in the modern day, the book series – and presumably the TV show – treats vampirism like a virulent outbreak, meaning less love triangles and more white-knuckle suspense. FX has been producing some pretty killer dramas lately (no pun intended) with *Sons of Anarchy* and *American Horror Story* so this series, which is being produced by del Toro, Hogan, and *Lost*'s Carlton Cuse, has promise to be epic. __When it's coming:__ July, 2014
23The Lego Movie
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and a Bunch of Other Awesome People Making a *Lego Movie* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ See above. When directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (*21 Jump Street*) presented *The Lego Movie* at Comic-Con International earlier this year, I was wigging out so hard it became hard to keep blogging. To know why, one need look no further than the roll call of voice talent: Chris Pratt (average dude Emmet), Channing Tatum (Superman), Will Arnett (Batman), Cobie Smulders (Wonder Woman), Nick Offerman, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie. Add in the fact that it's a 3-D animated feature full of Lego characters and it almost doesn't matter what it's about – the funny people and moving minifigs will make it worth dragging your tuckus to the multiplex. But, lucky us, the footage released so far looks funny as hell and the concept of a common schlub – Pratt's Emmet – being called on to be a hero make *The Lego Movie* sound like it could be the best time you'll have at the cinema this winter. __When it's coming:__ Feb. 7, 2014
24RoboCop
*RoboCop* Getting Robo-Reboot for the Drone Age ----------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ A lot has changed since director Paul Verhoeven's *RoboCop* came out in 1987. The most important/interesting for the robotized-fighting crowd is that we now live in an age of drone warfare. Machines can do some of our fighting for us. To address that José Padilha, who is directing the robo-reboot, has made a movie that goes beyond crime in the streets of Detroit. "I’m a fan of the original movie, because it was ahead of its time – both aesthetically and thematically," Padhila said in an introduction to one of the film's trailers earlier this year. "Back in ’87 it was talking already about automated violence – both in war and law enforcement – so now we actually have that happening in our lives, and it’s going to be more and more present." He also has a lot more VFX tools and Samuel L. Jackson, so consider us fully onboard. __When it's coming:__ Feb. 12, 2014
25Pompeii
Jon Snow vs. the Volcano in *Pompeii* ------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ *Pompeii* is a love story set in the midst of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that leveled Pompeii. It also stars the abs of *Game of Thrones*' Jon Snow (aka Kit Harrington). That's all you really need to know. __When it's coming:__ Feb. 21, 2014
26Noah
Darren Aronofsky Getting Apocryphal With *Noah* ----------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Director Darren Aronofsky hasn't tackled the Old Testament since his math-and-the-Torah masterpiece *Pi* in 1998. Well, now he's going back in a big way with *Noah*, an epic actioner about the man with the ark. Even though it's about the Biblical Noah in theory, it doesn't look like it'll be entirely true to the text – it's been reported that in addition to the requisite ark the movie also has six-armed angels (and a few other things that seem out of place, like [quite a few white people](http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/something-in-darren-aronofskys-noah-stills-seems-off)). But hey, it's Aronofsky – ballerinas don't typically grow feathers but *Black Swan* was still dope. Not only that, but the flick has some of the [most complex shots](http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/darren-aronofsky-talks-milestone-ilm-visual-effects-in-biblical-noah/) Industrial Light & Magic has ever done, so it might be worth going just to see what it takes to max out the house that George Lucas built. __When it's coming:__ March 28, 2014
27Monuments Men
George Clooney Leading a Platoon of *Monuments Men* --------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ George Clooney loves a good political drama. Directing and acting in them (*The Ides of March*), producing them (*Argo*) – it doesn't matter. With *Monuments Men* he's jumping back into the political theater with the based-on-real-events story of a group of World War II soldiers etc. tasked with rescuing art looted by the Nazis and returning it to its owners. (The real Monuments Men numbered 345 and ended up [returning some five million items](http://www.monumentsmenfoundation.org/the-heroes/the-monuments-men) by the time their work was done.) Using Robert Edsel's 2009 book *The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History* as his source material, Clooney wrote the script himself with his *Ides of March* co-writer Grant Heslov and considering the pedigree of its backers and stars (Matt Damon, John Goodman, Cate Blanchett) *Monuments Men* is shaping up to have the drama *Argo* and the style and humor of *Ocean's Eleven*. __When it's coming:__ Feb. 7, 2014
28Divergent
Young Adult Heroines Continue Their Domination in *Divergent* ------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ Everyone like to talk about *Divergent* like it's the new *Hunger Games*. While that's meant as a compliment, it's always sort of bugged me because somehow it implies that anything where there's a young female hero struggling against an oppressive regime is the same and there can only be room for so many. As if Spider-Man were the next Batman because they're both average guys who wear costumes and fight crime. Anyway, Tris (played by Shailene Woodley) is the latest young adult heroine here to rock the scene. She lives in a future where young people are divided up into factions based on their traits. Tris is special (a divergent, of course) and doesn't fit into the system, so she joins Dauntless in attempt to hide her status from those looking to eliminate divergents from society. It might sound like a future dystopia version of the high school lunchroom, but it also looks like one we could get behind. __When it's coming:__ March 21, 2014
29Captain America The Winter Soldier
Captain America S.H.I.E.L.D.-ing Up in *The Winter Soldier* ----------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ If there's one thing that made me chuckle and say "Oh, hey, I miss that guy!" during *Thor: The Dark World* it was the pseudo-cameo by Steve Rogers. Cap (Chris Evans) is back for his second installment in *Captain America: The Winter Soldier* and this time he's fully in the present day and working with S.H.I.E.L.D. on, you know, S.H.I.E.L.D. stuff. This means a lot of things, but mostly it means he gets to work with Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and butt heads with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) about exactly what's, like, right and wrong and patriotic. He also gets to share the screen with the titular Winter Soldier, who has already gotten a co-sign from his original creator Ed Brubaker, who said he was "blown away" by the script. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/brubaker-blown-away-by-captain-634752 This should hold us over until *Avengers: Age of Ultron*. __When it's coming:__ April 4, 2014
30Bad Words
Jason Bateman Gets Potty Mouthed in *Bad Words* ----------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ *Bad Words* is the feature directorial debut of Jason Bateman. It also stars Jason Bateman doing a very Jason Bateman dry humor thing a la *Arrested Development* but with a tad more jerk than his Michael Bluth. And by "jerk" I mean "40-year-old tool who finds a loophole to enter spelling bees for kids." Naturally it's hilarious. Completely un-PC (see the red band trailer above), but hilarious. It also has Rohan Chand (that cute kid Brody tutored on *Homeland*), who is gearing up to be everyone's new favorite child star, if there is such a thing. Spelling, kids, foul mouths, Jason Bateman – it's a recipe for awesome. __When it's coming:__ March 28, 2014
31Armada - Ernie Cline
*Armada*: Another Probably Severely Nerdy Book From Ernie Cline ---------------------------------------------------------------- __What we have to look forward to:__ A few years ago, Ernie Cline wrote the ultimate *Star Wars*-fan movie *Fanboys*. He followed that up with one of the nerd-referenced-packed book *Ready Player One* in 2011. The book was a thrill to read and was optioned by Warner Bros. for a film version before it even went on sale. In 2014, he'll be back with another book *Armada*. Details on the book are scarce, but the internet is currently describing it as the tale of gamers recruited because their videogame skills could help save Earth in an alien war. The rights for that book have already been snatched up by Universal. Consider this one a must-read, simply to be ready to nit-pick the film version whenever it hits the multiplex. __When it's coming:__ October, 2014 *Photo: Ariel Zambelich/WIRED*
