It’s understandable why Hollywood comes up with a lot of superhero movies every year, they can showcase really awesome special effects, they can attract more niche audiences to enjoy these movies, and they can start a franchise by bringing these comic book heroes to the mainstream moviegoing crowd. They also bring in lots of cash, so it’s not surprising that there’ll be a lot of superhero flicks coming our way this year as well.

1. Iron Man

Film Synopsis: "Iron Man is an upcoming 2008 superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics character of the same name. The film is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist who is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. Ordered to build a missile, Stark uses his resources instead to build a suit of power armor and make his escape. Returning to America, Stark improves his armor and becomes the technologically advanced superhero Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow plays his secretary and love interest Virginia Potts, Terrence Howard plays jet pilot James Rhodes, and Jeff Bridges plays the villainous Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger."

Of all superhero movies coming out this year, this is the one I’m anticipating the most. I just love the mythos behind Iron Man, and even if he’s been a douche in the comics recently I still have a soft spot for Tony Stark. It’s also amazing how they got Avi Granov, an artist who worked on the Iron Man comics (and is responsible for the modern Iron Man armor design), to do the designs for the movie, which brings a sort of consistency to it. They also did a great job with the casting, I think Robert Downey Jr.’s just perfect as Tony Stark. I can’t wait for this to come out!

2. The Dark Knight

Film Synopsis: "The Dark Knight is an upcoming 2008 American superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Batman and is part of the Batman film series. The film is a sequel to 2005’s Batman Begins, which rebooted the BatmanHarvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). film series after an eight-year hiatus. Christopher Nolan returns as the director, and Christian Bale reprises the lead role. Batman’s primary conflicts in the film come from his fight against the Joker (Heath Ledger) and his strained friendship with district attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart)."

As a sequel to the phenomenal Batman Begins, I can’t wait for this movie as well. I liked really liked the themes and characters established in the first film (which was a reboot of the franchise), and from the trailers it seems like they’ll still be keeping it intact. Heath Ledger’s Joker looks really promising, and it’s a shame that we won’t be able to see it in a future film. This movie will be on every superhero fan’s watchlist this summer, I hope it won’t disappoint.

3. The Incredible Hulk

Film Synopsis: "The Incredible Hulk is a superhero film based on the Marvel comic of the same name, set for release on June 13, 2008. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, William Hurt as her father General Thaddeus Ross and Tim Roth as the villainous Emil Blonsky, known in the comics as the Abomination. The film follows Banner as he flees the pursuit of General Ross and attempts a cure to rid himself of the Hulk. But when Blonsky injects himself with Banner’s gamma formula and becomes an even greater monster, Banner must accept his own inner beast and defeat Blonsky."

I gotta admit, I didn’t enjoy the first Hulk film that much. What the first film lacked was the same thing that was missing in the Superman movies; an epic showdown between superpowered beings. Marvel’s decision to reboot the franchise is still a bit confusing to me though, even if the first film didn’t do that well I don’t think they would’ve needed to re-do everything. Well anyway, I think it’s shaping up to be better than the first one already, and with the Abomination making an appearance in the movie, the Hulk will surely have serious competition. I’ve also pictured Edward Norton taking on the role of Bruce Banner for the longest time. I’m kinda disappointed that Sam Elliott won’t be coming back for the role of Gen. Thunderbolt Ross though, I think he did a really good job on the first film. I’m not that excited about this one, but I’ll check it out all the same.

—

With movies like Spiderman, Superman Returns and Batman Begins topping favorite movie lists in sites such as ibeatyou, I believe Hollywood will still crank out superhero movies for the next few years. After all, there’s still a ton of material left. It’s just a matter of getting the right cast, approach and director to work on the movies, and this year’s choices do seem to have them all, and when it comes to it, it all depends on the moviegoers.