From the highly anticipated TV adaptation of The Boys (from Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson) to the James Gunn produced superhero horror thriller Brightburn – here are my Top 10 Upcoming Shows and Films of 2019:
Top 5 Upcoming NEW TV Shows of 2019
#5. Watchmen
Release Date: Unknown – 2019
Network: HBO
Synopsis: Watchmen is an upcoming American drama television series, based on the comic book limited series of the same name created by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, that is set to premiere in 2019 on HBO. The series was created by Damon Lindelof, who is also set to write and executive produce.
My Thoughts: I loved Zack Snyder’s film adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ legendary Watchmen comic series. There was NO need for another adaptation, even on HBO, but then more and more news started to trickle out about Damon Lindelof’s show and I’ve become extremely curious in which direction it’s headed. Is it a sequel? A re-imagining? A prequel? Both? What the hell is it? I don’t know for sure, but I do know that I’ll be tuning in to see what they’re doing because at this point – something that isn’t just a straight adaptation of the source material, is far more intriguing in 2019 than just another rehashing of a classic.
#4. Swamp Thing
Release Date: Summer 2019
Network: DC Universe
Synopsis: Abby Arcane returns home to Houma, Louisiana to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, where she develops a bond with scientist Alec Holland. After Holland tragically dies, Arcane discovers the mysteries of the swamp and that Holland may not be dead after all.
My Thoughts: I’ve always loved Swamp Thing. I watched the movies as a kid, I read the comics, I bought those cool toys, I loved it all! People will always admire Alan Moore’s run on the comic, but I found myself really captivated by Scott Snyder’s new 52 DC reboot of the character and his battle against The Rot. From the sounds of it, they’re going with an actual SUIT, as opposed to just CGI to show Swamp Thing in his green form so I’m really excited about that, especially since Derek Mears will be gearing up as the titular hero. If you don’t have DC Universe (and I don’t, being in Canada) – don’t worry as Netflix will probably be debuting this series much like they are with Titans.
#3. Too Old to Die Young
Release Date: Unknown 2019
Network: Amazon Prime
Synopsis: Too Old to Die Young explores the criminal underbelly of Los Angeles by following characters’ existential journeys from being killers to becoming samurais in the City of Angels.
My Thoughts: Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Pusher) and comic book royalty Ed Brubaker (Westworld, Kill or Be Killed) teaming up for an Amazon series starring Miles Teller (Whiplash) who is immersed in a seedy strange underworld overloaded with assassins? Fuck yes I’ll be there. Refn is one of my favorite filmmakers and I’m excited to see what he can do with a series that looks so damn vicious and gritty. Expect a very weird and very dark show that will hopefully quench that bloodlust I’ve been craving on my smallscreen ever since Banshee ended.
#2. The Umbrella Academy
Release Date: February 15, 2019
Network: Netflix
Synopsis: A dysfunctional family of superheroes comes together to solve the mystery of their father’s death, the threat of the apocalypse and more.
My Thoughts: Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba’s Darkhorse comic series ‘The Umbrella Academy‘ is in my humble opinion, the best comic mini-series since Watchmen. It is an absolute masterpiece that turns the ‘hero’ genre upside down with an insane and eclectic cast of characters that you likely haven’t seen before in any medium. The trailer nails the tone of the source material and if you haven’t read the two volumes – what the hell are you waiting for?
#1. The Boys
Release Date: Unknown – 2019
Network: Amazon Prime
Synopsis: An action story centered on a CIA squad tasked with keeping superheroes in line, by any means necessary. Based on the comic book The Boys by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, the show was developed by Eric Kripke, Evan Goldberg, and Seth Rogen.
My Thoughts: Preacher will probably remain my favorite comic series of all time. However… When Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson teamed up for The Boys – they gave the biggest middle finger in the history of comics and stuck it right into the face of every other superhero comic and trope ever printed. The Boys is vicious, gratuitous, hilarious, startling and probably the most extreme and over-the-top stuff that I’ve ever read in comics. If the show is half as bold as the source material, Amazon Prime will have delivered its best series to date and one I absolutely can’t wait to see. More than anything I’m dreading AND anticipating my wife’s reaction to some of the insane reveals that will no doubt have hordes of viewers losing their absolute shit over online…
Top 5 Upcoming Films of 2019
#5. John Wick Chapter 3
Release Date: May 16, 2019
Synopsis: Legendary hit man John Wick must fight his way out of New York when a $14 million contract on his life makes him the target of the world’s top assassins.
My Thoughts: It sounds like the third film in the John Wick franchise is going to rack up the highest body count yet. In light of the shocking events in chapter 2, Wick is on the run from what seems like a million fellow assassins, so I’m expecting a lot of mayhem from Keanu Reeves and company. The John Wick franchise is so damn good and refreshing that it has seemingly spawned a brand new genre of gritty face-shooting action cinema and although the films influenced by this series have been fun, none can hold a candle… to the Wick…. Any guesses on how many people get shot in the face this time? 20? 40? 60? I’m going to be bold and guess around 50. Anything less may be a disappointment, but I have faith.
#4. The Irishman
Release Date: Late 2019
Synopsis: Frank Sheeran maintains ties with the Bufalino crime family and claims to have killed fellow Teamster Jimmy Hoffa.
My Thoughts: Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale and Stephen Graham? If you aren’t excited for Scorsese’s return to the cinematic world of mafia crime-bosses then you’re a strange sad little person. The Irishman is a Netflix movie too which blows my mind. It’s getting a theatrical release as well, but let’s face it – you’re all gonna watch this masterful shit the second it goes live in the comfort of your own home and bear witness to the return of Joe Pesci, who came out of retirement for this epic.
#3. IT: Chapter 2
Release Date: September 6, 2019
Synopsis: The evil clown Pennywise returns 27 years later to torment the grown-up members of the Losers’ Club.
My Thoughts: The best parts of Stephen King’s horror masterpiece IT, were the flashbacks of those goddamn adorable kids – aka – the first film. So although I have my reservations about the sequel, I don’t think they could have cast anyone better to play the grown-ups. Bill Hader? That’s all you had to say to wash my cannibal clown worries away. I hope they embrace the weirdness of the source material and make a conscious effort to NOT try and replicate the same beats of the first movie though, because it’s going to be damn near impossible to pull off more of the same and please fans of that groundbreaking first chapter.
#2. Brightburn
Release Date: May 24, 2019
Synopsis: A couple’s prayers are seemingly answered when an object crash-lands on Earth, carrying a life-form that looks like a baby boy. As the years pass and the alien grows older, it starts to use its mysterious powers in sinister and destructive ways.
My Thoughts: Superman’s origin story — if Superman wound up a serial killer? OK now you have my attention. The trailer for this James Gunn- produced horror thriller that turns the famous comic book origin story upside down is one of the coolest and most bold “what if” film concepts I’ve ever heard of. Director David Yarovesky is relatively new to the game but under the guidance of Gunn, I have faith this flick could start a glorious new trend in cinema. I’ll never look at Clark Kent the same way again and I’ve only seen this horrifying trailer (too many times to count), so I can only imagine what’s in store for me when Brightburn hits theaters this May.
#1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Release Date: July 26, 2019
Synopsis: In 1969 Los Angeles, a former Western star and his longtime stunt double struggle to find success in a Hollywood that they don’t recognize anymore.
My Thoughts: Quentin Tarantino. Whenever the man makes a film, the world should stop and pay attention. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood has been confirmed to be the most structurally similar work in Tarantino’s career since Pulp Fiction. The leading duo of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt alone is going to sell a shitload of tickets, but the summer release date is puzzling, because this damn thing should drop in Fall 2019 so Tarantino can finally take home that Best Picture Oscar he so rightfully deserves every time he makes a movie.