The summer is a prime time for star-studded cast. “The Avengers” got the summer season off to a burning hot start and featured quite an impressive cast of stars. However that film will not be the only big name cast to hit theaters. Some films that are coming out over the next few months have just as many if not more stars.
“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” – May 18
Every summer needs at least one star-studded ensemble comedy and this is the one for 2012. As the title would imply this is a comedy all about parenthood and what it does to people and their relationships with each other. The cast is frankly massive but the biggest names are Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Chris Rock and Dennis Quaid. There’s plenty of other familiar faces, both male and female. The studio clearly hopes this apparent “chick flick” will appeal to both genders.
“Moonrise Kingdom” – May 25
This latest film from quirky director Wes Anderson may only be receiving a limited release but it has a cast that is pretty much impossible to ignore. There are some regulars of Anderson’s films such as the always great Bill Murray. He’s joined by an impressive list of actors who haven’t worked with Anderson before such as Ed Norton, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis and Oscar winner Frances McDormand. Interesting for all these huge names none of them are actually the leads of the film. That honor goes to two unknown teenagers who fall in love and decide to run away together, spurring the town’s oddball residents into action.
“Rock of Ages” – June 15
Musicals have become a pretty big deal again and this rock and roll musical features some pretty substantial names. The biggest of all is Tom Cruise playing a fiction 1980s rock god who comes across as something as a cross between Bon Jovi and the hair bands of the time. There’s also Alec Baldwin as the owner of a rock club where Cruise’s character performers. Russell Brand works at that same club and also narrates the story. Then for the villain of the film there’s Catherine Zeta Jones as the viciously conservative wife of the mayor who wants to shut down all the rock and all the partying.
“The Dark Knight Rises” – July 20
This concluding chapter of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy will of course feature many returning stars from the previous entries. These include Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman who is being supported by the likes of Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine amongst others. Those names alone would be enough to warrant a mention on this list but there are also some notable newcomers to the series as well. Anne Hathaway joins the film as Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. There’s also Oscar winner Marion Cotilliard as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt both of whom are playing original characters.
“The Expendables 2” – August 17
After getting action fans pumped for old school thrills two years ago it’s no surprise that all the stars are back for this second installment. As before Sylvester Stallone leads an elite team of mercenaries. Action buffs will know virtually every member of the cast from something or other. For more mainstream audiences the bigger names in addition to Stallone are Jet Li, Jason Statham, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. The latter two are featured in expanded roles as opposed to the cameos they had the first time. Joining the returning cast are Chuck Norris and Jean-Claude Van Damme making this truly an action lover’s dream of a film.
