What to expect on the big screen in 2012
(CBS) The year 2012 is already off to an action-packed start at the movies, with "Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol" leading the charge. The box-office bonanza has made a killing for a second straight week, taking in some $38 million in the U.S. and Canada.
That's just the beginning. Look for a slew of heavy hitters releasing this year that are guaranteed to make 2012 a whole lot greener than the lackluster 2011.
In January, Kate Beckinsale returns to the big screen in "Underworld: Awakening," her third time as vampire warrior Selene. This time, she escapes prison to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of Vampire and Lycan clans and are in an all-out war to destroy both. With a legion of Underworld fans clamoring for more, look for this cult favorite to do well.
In March, Oscar winner Julia Roberts stars in "Mirror, Mirror." Roberts plays the evil queen with personality in this dark twist on a classic fairy tale. Armie Hammer stars as the handsome prince; Lily Collins is Snow White and Nathan Lane does a phenomenal job as the Queen's long-suffering servant.
In April, another classic gets a facelift. "Dorothy of Oz" is an animated 3-D film, with Lea Michele in the title role, Dan Akroyd as Scarecrow, James Belushi as the Cowardly Lion and Kelsey Grammar as the Tin Man. Summoned by Glinda the Good Witch, Dorothy and Toto return to Oz to try to stop the Jester from using the powers of the Wicked Witch of the West to turn everyone in Oz into puppets.
Also in April is "The Five Year Engagement." Emily Blunt is a firecracker in this romantic escapade that also stars Jason Segal and tracks the ups and downs of a man and his fiancee during a short engagement.
May promises blockbuster action, with big names and even bigger-budget films exploding across screens nationwide. Will Smith returns in the third installment of the hugely successful Men in Black Franchise. In "Men in Black 3", he teams up again with Tommy Lee Jones to prevent a world war instigated by aliens.
Also in May, look for "The Avengers." Shot in 3-D the, film brings together all of Marvel Comics best characters for the first time ever. That's also the month for Robert Downey, Jr as "Iron Man;" Scarlett Johansson as "Black Widow;" Jeremy Renner as "Hawkeye" and Chris Hemsworth as "Thor."
The most anticipated film of the summer is Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises." Christian Bale as Batman reunites with Michael Caine's Alfred eight years after the events of the "Dark Knight" movie. Batman faces his nemesis "Bane" played by Tom Hardy, and Anne Hathaway makes an appearance as Catwoman.
In August "The Expendables 2" will bring Sylvester Stallone back to the silver screen, alongside Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mickey Rourke. If the film does well, rumor is another sequel will follow.
Staying in action mode, Daniel Craig returns in November as James Bond in "Skyfall." Bond takes on his most deadly assignment yet to protect the honor of M. Dame Judi Dench returns in that role, and Javier Bardem lends intensity to the action.
As the year draws to a close, master director Peter Jackson will reveal his prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, taking us on a grand 3-D adventure in the much anticipated "The Hobbit."
With a great mix of adventure, fantasy, thrillers and animated features, as well as the climax to the "Twilight" franchise, 2012 promises something for every taste.