5. The Trial of the Chicago 7

Based on true events, the film tells of the Chicago Seven, a group of anti-war protestors who were charged by the federal government with attempting to incite a riot at the Democratic National Convention. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1968, crossing state lines to incite a riot was considered illegal, causing significant media attention around the group.

The film will be directed by Aaron Sorkin, who made his directorial debut with 2017's 'Molly's Game' starring Jessica Chastain. However, you're probably much more familiar with Sorkin as a screenwriter for projects like David Fincher's 'The Social Network,' and Danny Boyle's 'Steve Jobs,' as well as his work on NBC's 'The West Wing' and HBO's 'The Newsroom.'

The film also has a stacked cast including Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as members of the group, as well as Mark Rylance, Michael Keaton, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, William Hurt, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Frank Langella.

I wasn't necessarily the biggest fan of 'Molly's Game' per say, but I've always had a lot of faith that Aaron Sorkin can become a top-tier director with his writing credentials alone. The story sounds remarkably fascinating and can hopefully have some insight into civilian v. government civil rights. Throw in some classic Sorkin dialogue quips and an insane cast that you know can pull it off, and I have to be excited for this.

'The Trial of the Chicago 7' is set for release on September 25th

The King's Man

Set during World War I, and decades before the events of 'Kingsman: The Secret Service,' the Kingsmen are formed as an organization in an effort to stop the world's worst tyrants from destroying the world.

This is set to be the third 'Kingsman' feature film after the 2015 original and 2017's 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle,' and continues to have Matthew Vaughan in the director's chair, as well as script duties alongside Karl Gajdusek ('Stranger Things'). The cast includes Harris Dickinson as our seemingly new protagonist, Conrad, alongside Ralph Fiennes, Tom Hollander, Gemma Arterton, Djimon Hounsou, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Charles Dance and Rhys Ifans.

I unabashedly loved the first 'Kingsman' film from 2015 for it's fresh, no-holds-bar approach to spy parody, insane action sensibilities, and likeable characters. Then we got the sequel, which felt like it took all of the sincerity out of the picture in favor of "go big or go home" theatrics, and was a hot mess in the process.

Granted, I have not lost faith in Matthew Vaughan as a director (his filmography speaks for itself in my eyes), and approaching the origins of the Kingsmen with a different aesthetic and tone could be just what this franchise needs to come back to prominence.
*But Matthew Vaughan, if somehow you're reading this, please make something else after this; staying on one franchise for too long is just going to burn you out and my heart will break if that happens, PRETTY PLEASE.

'The Kings Man' is set for release on September 18th

Soul

Pixar's newest effort will follow Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a middle school music teacher who loves jazz and seems to finally have an opportunity to play onstage after impressing some local musicians. However, an accident causes his soul to leave his body, transported to the "You Seminar" where souls develop passions before being appointed a body. Journeying back to his body, he encounters another soul, 22 (voiced by Tina Fey), who has a much more cynical look on life.

Pete Docter ('Inside Out,' 'Up,' 'Monsters Inc.') will direct the project, as well as write the script alongside Fey and Kemp Powers ('Star Trek: Discovery'), with a voice cast that also includes Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, and Questlove.

The words "Pete Docter is directing a Pixar film" is pretty much like ringing a dog's dinner bell for me. Seriously, Docter is one of my favorite directors working today, with such an insanely terrific grasp on Pixar's greatest strengths: human emotional, sly humor, and clever story structures and twists. The trailer looks like Pixar going more existential which, after 'Inside Out,' they absolutely have credibility to try, and the voice cast intrigues me. We might know more about Pixar's other 2020 offering, Dan Scanlon's 'Onward' at this point, but this is the one I'm salivating overseeing in the new year.

'Soul' is set for release on June 19th

Tenet

As in typical Christopher Nolan fashion, we don't know all of the details for 'Tenet's story right now. We do know that it will follow a secret agent (played by John David Washington) who is tasked with stopping a potential World War III using some sort of time travel mechanics.

Christopher Nolan directs and writes the project with a cast including Washington and Robert Pattison, alongside Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh, Elizabeth Debicki, Himesh Patel, Dimple Kapadia, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

Significantly, he will also be reuniting with 'Interstellar' cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, as well as swapping out his usual collaborators, composer Hans Zimmer and editor Lee Smith, for Ludwig Gorannsson ('Black Panther,' 'Creed') and Jennifer Lame ('Hereditary,' 'Marriage Story') respectively.

I'm not an "everything Christopher Nolan touches is diamond-encrusted gold" type of fan, but it's mostly because I want at least a hint of what his insane creativity will bring us before I get excited. Well, one amazing trailer later and I'm definitely hooked now!

I love the angle he seems to be approaching time in this context, the cast seems incredible, and, as he does, leaves so much for us to speculate on ('Inception' connections anyone?). Regardless, I can't wait to see what kind of insane spectacle this might deliver; as the internet might say, #InNolanWeTrust.

'Tenet' is set for release on July 17th

Wonder Woman 1984

Following the events of 'Wonder Woman,' we pick up with the hero known as Diana Prince (played by Gal Gadot) in 1984, seemingly coming into conflict with archaeologist Barbara Minerca (played by Kristen Wiig) and media mogul Maxwell Lord (played by Pedro Pascal). However, things seem to take on a new meaning when her past love interest, Steve Trevor (played by Chris Pine) seemingly returns from the dead.

Patty Jenkins returns as director from the first 'Wonder Woman' film, writing the script alongside DC Comics writer Geoff Johns and 'Zombieland 2: Double Tap's David Callaham. In addition, Connie Nielsen and Robin Wright are set to reprise their roles as Hippolyta and Antiope respectively, and while Hans Zimmer may not be working with Christopher Nolan this year, he IS composing the music for this film (Zimmer and Junkie XL co-wrote the now iconic 'Wonder Woman' theme, though Ruper Gregson-Williams composed the score for the 2017 film).

I thought the first trailer for this movie was tremendous; seemingly unique sense of lived-in 80's aesthetic, excellent a creepy looking Maxwell Lord as a villain, Kristen Wiig actually looking like she gets to flex her acting chops, and Steve Trevor's return seemingly framed as being the biggest mystery in film since Rey's parents (yes I went there, tee-hee).

Patty Jenkins took a character that could have been so hammy in so many ways and gave us a sincere, respectful and tough-as-nails hero that I can't wait to see in action again. Along with Cathy Yan's 'Birds of Prey,' the DCEU might have some darn good stuff this year, and I'll keep hoping for now.

'Wonder Woman 1984' is set for release on June 5th