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Magneto

Release Date: Possibly 2011

Development Status: Magneto has long been expected to be the second X-Men character to receive a spinoff movie after Wolverine. Reports have consistently indicated that the film would be set long before the other X-Men films and focus on a younger Magneto and his troubled friendship with Charles Xavier. It's expected that at least some of the movie will be set during Magneto's time as a concentration camp prisoner, a period that was briefly shown in the first X-Men movie.

Other than benign reports of confirmation that the project is still underway at 20th Century Fox, not much has been revealed about a Magneto movie lately. The most promising sign this year came from screenwriter David Goyer, who believes Magneto will begin filming at some point within the next year.

No casting choices have been announced. Some have theorized that the same CG techniques used to portray a younger Magneto and Xavier in X-Men: The Last Stand will be reused, meaning Ian McKellan could conceivably reprise his role for a fourth time. However, it seems more likely that a younger actor will be brought in to keep effects costs to a minimum.

Magneto will likely happen sooner or later, but as to whether it becomes the next X-Men film out of the gate...doubtful.


Runaways

Release Date: Unknown

Development Status: Marvel's troubled teen heroes are expected to be the next big franchise to hit the screen after the Avengers movie in 2012. In 2008, Marvel Studios revealed their intentions to adapt the series to film. Creator Brian K. Vaughan has already been brought in to produce a script, though at this point it's unclear whether his script will be green-lit for production.

Little news has trickled out since then, though there's no reason to believe the project isn't still moving forward. Just don't expect a release until after the Avengers movie hits in 2012, after which Marvel Studios will finally have room to focus on other, newer properties.


Silver Surfer

Release Date: Unknown

Development Status: A Silver Surfer movie has been rumored for years, even predating the recent Fantastic Four films. With Surfer now established in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, 20th Century Fox have indicated they would like to go forward with a spinoff a la X-Men Origins: Wolverine. For a while, it appeared that the Surfer movie would take precedence over a third FF film. J. Michael Straczynski was brought in to write a script, and Doug Jones' contract allowed for two more appearances as Silver Surfer.

However, it was more recently announced that 20th Century Fox hope to reboot the FF franchise. Will the company still be interested in a Silver Surfer spinoff at the same time? It's hard to tell, but the fact that there hasn't been any recent news about a Silver Surfer movie suggests fans shouldn't get their hopes up just yet.


Spider-Man 4-6

Release Dates: May 6, 2011 (Spider-Man 4)

Development Status: After a brief, chaotic period where fans were uncertain whether the cast and crew of the Spider-Man films would return for a fourth outing, things seem to have gotten back on track. Spider-Man 4 is now set for release in May 2011. Sam Raimi will once again direct, and Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will return to play Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson.

There is no early word on the villains in the fourth film, though the previous three movies certainly set the stage for an appearance by the Lizard. Michael Papajohn, who played the criminal who apparently-but-not-really shot Uncle Ben in the first film, has revealed that he'll be reprising his role, most likely in the form of a flashback sequence. Bruce Campbell, who cameoed in all three Spidey films, has also hinted that he may be taking on a larger role this time.

Early rumors suggest Sony would film Spider-Man 4 and 5 back to back, but Raimi has denied this possibility. However, work has already begun on the fifth and sixth movies. It appears that the two will be closely connected and may indeed be filmed concurrently. Unfortunately, Spider-Man 4 is starting to sound to be the last outing for Raimi, Maguire, and Dunst, leaving many to wonder if the fifth and sixth films will actually be reboots.


Thor

Release Date: May 20, 2011

Development Status: The God of Thunder has pulled in Kenneth "Shakespeare" Brannagh to direct and Oscar-nominee Natalie Portman to play Jane Foster. A promising line-up of talent for your first movie.

Marvel is keeping Thor close to the vest, as the project is a tougher sell to mainstream audiences than Spidey or Shellhead. Middle Earth and Hogwarts are box office gold, sure, but Norse Gods who hide in mortal shells and live in Asgard is unproven. Packaging the film with A-list talent, and casting Captain Kirk's dad from the new Star Trek movie as the titular hero, are steps in the right direction. Jessica Biel is currently orbiting the project as well, which doesn't hurt Thor's box office chances either. The story will pit Thor opposite Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and promises to be a movie worthy of the character's epic origins. The risk on this project not hitting with summer-friendly audiences is higher than Marvel may like, but that will change whenever Marvel decides to roll out our first look of the Thor costume and a teaser.


X-Men: First Class

Release Date: 2011

Development Status: 20th Century Fox clearly still has big plans for the X-Men franchise, though none of them seem to include X-Men 4 at the moment. Instead, the focus will continue to fall on the earlier years of the mutant heroes. The next ensemble X-Men film will be titled X-Men: First Class. Like the comic of the same name, this movie will flash back to the earliest incarnation of the team as they struggle to cope with their powers. Assuming First Class is still set within the established film continuity and not a reboot, the character lineup will include Professor Xavier, Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, and Storm. That's right, Fox are actually planning an X-Men movie without Wolverine.

Initial development on this project appeared to be slow, with Fox waiting to gauge the success of their Magneto movie before moving ahead with further spinoffs. However, actor Tim Pocock, who portrayed a young Cyclops in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, reported on his Twitter feed that he'll be reprising the role when First Class begins production in 2010. Now it seems Magneto may be the one sitting on the bench.


X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2

Release Date: 2011

Development Status: Fast-tracked. A lot of people saw Wolverine, but not many of them talked about how good it was. Too many mutant cameos distracted from focusing on the titular character, which is something the filmmakers plan to remedy. Oscar-winner Christopher McQuarrie, who scripted The Usual Suspects and did work on the first X-Men movie, will help tell of Logan's journey to Japan, where he fell in love and learned the ways of the samurai.

McQuarrie's involvement leads to speculation that his frequent collaborator Bryan Singer will return to the X-Men franchise, as it seems like Origins' director Gavin Hood is out. No news yet on who the villain will be, but word 'round the campfire suggests that the demon swordsmith Muramasa will appear, and that Omega Red or Silver Fox are potential candidates. The Japan storyline could work out to be as good as X2, if not better. As long as it doesn't have memory-wiping bullets or a boxing match with Blob, it's already better than the first Wolverine movie.