There’s a fair few things that are known for 2024, with the Star Wars content already looking packed. In fact, all my core franchises seem like they’ll be packed with content. Well, all but one. Power Rangers seems likely to be on a hiatus for a few years, so no new content there. Beyond my cores, there are a few other films I have my eye on. I’m sure there will be a lot more announced in the coming months, too.
Another four series of Star Wars content to look forward to! Three of which are mostly unknowns! To start with the live action series, Skeleton Crew takes place within the New Republic era, slotting into the current web of Mandoverse shows. The premise seems rather small-scale, with a group of kids having adventures across the galaxy, The Goonies style. I’m interested in seeing what this is all about, as it does sound a fun time.
The Acolyte heads to a time before the prequel trilogy. In the waning days of the High Republic era, two Jedi are investigating a series of crimes which leads them a great sinister threat. That’s all we really know of this one, but seeing the High Republic era represented in live action will be a joy. So far, it has been contained to books and comics, meaning this will be the first major exploration of the era on screen.
Then there’s the two animated series. Tales of the Jedi is getting a second season, but which characters will it explore? The first season focused on Ahsoka Tano and Count Dooku at three pivotal moments during their lives that formed them to be who we later see them as. The same seems unlikely to be repeated with other characters, so what if each episode represented a member of the Jedi Council? Whatever happens, it will be a lovely second season to watch.
The Bad Batch has been a brilliant series, exploring the quickly changing times after the events of Order 66. The finale of the second season brought about some very tough changes for the Batch, which the third will be dealing with. Chief among them being missing members. Omega captured, Tech KIA, and a clone rebellion growing that’s fighting against the Empire that wronged them. This will be good, and I really hope we don’t have to wait too long for it.
For Sonic the Hedgehog, the Knuckles series that is part of the Paramount film universe had been delayed into this year. Set between the events of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3, the series will give insight into the ways of the Echidna warrior. By teaching deputy sheriff Wade about them. Sounds like a riot waiting to happen, but an absolute fun one.
As for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, there’s a very real possibility of some elements of Sonic Adventure 2’s story being used here. We’ve got Shadow the Hedgehog in a pod of some kind, noted as being on the Government systems as Project Shadow at the end of the second film. That mention could easily lead into exploration of the Robotnik family history as it happened in this universe. This is coming at the end of the year, so quite a long wait.
It’s not just the Paramount Sonic universe getting content, as the final third of Netflix’s Sonic Prime is set to arrive this year. The second season had Shadow play a large role in the events of this multiverse-hopping story, with the end of the season featuring a betrayal just as things seemed like they were about to be fixed. Both previous seasons have been fun seeing alternate versions of Sonic’s friends and their reactions to events, so this third and final season should be a great end to all that.
The Pokémon series has changed quite a lot with the start of Horizons in Japan. An all-new cast of characters exploring the world of Pokémon in new ways. This year marks the start of the dub for English audiences, in which I might check out an episode or two when it arrives on Netflix. Whether any films will feature this new duo this year is unknown, but I’ll likely give them a watch if they do.
Starting off with those outside my cores with DreamWorks animated projects. Kung Fu Panda 4 is coming! I’ve loved the first two, and having recently watched the third, I loved it just as much as the previous two. This fourth one seems to be continuing the central theme of “there is no secret ingredient.” Characters finding out who they truly are. Po’s new journey should see him become more than the Dragon Warrior, and it’s proving to be a lovely one.
That’s not the only film DreamWorks have in store, with Orion and the Dark premiering on Netflix at the start of February. This film adapts a children’s book of the same name, dealing with something everyone faces: fear. The dark becomes a creature that wants to help Orion with his fears, teaching that the unknown is only as scary as you allow it to be. It looks to be a fun one, so I’ll definitely be giving it a watch.
From Disney, a new The Lion King film focused on Mufasa and Scar’s relationship will arrive at the end of the year. This is based in the remake’s universe, so it will use the same photo-realistic CGI as that film did. It could prove interesting, as the relationship between those two, for as brief as it is seen, was always an interesting one. While I doubt I will get around to seeing it this year, I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on it.
Inside Out, the film about emotions being real beings controlling our actions, is getting a sequel. All that’s known about it so far is that there’s plenty more emotions coming to play inside Riley’s head. If the first was able to tell a moving story, I have a feeling the second will be just as emotional. Though I have to imagine most of the new emotions won’t be playing a large role in that story.
A new Wallace and Gromit film has been in the works since 2022, and this is the year it will release. And what a story it seems to be giving us just from the premise alone. Wallace has become too dependent on his inventions, with his latest – the smart gnome – becoming an independent thinker. A classic what if robots ruled the world story, then. I absolutely can’t wait to see this one. Wallace and Gromit never cease to delight with their antics.
And lastly, The Garfield Movie. I always love a bit of Garfield, so to have a new movie provide a new take on the franchise is an exciting proposition. And when said new take is centred around a heist… that’s just calling for plenty of fun foolishness to be spread throughout. There also seems to be some origin exploration, with Garfield’s dad being in the picture. I’m curious how that relationship is going to be portrayed.
It’s looking packed already for me, then. Add Miraculous and Doctor Who to that, and it’s even more so. Plus everything yet to be announced. When possible to do so, I will talk thoughts on everything I have seen, with the potential for a few look back at franchises before the new one arrives. It’s sure to be an exciting time for TV & Film.
Images Taken From:
“Star Wars: The Clone Wars” The Wrong Jedi | IMDB
“Pokémon Horizons” The Roaring Black Rayquaza | IMDB
The Lion King (2019) | IMDB
