With the 2011 summer blockbuster season approaching (since summer now begins in April, apparently), what’s the most anticipated tentpole of 2012? The Dark Knight Rises, of course! So let’s get through these new details on Battle: Los Angeles director Jonathan Liebesman‘s sequel to Clash of the Titans.
First, although repeatedly referred to as Wrath of the Titans on the blogosphere, the official press release gives the film the brilliant title Clash of the Titans 2. Second, it started shooting this week. Third, Gemma Arterton will not be returning, having jumped ship to join Jeremy Renner in yet another fairy tale reworking, Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.
And in case you were wondering, Sam Worthington will reprise his role as Perseus, along with Liam Neeson as Zeus, Ralph Fiennes as Hades, and Danny Huston as Poseidon. Jumping aboard the paycheck wagon for the sequel are Rosamund Pike as warrior princess Andromeda, Edgar Ramirez as god of war Ares, Toby Krebbel as Argenor and Bill Nighy as Hephaestus.
As for the plot:
A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus—the demigod son of Zeus—is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity’s lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld.
Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus’ godly son, Ares (Edgar Ramírez), switch loyalty and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans’ strength grows stronger as Zeus’ remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike), Poseidon’s demigod son, Argenor (Toby Kebbell), and fallen god Hephaestus (Bill Nighy), Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.
Louis Letterier‘s remake of the 1981 Harry Hamlin cheesefest was not as bad as last year’s Worst Movie Razzie winner The Last Airbender, but Lord, it wasn’t good. Hammy acting, a wooden plot as thick as star Worthington’s equally plank-like performance, and evidently they borrowed the Lens Flare Generator from J.J. Abrams‘s Star Trek for Liam Neeson’s sparkly armor. The addition of Liebesman to the director’s chair inspires mostly chuckles, so it remains to be seen whether or not the sequel loosens up a little bit and slips into a well-it-won’t-be-good-but-let’s-have-fun groove.
Did you like the first Clash of the Titans? Will this one be any better? And/or can it get any worse?