Jonathan Melville: Coming to a screen near you in 2012

Haywire (18 January)

Stephen Soderbergh’s spy drama looks like it should satisfy those of us who have been deprived of Bourne and Bond for too long. Michael Fassbender and Ewan McGregor star.

The Muppets (10 February)

Kermit and co. return to cinemas after 12 years away, this time trying to save the Muppet Theatre from closure. Laughs, music and cameos guaranteed.

The Avengers (27 April)

Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk and more team up to save the world. Expect Robert Downey Jr. to steal every scene he is in.

Prometheus (1 June)

Is this an Alien prequel or not? Ridley Scott isn’t saying but the signs are that this could be an instant sci-fi classic. As long as it’s not another Alien: Resurrection.

The Dark Knight Rises (20 July)

Christopher Nolan’s final Batman adventure should look amazing on Edinburgh’s new IMAX, with Tom Hardy’s Bane a worthy adversary for Christian Bale.

Brave (17 August)

Pixar brings us Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane and Kelly Macdonald in this Scottish-set animation. At least the accents should be spot-on.

Skyfall (26 October)

James Bond (finally) returns and brings Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem with him as the franchise hits 50.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (14 December)

Fans of Middle Earth will get an early Christmas present with the first of two prequel films to Lord of the Rings.

Tell me your most anticipated films of 2012 on Twitter at @jon_melville

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