While following multiple characters throughout a movie may seem difficult, however, if done well, it may provide us with a range of talent and intertwining tales that make for a fantastic plot. Hollywood is hardly a newcomer to the idea of an ensemble cast movie, as seen by blockbusters likeDon’t Look Up,Babel,Inception,orValentine’s Day.
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In addition, 2022 is also a year that saw a lot of ensemble-cast films and upcoming motion pictures, including murder mystery thrillers and action adventures. Regardless of the film’s genre, an ensemble cast will certainly captivate viewers and improve the overall cinematic experience.
‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mysteryis a murder mystery filmwritten and directed byRian Johnsonand is a standalone sequel to the 2019Knives Out. Detective Benoit Blanc returns inDaniel Craig’s portrayal as he makes his way to Greece to work on his most recent case after being invited by a tech tycoon, Miles Bron (Edward Norton) to his getaway “murder mystery party” on Glass Onion, his private Greek island.
Similar to the first film,Glass Onionshowcases an excellent array of acting prowess. Alongside Craig, Edward Norton, who portrayed tech mogul Miles Bron, leads the roster of A-listers includingJanelle Monáe,Kate Hudson,Ethan Hawke,Dave Bautista,Leslie Odom Jr.,Kathryn Hahn,Jessica Henwick,Jackie Hoffman,Hugh Grant,Natasha Lyonne, andSerena Williams.
‘Bullet Train’
Bullet Trainis an action comedy film directed byDavid Leitchand based on the 2010 novelMaria Beetlewritten byKōtarō Isaka. The film centers on an unfortunate assassin named Ladybug (Brad Pitt) who vows to carry out his mission without violence following a string of unsatisfactory jobs. However, Ladybug’s most recent job sends him hurtling toward deadly foes from all over the world who are all working toward related but opposing goals aboard the world’s fastest train.
Along with Pitt,Bullet Trainhas an ensemble of A-list celebrities such asAaron Taylor-JohnsonandBrian Tyree Henryas British twin assassin, Tangerine and Lemon;Joey Kingas The Prince, a young woman who masterfully manipulates the assassins; along withAndrew Koji,Hiroyuki Sanada,Michael Shannon,Benito A. Martínez Ocasio,Sandra Bullock,Zazie Beetz,Logan Lerman, andMasi Oka. The film also features uncredited cameo roles fromChanning TatumandRyan Reynolds.
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‘The Gray Man’
The Gray Manis an action thriller film directed byAnthonyandJoe Russoand based onMark Greaney’s 2009 novel of the same name. The movie centers on Six (Ryan Gosling), the finest assassin in the CIA’s deep-cover Sierra program. Nevertheless, a mission goes wrong, and Six is now on the run from the CIA with sociopath Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans) hot on his heels.
Besides Gosling and Evans,the film also welcomes a variety of A-list actorsincludingAna de Armasplaying Dani Miranda, a fellow CIA agent who eventually helps Six;Bridgerton’sRegé-Jean Pageas Denny Carmichael, the lead agent on the assassination mission;Jessica Henwickas Suzanne Brewer, Carmichael’s subordinate who oversees Hansen and keeps him in line; along withWagner Moura,Julia Butters,Dhanush,Alfre Woodard,andBilly Bob Thornton. Moreover, the film also starts withCallan Mulvey’s cameo as Dining Car, a.k.a Four.
‘Death on the Nile’
Death on the Nileis a murder mystery film directed byKenneth Branaghand based onAgatha Christie’s 1937 novel of the same name. The picture centers on a picture-perfect couple’s beautiful honeymoon is brutally cut short, turning Detective Hercule Poirot’s (Branagh) holiday on a luxurious river steamboat into a nightmarish hunt for a murderer.
In keeping with its forerunner,Murder on the Orient Express,Death on the Nilealso had an ensemble cast.Tom Batemanand Branagh both reprise their roles as Hercule Poirot and Bouc, respectively. Among the celebrities that appear areArmie Hammer,Annette Bening,Gal Gadot,Rose Leslie,Letitia Wright, andSex Education’sEmma Mackey. Other well-known names from the UK comedy industry, such asDawn French,Jennifer Saunders, andRussell Brand, are also featured.
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‘Amsterdam’
Amsterdam, aDavid O. Russell’s period comedy thriller, follows three friends, a doctor, a nurse, and a lawyer (played respectively byChristian Bale,Margot Robbie,andJohn David Washington), who are implicated in the enigmatic murder of a retired US general, which is based on the Business Plot, a political conspiracy in the US from 1933.
In addition to its three well-known lead actors, the movie also features numerous other notable Hollywood performers, includingAlessandro Nivola,Chris Rock,Anya Taylor-Joy,Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon,Mike Myers,Timothy Olyphant,Rami Malek,Zoe Saldaña,Taylor SwiftandRobert De Niro.
‘Entergalactic’
Entergalacticis an adult animated musical television specialcreated by American singer and actor,Kid Cudiand it serves as a visual accompaniment to his album of the same name. The story follows Jabari (Kid Cudi), a charismatic streetwear-clad artist on the verge of true success, who must decide whether he can find room in his life for love following a fortuitous encounter with his hip new photographer neighbor, Meadow (Jessica Williams).
Additionally, Entergalactic includes the voices of many well-known celebrities in the field, includingSpider-Man: Homecoming’sLaura Harrieras Jabari’s ex, Carmen;Ty Dolla $ignas Jabari’s friend, Ky whileTimothée Chalametvoiced the other friend, Jimmy;Vanessa Hudgensas Meadow’s pregnant friend, Karina; along withChristopher Abbott,Keith David,Jaden Smith,Macaulay Culkin, andFrancesca Reale.
BabylonisDamien Chazelle’s upcoming epic period comedy-drama film that tells the story of oversized ambition and extravagant excess and follows the rise and fall of several certain individuals during a time of unrestrained luxury and depravity in early Hollywood.
It makes sense to starJean Smart, who is in the prime of her career given that the film would be set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The ensemble cast also includes Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt,Katherine Waterston,Max Minghella,Samara Weaving,Olivia Wilde,Tobey Maguire,Phoebe Tonkin,Spike Jonze, and more.
‘Avatar: The Way of Water’
Avatar: The Way of Wateris an upcoming epic science fiction filmdirected byJames Cameronand the second installment in Cameron’sAvatarfranchise, following the 2009Avatar. The movie continues to follow Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his newly created family on the planet Pandora. However, Jake must cooperate with Neytiri and the Na’vi race’s army to defend their planet as a recurring threat returns to finish what it started.
Besides Stephen Lang’s deceased Colonel Quaritch who will return in this sequel presumably in an A.I. form, a few performers from the 2009 Avatar will reprise their roles including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña,Joel David Moore,CCH Pounder,Giovanni Ribisi,Dileep Rao, andMatt Gerald. WhileSigourney Weaver, whose character perished in the first film will also return as Kiri, Jake and Neytiri’s teenage daughter. New additions to the cast includeKate Winslet,Cliff Curtis,Edie Falco,Jemaine Clement, andBrendan Cowell.
‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessis a superhero film directed bySam Raimiand based on Marvel Comics' same-name character. The film serves as a sequel to the 2016Doctor Strangeas the titular character, played byBenedict Cumberbatch, joins forces with a mysterious teenage girl from his nightmares who has the ability to travel across multiverses to combat numerous threats, including other-universe versions of himself that threaten to wipe off millions across the multiverse.
Along with Cumberbatch who reprises his role as Doctor Strange, MCU fans also get to see many regulars of this cinematic universe return to their roles includingElizabeth Olsenas Scarlet Witch,Chiwetel Ejioforas Karl Mordo,Benedict Wong,Michael Stuhlbarg, andRachel McAdams. New anticipated members of the film areXochitl Gomez,Jett Klyne,Julian Hilliard,Hayley Atwell,Lashana Lynch,John Krasinski, andPatrick Stewart.Charlize Theronalso made a small cameo in the film’s post-credit.
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The 355is an action spy thriller film directed bySimon Kinbergand based on the film’s screenwriter,Theresa Rebeck’s story. The movie follows a wild card CIA agent Mace Brown (Jessica Chastain) must assemble a team of multinational spies after a top-secret weapon falls into the hands of mercenaries in order to prevent a terrorist cell from launching World War III.
Besides Chastain leading the cast in the role of Mace Brown, the film includes a diverse cast withPenélope Cruzas DNI agent and psychologist Graciela Rivera,Diane Krugeras German BND agent Marie Schmidt,Lupita Nyong’oas a former MI6 agent,Fan Bingbingas MSS agent Lin Mi Sheng andSebastian Stanas Nick Fowler, a CIA officer and Mace’s former colleague and boyfriend. Some other cast members includeJason Flemyng,Edgar Ramírez,Leo Staar, andJason Wong.
