It’s expected that this low-budget film starring virtual unknowns (with no gratuitous nudity, violence or special effects) will be one of the comedy hits of 2009.

The film takes us back to 1998 and follows a group of Star Wars-mad friends who plan to steal an early print of Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace before it’s release date. The road trip sees them fulfilling the last dying wish of a friend with cancer.

The release date has been changed several times due to re-shoots and new scenes. Two versions of the film were actually made - one with the cancer plot and one without, the latter containing humour more suited to your average American Pie-esque teen film.

Upon hearing this, Star Wars fans united to protest against the removal of the cancer plot by announcing an internet campaign and boycott of the Weinstein Company behind the film. Thankfully, the company listened to the fans and stuck to the original cancer plot.

Release date: February 6th, 2009

Where The Wild Things Are is one of the few books that most of us remember from childhood (that and The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and has been popular since its publication in 1963.

With a fanbase stretching over 40 years there’s no doubt that the film version of the book will be talked about, but there are a couple of challenges faced by director Spike Jonze.

Firstly, the entire book is ten sentences long.

Secondly, the plot consists of a boy sent to bed with no supper (for causing mischief in a wolf suit!) who escapes to a forest full of ‘wild things’, doesn’t enjoy it after all and goes back to find that his mum has changed his mind (and he has been served supper after all). Would the plot be able to captivate an adult audience as well as a child one - and if the plot is updated, would they retain the childish simplicity of the book?

Finally, it’s a bit of a risk-take. Maurice Sendak’s beloved illustrations are being translated to a live-action film with CGI, animatronics and something weird called Suitmation.

All in all, it’ll be interesting to see how the director and scriptwriters maintain the charm of the original story in a feature-length movie.

Release date: October 16th, 2009

2008 has been a bumper year for movie blockbusters, but with the year drawing to a close what movies can we expect to transform the (presumably) rainy summer of 2009?

This week, we bring you news from the sequel to student favourite (and total head-spinner) Donnie Darko.

Plot details are sparse, but we do know that S. Darko follows Donnie’s sister Samantha seven years after his death on a road trip with friend Corey in 1994.

On the way to Hollywood they are plagued by strange visions…and that’s all we know.

At least the cast list is more detailed - it reads like a Who’s Who of American sitcom stars with actors from Gossip Girl, Saved By the Bell and One Tree Hill making appearances.

Fans of Donnie Darko may be disappointed to hear that it’s writer and director, Richard Kelly, has nothing to do with the sequel. However Chris Fisher, director of S. Darko hopes to “create a similar world of blurred fantasy and reality”.

Hmm. We’ll see.

Release date: July 10th, 2009

For more movie news check out the Entertainment articles on the Beanzine.