
10 cinematic stars set for a huge 2020
10 cinematic stars set for a huge 2020
With director Jason Reitman expected to have a big year, we revisit his earlier film, Men, Women & Children, as it lands on Film4
With director Jason Reitman expected to have a big year, we revisit his earlier film, Men, Women & Children, as it lands on Film4
Jason Reitman’s Men, Women & Children is coming to Film4. His is a name you might hear a lot over the next 12 months
Men, Women & Children, Tuesday 14 January, 10.50pm, Film4/HD (CH 428/429). Also available on All 4 until Tuesday 21 January
“The internet is bad and scary and is going to destroy us all” is the theme of, if we’re being totally honest, far too many films and TV shows these days.
But director Jason Reitman’s Men, Women & Children – based on Chad Kultgen’s 2011 novel – is more than just a cautionary tale about the darker side of the digital sphere, it’s a captivating exploration of life in the 21st century and how the internet has shaped our relationships and how we perceive ourselves.
Adam Sandler stars as Don, a depressed middle-aged man in an unhappy marriage who’s addicted to online adult material. When his computer fails to connect to the internet one day, he resorts to using his 15-year-old son Chris’ computer, and discovers a troubling browsing history, which, it turns out, is damaging his relationship with his girlfriend Hannah (Olivia Crocicchia).
And the issues don’t stop there. Hannah’s mum (Judy Greer) manages her daughter’s raunchy subscription fansite, while her classmate Tim (Ansel Elgort, pre-Baby Driver fame) has quit his football team to focus on an online fantasy game.
Reitman, who also directed the acclaimed Juno, is set for a big 2020 – he’s heading up the hugely anticipated Ghostbusters: Afterlife, due for release this summer. Here are ten other stars that are expected to have a huge year on the silver screen.
1. Kristen Stewart

Fresh from starring in Elizabeth Banks’ butt-kicking 2019 reboot of Charlie’s Angels, Kristen Stewart is embarking on another mission. The thrilling Underwater follows an undersea research crew that gets trapped underwater (duh) following an earthquake. It’s a dark new direction for Stewart, and one we can’t wait to dive into.
2. Cathy Yan
You probably haven’t heard of Cathy Yan, but you may have heard about the film she’s directing. Yan is at the helm of Birds Of Prey, which sees the return of Margot Robbie’s supervillain Harley Quinn, coming in February. Not only does it look great, it’s groundbreaking too, with Yan the first Asian woman to direct a big-budget superhero movie. Look out for it in February.
3. Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala

Unless you’re a fan of under-the-radar Austrian horror films, Franz and Fiala will mean nothing to you, but they’re about to explode with the UK release of The Lodge in February. Touted by critics as “the next great horror film”, this winter-set shocker will prove as unsettling as it is unforgettable.
4. Matthew Vaughn
Vaughn’s Kingsman franchise is becoming the sort of runaway success Vaughn could only have dreamed about. A third film – a prequel titled The King’s Man – is coming out on Valentine’s Day, and a spin-off movie and TV series are also in the works. Ker-ching, Matthew!
5. John Krasinski
Krasinksi will always be Jim from The Office, but the Jack Ryan star is also forging a highly successful career as a writer and director. The sequel to his 2018 horror hit, A Quiet Place – in which he starred alongside his wife Emily Blunt – is coming out in March.
6. Liu Yifei

One of China’s most popular actresses is about to hit the international stage when she plays the starring role in the live-action version of Disney’s Mulan in March. With a string of action flicks behind her and some seriously impressive sword skills, expect to be blown away when Mulan soars into cinemas this March.
7. Vin Diesel
We’re fairly convinced Vin Diesel never actually sleeps. After doing his bit to help save the universe as Groot in the Guardians Of The Galaxy films, he’s right back at it again, with two huge movies – 1980s action movie-inspired superhero film Bloodshot and the ninth instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise. Yep, the ninth…
8. Ferdia Shaw
If you were a teenager during the noughties you may remember Eoin Colfer’s series of fantasy novels Artemis Fowl, which follows the exploits of a 12-year-old criminal mastermind. Now, the first book is being adapted into a film, with newcomer Ferdia Shaw in the title role. With a supporting cast of big-name stars such as Judy Dench, plus Kenneth Branagh directing, the young actor’s future looks very bright indeed.
9. Lin-Manuel Miranda

Is there anything Lin-Manuel Miranda can’t do? The Hamilton creator and His Dark Materials star is bringing his first Broadway musical, In The Heights, to the silver screen this summer. You just know it’s going to be great.
10. Miguel Sapochnik
Game Of Thrones fans will likely remember Sapochnik’s name – he was responsible for directing many of the show’s greatest episodes. This year, he’s heading up Bios – an apocalyptic sci-fi jobby starring Tom Hanks. How’s that for a spectacular combo?
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