As more and more trailers tease viewers with movies to come in 2017, here’s a collection of previews that may potentially launch new franchises.

‘The Mummy’ (2017)

Tom Cruise isn’t a name we usually attach to horror movies, except perhaps as a footnote for sporting a pair of fangs in ‘Interview with the Vampire’, and that was over twenty years ago. It feels strange seeing him in this second reboot of the ‘Mummy’ franchise, which also serves as the first installment in a Universal Monsters shared cinematic universe. Opposite Cruise, Russell Crowe makes an appearance as Dr. Henry Jekyll, and we get a glimpse of him here. From the look of things, the movie might be fun, but screenwriter-turned-director Alex Kurtzman’s track record doesn’t exactly ease any doubts. However, the writing tag-team of Jon Spaihts and Christopher McQuarrie tells me I should reserve judgment until more trailers come out.

[Ed.: Although ‘Dracula Untold‘ was originally supposed to be the first entry in this shared monster universe, its box office failure prompted Universal to abandon any connections between it and future movies. –JZ]

‘Ghost in the Shell’

I’m a huge fan of the ‘Ghost in the Shell’ anime series and have read a few of the manga books, so this is one of my most hotly anticipated films of 2017. To me, the preview looks awesome and surprisingly faithful to both the book and the visual beauty of Mamoru Oshii’s 1995 movie adaptation.

Following a cyborg policewoman and her investigation into a cyber-terrorist called The Puppet Master, the story explores issues of consciousness, self-autonomy and reality. According to the trailer, the film is not only eye candy but may possibly ask those deeper questions, which would give sci-fi nerds something to really chew on.

‘Baywatch’

My immediate reaction to this trailer was “WTF!” (Yes, my first thought was a stupid text abbreviation.) Seriously, what fiery pit of hell have we fallen into when a hit David Hasselhoff TV series is adapted for the silver screen and it doesn’t f**king star The Hoff himself?!

At least Dwayne Johnson makes up for that missed opportunity, sporting that smile that could crumble Mount Olympus while mesmerizing Greek gods with his rock hard, dancing pectorals. Heck, even Zac Efron, who looks like a squeaky-voiced midget hiding in the shadows of The Rock, seems reasonably funny in this. Imitating a similar approach used by the ’21 Jump Street’ movies, this action comedy from ‘Horrible Bosses’ director Seth Gordon might actually turn out okay.

‘John Wick: Chapter 2’

While it may not follow the pattern of the trailers above, the first ‘John Wick’ was a massive surprise to all. Here’s hoping that the sequel holds up and is the beginning of good things to come in the action genre.

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