‘Dark Knight,’ ‘Spidey,’ ‘Hobbit’ lead 2012 films

January 10, 2012|David Germain, AP Movie Writer

Hollywood is respecting the environment and recycling — again.

The prospect of a few dozen sequels, prequels, remakes and assorted other reworkings of familiar tales might sound tiresome until you look over the guest list studios have lined up.

More Batman with “The Dark Knight Rises.’’ More Peter Parker with “The Amazing Spider-Man.’’ More short guys on a quest with “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.’’ More vamps and werewolves with “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2.’’ More cool sunglasses with “Men in Black 3.’’ More Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Incredible Hulk with “The Avengers.’’ More prehistoric pals with “Ice Age: Continental Drift.’’ More traveling zoo animals with “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted.’’ There’s even more Curly, Larry and Moe with “The Three Stooges.’’

Add in three action flicks based on classic fairy tales and four 3-D reissues of major blockbusters, and 2012 might make good on Hollywood’s aim to lure back audiences after movie attendance last year dipped to its lowest since 1995.

Here’s a look at the year’s coming attractions:

SUPERHERO PARADE:

Nicolas Cage provides a winter warm-up with “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’’ (Feb. 17), returning as the bounty hunter from hell on a mission to rescue a child from the devil.

The heavy-hitters arrive this summer. First up is “The Avengers’’ (May 4), teaming Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye.

Directed by Joss Whedon, “The Avengers’’ has S.H.I.E.L.D. leader Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) assembling a superhero dream team to battle Thor’s bad brother (Tom Hiddleston).

After two “Iron Man’’ flicks with his billionaire inventor Tony Stark at center stage, Downey said it was an adjustment joining an ensemble.

“In his world, there are just people who satellite around him. So this was sort of a mandatory humility, and it’s definitely getting me in the right mindset for parenting,’’ said Downey, who’s expecting a baby with wife Susan.

Next comes “The Amazing Spider-Man’’ (July 3), with Andrew Garfield taking over as Peter Parker in director Marc Webb’s new take on how a mutant spider bite turns the gangly teen into the web-slinging hero.