Action-packed summer from Hollywood

Sci-fi films, superhero stories and action-adventures will occupy the big screen this summer, Hollywood offers a number of highly-anticipated films this summer!

The kids don't want to be left behind so there will be animations, with sequels and a couple of original tales.

Action and animation will rule this season.

'The Avengers' have already kicked off the summer crusade with record-breaking box office collection for this year.

The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship in June might see a major shift of movie goers but to tackle the football frenzy Hollywood is gearing up with some of the best from its satchel.

So let's take a look at the top five most anticipated films of the summer.

The Dark Knight Rises

Star Cast: Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gary Oldman
Director: Christopher Nolan
Genre: Action/Crime/Drama
Release dates: July 18-20 in North America and Europe, rolls out July 25-27 worldwide
Plot: Eight years after Batman took the fall for Two Face's crimes, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy.

Christian Bale reprises his role for the last time as Batman/Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan's last tale in his Batman trilogy, taking on the evil Bane. Easily the most anticipated movie of the summer, the final chapter of Batman franchise finally is ready to see the light of day. The previous film destroyed records only to be just behind two James Cameron films and take third as the top grossing film of all time. This time, Batman wants blood.

The Expendables 2

Star Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Liam Hemsworth and Randy Couture
Director: Simon West
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release dates: August 16-17 in Russia, the UK and North America, followed by most of the world through the month and Japan in October
Plot: Mr. Church reunites the Expendables for what should be an easy paycheck, but when one of their men is murdered on the job; their quest for revenge puts them deep in enemy territory and up against an unexpected threat.

Starring classic action heroes Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Van Damme, Lundgren and Jet Li, plus a new breed with Liam Hemsworth and Jason Statham, who join the team. This sequel brings the Expendables together again.

Brave in 3D

Star Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly and Emma Thompson
Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
Genre: Action/Animation
Release dates: Brave is scheduled for release on June 21-22 in Australia, Russia, Brazil, Singapore and North America, followed by Japan and South America in July and Europe in August.
Plot: Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. Granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Star Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans
Director: Marc Webb
Genre: Action/Adventure
Release dates: Worldwide July 3-6
Plot: This reboot of the successful Marvel Comics superhero franchise stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network), replacing Tobey Maguire as a teenage Peter Parker juggling human problems that turn into a crisis when he meets his father's former partner. Emma Stone costars as girlfriend Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as villain The Lizard.

Total Recall

Star Cast: Colin Farrell, Bokeem Woodbine and Bryan Cranston
Director: Len Wiseman
Genre: Action
Release dates: August 2-3 in Asia and North America
Plot: In this remake of Arnold Schwarzenegger's 1990 hit, Colin Farrell stars as a factory worker who suspects he's a spy but doesn't know which side he's on, the nation state of Euromerica or New Shanghai. Also stars Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Bryan Cranston. Directed by Les Wiseman (Underworld).

Bourne Legacy

Star Cast:Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Genre: Action/Thriller
Release dates: August 3 to 23 in most markets, followed in September by France, South Africa and Japan
Plot: A story centered on a new CIA operative in the universe based on Robert Ludlum's novels.

With Matt Damon on hiatus from this franchise, the fourth installment, based on Robert Ludlum's novels, features Oscar winner Jeremy Renner (The Avengers). Jeremy Renner does his own stunts in 'The Bourne Legacy'. The Bourne Legacy is the rare live action summer blockbuster without aliens or superheroes.

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