Sequels and prequels coming in 2012 and beyond

The power of the film franchise is in evidence this week with the third installment of
Transformers: Dark of the Moon debuting with the biggest take of 2011 at $43.2 million in its opening night. Also, the fourth
Pirates of the Caribbean film,
On Stranger Tides, is poised to break the $1 billion mark.

Despite blockbusters' bulging budgets, the built-in audience means less risk and a big potential payoff. Green Lantern, which has earned a modest $123.8 million since June 17, will get a sequel and a new director. Thor 2 will also part with director Kenneth Branagh, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Sequels for Sherlock Holmes, Mission: Impossible, Happy Feet, Paranormal Activity and Spy Kids are coming in 2011.

Here is a list of upcoming sequels for 2012:

• Wrath of the Titans ( Clash of the Titans sequel) returns in March in 3D again, starring Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.

• Men in Black 3 is back next May after a decade with Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones fighting aliens.

• Prometheus, Ridley Scott's prequel to Alien, the series's fifth installment, has a new cast including Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron, arriving in June.

• Amazing Spider-Man with Andrew Garfield ( The Social Network) flies in in July, the fourth in the franchise.

• Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan's last Batman film, swoops down in July, with Christian Bale and Gary Oldman.

• The Bourne Legacy, starring Jeremy Renner while Matt Damon sits this one out, shows up in August after a five-year absence.

• Bond 23 stars Daniel Craig in his role as 007, after a break since 2008's Quantum of Silence. Directed by Sam Mendes and costarring Javier Bardem.

• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, the finale of the mega blockbuster franchise, ends the trilogy in November.

• Ghostbusters 3 will be resurrected from 1989 with original stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis, and Ivan Reitman directing again, in December.

• Man of Steel, the new Superman reboot with Henry Cavill and costarring Amy Adams and Russell Crowe, will be directed by Zach Snyder ( Sucker Punch, 300).

More sequels planned for 2012 include J.J. Abrams's Star Trek 2, Sylvester Stallone's The Expendables 2 and Die Hard 5 starring Bruce Willis, plus the animated Madagascar 2 and Ice Age 4.

With the success of Fast and Furious, The Hangover, The Karate Kid, Salt and Despicable Me, these films are planning sequels for 2013, which will also see a new Pirates of the Caribbean and James Cameron's much-anticipated Avatar 2.

Some unexpected sequels that could be resurrected in 2013 include Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park 4, Beverly Hills Cop 4 with Eddie Murphy, Hancock 2 and Independence Day 2 with Will Smith, plus Pixar's Monster University, the second installment of 2001's animated hit, Monsters, Inc.

There is even rumor of more from Austin Powers, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Kill Bill, Cloverfield and a possible Blade Runner prequel.

RC