The Biggest Stories of the Upcoming Summer Movie Season

The summer movie season is almost upon us, as are the usual summer movie traditions. Sequels, remakes, CGI, animation, CGI, a few surprise hits, and CGI will fill up the summer season again. But even for summer movies, this year is jam-packed with big spectacles, the return of some old friends, as well as the occasional film that might do well with critics. The summer movies have a lot of big storylines and intrigue that will captivate moviegoers in the next four months. So here are the biggest stories to look forward to in the 2008 summer movie season.

Robert Downey Jr begins and ends summer with a bang.
As usual, summer kicks off in the beginning of May in movie world, this time with the comic book film "Iron Man." Cast as the man in the iron suit is Robert Downey Jr, who has finally become better known for his acting than his off screen scandals these days. With his persona put into comic book hero form, Downey seems poised to have a big hit to start the summer. But that's nothing compared to the buzz Downey's gotten for an end-of-summer film.
Ben Stiller directs the August 15 release "Topic Thunder" about a trio of difficult actors shooting a war film- who are then transported into a real life war by their aggravated director. Downey made some big news when it was discovered that his part was done in blackface. You didn't read that wrong. Downey's character is an ultra dedicated actor who paints himself in blackface to play a black soldier, and stays that way throughout "Tropic Thunder." Advance buzz is that this is even more hilarious than it is offensive, and could give Downey another hit and an instant classic comedy performance to end the summer season that he started.