With the awards shows all wrapped up, March seems comparatively sparse – the quiet before the storm that is blockbuster season. That being said, there’s plenty coming out this month for you to sink your teeth into if you know where to look. That’s where we come in – Flip Screen’s George Forster and James Palmer have once again done battle against boredom and compiled all the big stuff coming up this month.
So, let us be your guides to March 2020.
Dave, Season 1
Dave Burd, March 4th on FXX
Based on the career of comedian and rapper Dave Burd, better known by his stage name Lil’ Dicky, Dave chronicles the life of the neurotic 20-something convinced he is destined for rap fame. Fans of Dicky’s comedic rap style can expect a seamless transfer to situational comedy with his trademark self-depreciation shining through at all times. Dave premiers March 4th on FXX
Castlevania Season 3
Adi Shankar, Returning to Netflix on March 5th
The popular Netflix show based off the Konami gothic horror video game makes a return for its third season. Under Adi Shankar’s development and with writing from Warren Ellis, Castlevania’s following seems to keep snowballing as the show has gained more popularity with every season. Taking place after Trevor (Richard Armitage) led the Belmont team to defeat Dracula (Graham McTavish) and prevent his zombie army from destroying Wallachia, season three will follow Team Belmont ready to move on as Dracula’s evil forces will rise from the dead once again.
Onward
Dan Scanlon, Releases March 6th.
Two elf brothers set out on a quest to bring their father, who died when they were too young to remember him, back for one day. Framed in an interesting combination of fantasy literature and suburban Americana bringing the themes closer to home, and helmed by the always touching Pixar, Onward is set to be an endearing, heartfelt adventure for all the family. You can find Onward in cinemas on March 6th.
Fantasy Island
Jeff Wadlow, March 6th
The Blumhouse production model is fairly bulletproof and their latest flick seems evidence that they cannot fail when it comes to box office. On a budget of $7 million, Jeff Wadlow returns to direct following his teen horror Truth or Dare (2018), this time adapting ABC’s 70’s television series Fantasy Island with an ensemble cast featuring Michael Pena and Lucy Hale. Despite negative reviews from critics, Fantasy Island will still hope to make a splash in the teen market.
And Then We Danced
Levan Akin, March 13th in the UK
Making a name for itself at Cannes Film Festival last year, as well as others including Odesa International Film Festival, And Then We Danced may be one of the most prestigious movies currently not being talked about. The story follows Merab (Levan Gelbakhiani) as he trains at the National Georgian Ensemble with his partner Mary (Ana Javakhishvili). However, when Irakli (Bachi Valishvili) arrives, he becomes both his rival and strongest desire. With screenings of the film causing protests in Georgia by ultra-conservative and pro-Russian groups, And Then We Danced may prove to be one of the most important LGBT+ films of recent years.
Westworld, Season 3
Jonathan Nolan, March 15th on HBO
After Game of Thrones wrapped up, Westworld became one of the last shows standing from the golden age of HBO, and after a near two-year wait, fans are getting antsy. After season two received more middling reviews in comparison to its debut, with some attributing overindulgence in philosophy with a decline in ratings, there are rumours that season three will hold back a little on the nebulous stuff. That being said, it’s expected that season three will have plenty of intellectual meat to satisfy those craving something a little more thoughtful than your run of the mill TV drama. Westworld season 3 airs March 15th on HBO.
A Quiet Place: Part 2
John Krasinski, Releases March 19th
After TV funny man and star of The Office, John Krasinski, shocked everybody with his 2018 horror A Quiet Place, in which he stars alongside his spouse Emily Blunt (Edge of Tomorrow) in an apocalyptic world overtaken by vicious creatures which hunt by sound, fans were quickly baying for a sequel. Spoiler alert, but Part 2 follows Blunt’s Evelyn as she and her two children continue their journey after her husband Lee’s sacrifice at the end of the first instalment. The tag line: silence is not enough and Paramount Pictures’ synopsis stating “…creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats…” promises an evolution of the story with just as much terror as before.
The Jesus Rolls
John Turturro, Releases March 20th in the UK
In the world of sequels and franchise properties, a The Big Lebowski sequel didn’t seem like a crazy idea. But a film following the side character of Jesus Quintana only appeared as a passion project for John Turturro who writes, directs and stars. However also being based on Bertrand Blier’s Going Places, The Jesus Rolls tries to expand just the character of Jesus by following a trio of sexually depraved misfits (the other two played by Bobby Cannavale and Audrey Tautou). Gaining permission from the Coen brothers themselves, Turturro will hope to recreate the charm that came with the original in 1998.
Mulan (2020 Live Action)
Niki Caro, Released March 27th
The next beloved Disney property to undergo the live-action treatment is Mulan, the tale of a young woman taking her ailing fathers place in the Chinese army in order to – sing it with me – “get down to business, to defeat the Huns.” The remake promises to lean more heavily into the ballad of Mulan, the piece of Chinese folklore the 1998 original was based on. This, alongside similar moves such as the cutting of fan favourite Mushu, was done to appeal more to the Chinese market who saw Eddie Murphy’s dragon a little less favourably than western audiences. All of this sets Mulan up as a more grounded story but threatens to lose some of the charm that made the original so memorable. However, as long as the core story is as strong, we don’t see the film doing too badly at the box office.
Peter Rabbit 2
Will Gluck, Releases March 27th
Nicknamed ‘Irritating Rabbit’ by Mark Kermode when the original was released, Beatrix Potter’s beloved character seems to take a more modern approach when focusing on the mischievous creature. Yet somehow a second one has been financed and will be gracing our screens in time for the Easter holidays. All the main cast return including a voice cast of James Corden, Elizabeth Debicki, Margot Robbie and Daisy Ridley.
Ozark Season 3
Bill Dubuque & Mark Williams, Returning to Netflix on March 27th
Famously blue and popular, Ozark is another Netflix property coming back due to high demand. Starring an excellent cast including the likes of Jason Bateman, Laura Linney and Julia Garner, and with two Emmy wins now under its belt, Ozark is establishing itself as one of Netflix’s best crime drama shows. With little known about season three, showrunner Chris Mundy has stated that Ruth (Garner) will continue to get closer to the Byrdes as Marty (Bateman) further descends into darkness.
Flip Screen 