Now that Frodo’s journey has come to an end with the final chapter of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, what do fans of movie adventures have to look forward to?
Here’s a look at some of 2004’s adventure films. Release dates are subject to change.
“Van Helsing”: Vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing takes on Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Wolf Man. Hugh Jackman stars, with Kate Beckinsale and Richard Roxburgh. (May 7)
“Troy”: When Prince Paris of Troy steals the beautiful Helen from her husband, King Menelaus of Sparta, the king launches the entire Greek armada against the seemingly invincible walls of Troy. Based on Homer’s “The Illiad,” the Trojan War epic is directed by Wolfgang Petersen, with a cast that includes Brad Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom. (May 14)
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”: The third film based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling fantasy novels is directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who made the stylish and sexy art-house hit “Y Tu Mama Tambien.” The film, which is darker in tone, finds Harry and his pals confronting a dangerous renegade wizard, played by Gary Oldman. (June 4)
“Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow”: Pitched as “Indiana Jones meets Buck Rogers,” this sci-fi adventure pits swashbuckling aviator Jude Law and his Warhawk P-40 against spaceships over 1930s New York, while giant robots rampage in the streets below. The actors, who also include Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, were filmed against blue screens; everything else is computer-generated. (June 11)
“Spider-Man 2”: The sequel to the 2002 blockbuster hit finds Peter Parker tangling with Doctor Octopus, a megalomaniac scientist who supplements his own appendages with mechanical arms that let him toss cars like toys. Director Sam Raimi returns, along with Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. Alfred Molina joins in as “Doc Ock.” (July 2)
“The Brothers Grimm”: Director Terry Gilliam applies his visual imagination to a look at the lives of fairy tale authors Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, who pretend to rid villages of “enchanted” creatures. Their bluff is called when they are forced to investigate a haunted forest where girls have been disappearing. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger are Jake and Will; Monica Bellucci plays an evil sorceress. (November)
“Alexander”: Oliver Stone directs this year’s other swords-and-sandals epic, which stars Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great, the Macedonian king who, by the age of 32, had conquered the known, pre-Roman world. The historical combat drama will concentrate on Alexander’s conquests, as well as his childhood. The cast also includes Angelina Jolie and Val Kilmer. (Nov. 5)