Like all movie fans, I’m eager to see most of the films scheduled for release in 2005. But I’ll have to wait until next December for the one at the top of my list -- the movie version of Mel Brooks’ Broadway hit musical, The Producers. In the meantime, here are others that look promising to me (listed in alphabetical order):

All the King’s Men (TBA).  In this second film adaptation of Robert Penn Warren’s powerful political drama, Sean Penn stars as Willie Stark, the role that won Broderick Crawford an Oscar back in 1949. 

Batman Begins (June 17). Finally, we’ll find out how Bruce Wayne became Batman. Christian Bale gets my nod as an excellent choice for moviedom’s newest Caped Crusader.   

Be Cool (March 4). John Travolta, portraying the colorful Chili Palmer again, goes after the music business in this comic sequel to Get Shorty.

Bewitched (July 8). Wrinkle your nose if you’re looking forward to the film version of this popular TV series. Intriguing casting features Nicole Kidman and Will Farrell as witch and spouse -- with Shirley MacLaine appearing as the outrageous Endora.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 14). Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces to bring this beloved children’s classic to life once more. With Depp and Burton working together again, something creative this way comes!

Cinderella Man (June 3). This one could be the Seabiscuit of 2005. Russell Crowe plays James Braddock, a down-and-out boxer who’s given a second chance during The Great Depression -- and ends up “inspiring a nation.” 

Elizabethtown (July 29). Cameron Crowe directs Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon in a drama about unexpected romance blooming amid tragic circumstances.   

Fantastic Four (July 1). Ultra-photogenic Ioan Gruffudd gets to strut his stuff here as Mr. Fantastic. If he’s as watchable in this action movie as in TV’s Horation Hornblower, who needs three other co-stars? 

Guess Who (March 25). Ashton Kutcher is the unwelcome boyfriend of Bernie Mac’s daughter in this turnabout version of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (November 18).Wizardry tournaments and teen-age crushes take center stage here. Nevertheless, Harry and his friends must still watch  out for He Who Must Not Be Named.  

The Honeymooners (March 11). Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps as Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton? Just thinking about it makes me smile.

Ice Princess (March 18). Michelle Trachtenberg goes from bookworm to a figure skating competitor in this live-action Disney film. 

The Island (July 22). Being a thriller fan, I don’t want to miss this Michael Bay sci-fi project that co-stars two versatile and talented actors, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.  

King Kong (December 14). How many times can King Kong be filmed? Until it’s done right, I answer in jest. But maybe Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson will do just that in this third movie version.  

Kingdom of Heaven (May 6). With this sweeping epic, filmmaker Ridley Scott switches from action by gladiators in Rome to knights in the Crusades. Orlando Bloom stars. 

Legend of Zorro (November 4). Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones reunite to captivate us once more in another rousing Zorro adventure.

Memoirs of a Geisha (TBA).  In this movie adaptation of a 1997 bestseller, Ziyi Zhang has the role of a girl who becomes a very successful geisha in Japan after World War II. Wouldn’t it be great if she dances as spectacularly here as she did in House of Flying Daggers?

Monster-in-Law (July 29). Jane Fonda returns to the screen to match wits with Jennifer Lopez as her future mother-in-law, a woman not happy at all about her son’s bride-to-be. The previews are very funny, so I’m hoping the movie lives up to expectations.

The New World (November 9). Playing John Smith in Terrence Malick’s cinematic interpretation of events in 17th century Virginia, Colin Farrell gets a chance to redeem himself after his Alexander fiasco.  

The Pink Panther (September 23). Steve Martin takes on Peter Sellers’ most memorable role in this “re-imagining” of the original hilarious comedy. 

The Ring Two (March 18). Although not a fan of The Ring, I’m curious to find out if the sequel will be better. Judging by the previews, it should be extremely scary indeed.

Romance and Cigarettes (TBA). I’m always eager to see a musical on the big screen, and I’m intrigued by the dream cast put together for this one. Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet and James Gandolfini star in a film that’s supposed to be a cross between Pennies from Heaven and The Honeymooners.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (May 19). In this last film of the Star Wars trilogy, we’ll discover how Anakin became Darth Vader. Shall we get in line now?  

Walk the Line (November 18). The ideal pairing of Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash sparks my interest in this biopic that should include as much romance and drama as music.   

War of the Worlds (June 29). Because of tremendous advances in special effects since the 1958 version of H.G. Wells’ novel, this remake was inevitable. Cast members Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning will surely add plenty of human interest to the destruction happening around their father/daughter characters.  

Reviewing this list makes me wonder what Hollywood would do without sequels, remakes and television shows. Less than half of the movies mentioned above are original or from other sources. Not to worry, though. Some sequels, remakes and TV film adaptations turn out to be highly entertaining movies. Cases in point are Rush Hour 2, The Manchurian Candidate and Starsky & Hutch. Guess I’m always the optimist.  

(Release dates are subject to change.)