2021 has been a YEAR, am I right? What’s that, we’re barely 3 weeks in? Oof magoof. Many of us began 2021 with high hopes for a year that would be less dumpster fire and more “normal”, but those dreams were quickly dashed by a failed insurrection, a botched COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and the nonstop Indiana Jones-style murder boulder that is Trump’s final weeks in office. Of course, many among us don’t really consider it a new year until January 20th, when Biden and Harris are sworn in and our collective orange nightmare is over.
But there’s not just the demise and de-platforming of Trump to look forward to (although we’re counting the minutes) in 2021. The MCU is launching their new Disney+ series. More Star Wars content is coming. And we may actually get vaccinated and be able to go places and touch stranger’s faces as we did in the Great Before!
Despite coronavirus delays and pushed release dates, 2021 promises to be a banner year in pop culture. So we asked our resident Mary Sues about what pop culture events they are most looking forward to in 2021.
Lyra Hale:
I’m looking forward to the release of Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Not only does it look stunning, from the scenery to the music, but it stars Rose Tico herself, Kelly Marie Tran. After all the hate that she received from the racist and sexist Star Wars fans, this is her time to shine. Also, I want a roly poly bug creature that helps me during my adventures. Here’s hoping Disney does this right and gives us action figures/plushies for both!
Dan Van Winkle:
I’m looking forward to one day finally seeing A Quiet Place Part II. Not only was the first one really enjoyable, but I’m excited to see where they go with the second installment, since there was so much room left to expand the world.
Chelsea Steiner:
As someone who loves a good con artist tale, 2021 is blessing me doubly. First, there’s Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix series Inventing Anna, based on the viral New York Magazine article, “How Anna Delvey Tricked New York’s Party People” written by Jessica Pressler. The series stars Julia Garner (Ozark) as Delvey, who scams her way into high society by pretending to be a German heiress. Anna Chlumsky and Laverne Cox co-star.
But wait, there’s more! Kate McKinnon stars as Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes in Hulu’s limited series The Dropout. Based on the eponymous podcast by Rebecca Jarvis and ABC Radio, I can only hope that the series features liberal usage of MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This.”
Jessica Mason:
The Valar willing, I am most excited to see Amazon’s Lord of the Rings come to the screen sometime this year. I grew up with the original novels and Jackson films and they are such a part of who I am today. I can’t wait to go back to middle Earth because in a way it feels like going home.
Briana Lawrence:
(image: screencap/GoodSmile)
Promare was the adrenaline rush that kept on burning our souls, and I’ve been anxiously waiting for some merch to decorate my office with. But I can’t just buy Lio Fotia without his pizza eating, firefighting himbo Galo Thymos. As soon as pre-orders went up for these two, I was all in and they are set to be shipped out this year.
Ship is definitely the appropriate word here. I’m looking forward to my Galo figure administering CPR for 30 seconds on my Lio figure, the two losing their shirts and jumping into a mech pod to save the world (I’m not kidding that’s how Promare ends). No, you can’t take off any of the figures’ clothes, but Galo comes shirtless, because of course he does. A himbo, right down to his official merch.
Rachel Leishman:
Trying to keep my hope extremely limited (because I have been burned by the release push time and time again), I’m going to keep my eyes set on the weekly release of WandaVision episodes. The show is Marvel’s first foray into the Disney+ sphere, something that I’ve been waiting for since its announcement. Finally getting to actually see Wanda Maximoff have her time every week is exciting! Otherwise, I fear rallying behind any release cause who knows what 2021 brings.
What pop culture are you most looking forward to in 2021? let us know in the comments!
(featured image: Disney+)
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