Fandango shares fans’ most anticipated movie heroes for 2023

5. Paul Rudd as Ant-Man

Paul Rudd returns as Scott Lang a.k.a. Ant-Man in “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” The threequel debuts in theaters on Feb. 17, 2023.

This will be Rudd’s fifth time portraying the character since 2015 across various films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Quantumania” will see the return of Jonathan Majors as Kang, a relatively new formidable foe in the MCU who first appeared in 2021’s “Loki.”

Movie audiences last saw Ant-Man in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” but guests onboard the new Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Wish, get to see Rudd’s first post-“Endgame” Marvel appearance made just for them. Rudd filmed new footage (along with Evangeline Lilly as the Wasp and a host of other Marvel performers) shown exclusively during the ship’s “World of Marvel” dinner experience. Part of Ant-Man’s schtick in the show is addressing a famously awkward theory about how he could have defeated Thanos.

4. Zoe Saldaña as Gamora

Zoe Saldaña once again brings Gamora to life in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” coming to theaters May 5, 2023.

While Saldaña has been part of the “Guardians” franchise since its inception in 2014, this time around she’ll presumably portray an alternate version of her beloved character.

Gamora died at the hand of Thanos in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” but a 2014-era version of Gamora jumped into the present during the events of 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame.” This Gamora is still a rogue vigilante, and notably has no personal connection to the other Guardians. How this journey plays out in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” will be fascinating new territory.

Saldaña most recently reprised Gamora in “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” at Epcot, which opened in 2022. The non-canon escapade features footage created just for the roller coaster.

3. Keanu Reeves as John Wick

Keanu Reeves is back in Lionsgate’s “John Wick: Chapter 4,” making its way to theaters March 24, 2023.

The franchise began in 2014 and also includes among its cast Donnie Yen, Bill Skarsgård, and Laurence Fishburne. Chad Stahelski directs the fourth installment, as he did all previous three films. The action-packed “John Wick” films add to Reeves’ eclectic filmography alongside the likes of “Point Break,” “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure,” and “The Matrix.”

2. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford makes his triumphant return as everyone’s favorite adventurer in “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.” This fifth installment in the series will debut in theaters June 30, 2023.

Any countdown of most anticipated movie heroes for 2023 would simply be incomplete without Ford’s long-awaited comeback. Ford is adamant that this is his final time portraying the legendary character — but also that he doesn’t want anyone else to take his place.

Ford last played Indy in 2008’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” and since then revived his other iconic Lucasfilm character, Han Solo, for the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. To coincide with the releases of those “Star Wars” films, Disney updated “Star Tours” at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios with new footage. Though Ford was absent from that park-exclusive content, it set a precedence for Disney updating established rides for new movies, if appropriate and viable. “Indiana Jones” experiences exist in Disney parks on both coasts, with “Indiana Jones Adventure” at Disneyland and “Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney has yet to announce if either attraction will receive enhancements to tie in with “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.”

1. Most anticipated hero: Chris Pratt as Star-Lord

Fans’ top pick among the most anticipated movie heroes in 2023? Chris Pratt as Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.” The film debuts from Marvel Studios and director James Gunn on May 5, 2023.

In January 2022 Gunn told Deadline, “This is the end for us, the last time people will see this team of Guardians.” The knowledge that “Vol. 3” will be the finale for these characters makes Pratt’s appearance all the more anticipatory. The film will mark his seventh time playing Star-Lord in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since his debut in 2014.

Beyond movies, Pratt has also brought Star-Lord to life in Disney theme parks coast to coast. Pratt appeared as the character in “Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission – Breakout!” at Disney California Adventure and “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” at Epcot. Pratt is among the select few actors — if perhaps the only actor — to have roles in attractions at not only Disney parks on both American coasts, but also at Universal parks on both American coasts. He reprised his “Jurassic World” character, Owen Grady, for new footage filmed for “Jurassic World: The Ride” at Universal Studios Hollywood in California and “Jurassic World VelociCoaster” at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida.