One of the mysteries of the film world is that you never know what is coming next. Oh, there is some certainty about what is coming out in the next few weeks and some titles are known even a year in advance. But beyond that, it is a blank canvas, anybody's guess, with rumours abounding but few guarantees.

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It helps if a film is at least in production and, preferably, on location. But even that is no guarantee that it will ever see the light of day, let alone get a big release.

Yet, time will pass and new films will come out. History will be writ.

So it is always fascinating to look ahead, to see what is definitely in the pipeline and what just might be in a few months time.

For now, here are the films that will definitely be making the headlines, followed by a few titles that look distinctly promising.

Some films may not be obviously "British" but have considerable British talent involved, in front of and/or behind the camera.

January 9 ***Defiance, showing Daniel Craig can more than punch his own weight as a WW2 partisan leader. *** Slumdog Millionaire...  more

Yes, it�s Trainspotting time all over again. Or maybe make that Clockwork Orange time.   more

A classic in the making? 'The Young Victoria' has the pedigree and soon the waiting will be over. It is never certain how a film will play out but the waiting will be...  more

Beware! There is a shrewd impersonator about. Clever Michael Sheen will soon be back in action, this time in The Damned...  more

Fans of the 1951 version of this story may not be happy to see John Cleese added to the...  more