The year of the ‘lega-sequel’: What ‘Gladiator II’ and ‘Twisters’ say about Hollywood

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As a cinephile who has witnessed the evolution of cinema since the days of VHS tapes and Betamax, I must say that the recent trend of reviving old classics is both intriguing and slightly disheartening. On one hand, it’s a delight to see familiar faces reprise their roles in long-awaited sequels, but on the other, it feels like Hollywood is running out of original ideas.

For 24 years, Ridley Scott’s portrayal of the ruthless Colosseum in Rome has been captivating audiences. It’s now been 28 years since we joined Helen Hunt in the chase of an F5 tornado. And it was 36 years ago that we dared to utter a particular bio-exorcist’s name three times.

This year, each of the three properties is returning to cinemas with sequels, rekindling interest. These long-awaited sequels, also known as “legacy sequels” or “lega-sequels,” are playing a significant role in revitalizing a box office that’s still recuperating from pandemic effects and a lack of major releases due to recent Hollywood strikes.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I ponder over the intriguing question of why filmmakers decide to expand stories that seem to have reached their end. The appeal lies in the nostalgia factor; bringing back familiar faces who once breathed life into our favorite roles can create an incredible buzz at the box office. Moreover, continuing a well-received narrative carries less risk and allows for further exploration of characters and storylines we’ve grown to love.

Amanda Ann Klein, a professor of film studies at East Carolina University, stated, ‘It’s simply a convenient method, and it’s not necessarily negative.’ She explained that retelling familiar narratives can be an effective means of sifting through all the available material.

Scott’s “Gladiator II” from Paramount Pictures marks the long-awaited return of a sequel after several decades. According to predictions by Box Office Theory, the film is expected to have a strong debut weekend, potentially earning around $66 million. The movie will be released on November 22, coinciding with the much-anticipated premiere of “Wicked.

Based on the box-office performance of its legal sequels, “Gladiator II” might well be headed for another successful run at the cinema.

This summer’s “Twisters,” produced by Universal Pictures, earned approximately $371 million globally, making it the sixth highest-grossing domestic film of the year thus far, as reported by Box Office Mojo. Interestingly, despite not featuring key original cast members like Hunt or Bill Paxton, there are nods to the original “Twister.” Instead, the film is headlined by emerging talents Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

During the autumn season, Tim Burton’s movie “Beetlejuice” made a spooky comeback from its resting place, raking in nearly $451 million globally. It placed fourth in this year’s domestic box office earnings. The film picked up the narrative of Winona Ryder’s character Lydia Deetz, now grown, and brought Michael Keaton back to reprise his iconic role as Beetlejuice.

As a cinephile, I’ve noticed that the prominent presence of certain actors on Netflix, like Millie Bobby Brown in “Stranger Things” and Jenna Ortega in “Wednesday,” has undeniably contributed to the allure of these movies for younger audiences.

It’s advantageous for production studios to reintroduce popular movies because these established stories have previously resonated with viewers. In essence, films derived from video games, comics, or literature already have an established fanbase.

finding ways to exploit an existing Intellectual Property (IP) in such a way that it appeals to both established and emerging audiences, all while navigating a cautious landscape, and delving into genres with minimal risk.

Then, in the new film, you tap into what audiences remember fondly and show off.

1) The lifelike appearance of tornadoes in “Twister” was due to its impressive special effects.

It’s nice for viewers to recognize familiar actors on screen, such as Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick” from 2022, who revisited his character after a 36-year break, or Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in “Bad Boys for Life” from 2020, which was released 17 years following the conclusion of their previous series.

However, assembling the appropriate team for a project can sometimes prove challenging, which might explain why certain film series are released years or even decades after their predecessors.

David A. Gross, editor of FranchiseRe movie newsletter, stated, ‘These classic film series should return to the big screen.’ He emphasized that it depends on key factors like the director and main actor. He explained that there are numerous significant components that need to be assembled carefully, and if any one piece is missing, the whole project has to be delayed.

A significant gap between movies in a series doesn’t necessarily affect audience interest. According to Gross, if a sequel is released within four years of the last one, its opening weekend earnings are likely to be 17% lower than the previous film. However, when the sequel is delayed beyond four years, it usually opens with a 19% decrease in earnings compared to the prior movie. Gross considers this minor difference, suggesting that movies don’t have to be intentionally delayed or rushed before they are ready for release.

Also, a successful prior film doesn’t always guarantee a win for a long-returning sequel.

35 years after his first appearance as a replicant hunter, Harrison Ford returned to the big screen in “Blade Runner 2049”, but unfortunately, it did not fare well financially. On the other hand, “Coming 2 America” featuring Eddie Murphy, which arrived in 2021, 33 years after the original movie, reunited many of its original cast members. However, due to the impact of the pandemic on movie theaters, it was exclusively available for streaming audiences on Prime Video instead of a traditional cinema release, with some critics noting that it struggled to escape the long shadow of its predecessor. (As previously stated by former Times film critic Justin Chang.)

The evidence suggests that well-known film titles hold significant power in today’s competitive movie market. With superhero movies no longer being guaranteed hits, there has been a decrease in the production of mid-range films, priced around $50 million to $100 million.

In the world of competition for people’s attention, as Perren explained, anything that helps you stand out is valuable. It can be quite challenging to make an impact.

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2024-11-14 14:33