Creating a successful movie franchise (multi-part brand) is not an easy feat, and many people may not realize that it requires substantial effort. However, the trend of making movies “that make money” based on popular franchises has become increasingly common, especially in Hollywood. In fact, the data shows that the most effective way to “cash in” is clear – in the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2015, 8 titles belong to a franchise. While there are many avid fans who criticize this “lack of creativity,” as long as studios continue to fill their pockets, it’s certain that these fans will remain “passive.”
For a franchise, the next installment can be presented in various formats, such as: sequel, prequel, crossover, reboot, remake, and spinoff.
The precise definitions of these concepts are not always straightforward, especially when traditional media often uses them loosely, sometimes … overlapping. The list below will help “movie lovers” better understand the different types within a franchise and clarify “what’s what” before diving into the details.
1. Sequel
A sequel is the most common way to develop a Hollywood franchise. Its precise definition is a continuation of the previous film – for example, “Jaws 2” (1978) continues the story of “Jaws” (1975), while “Back to the Future Part II” (1989) continues the timeline of “Back to the Future” (1985). You might encounter familiar (or all) actors reprising their roles from the previous film, and typically, sequels will share creative elements with the preceding installment.
In some cases, a sequel can shift slightly in genre compared to the original. For instance, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991) is more of an action film than its predecessor, which belongs to the sci-fi/thriller genre – “The Terminator” (1984).
2. Prequel
While a sequel’s plot occurs immediately after the original film to continue the story, a prequel unfolds before the original film to develop the backstory. This term is closely associated with the “Star Wars Prequel Trilogy,” which includes three films released from 1999-2005 that narrate events happening years before the original “Star Wars Trilogy” (1977-1983), providing context for the iconic characters in this series. Similarly, the events in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984) occur one year before “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981).
One significant challenge for prequels is that audiences already know the ultimate outcomes of the characters, so producers must find a way to ensure that the plot remains engaging and draws viewers in uniquely. Additionally, the actors must often portray younger versions of their characters, which can be a tricky endeavor, as seen with actor Anthony Hopkins in “Red Dragon” (2002) versus “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991).
3. Crossover
A film can serve as a sequel to two or more other films. Studios do this to combine beloved characters from various franchises. The first crossover film was “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943) from Universal Studios. This was followed by “House of Frankenstein” (1944) – adding another monster, Dracula, and then “House of Dracula” (1945), with “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) achieving notable success.
The crossover genre has become a “box office bomb” for Hollywood, exemplified by the massive success of “The Avengers” (2012), a film that unites all Marvel superheroes, helping the Marvel Cinematic Universe become the highest-grossing film series of all time.
4. Reboot
A reboot occurs when a studio decides to create a completely new version of an existing film, restarting the narrative with a fresh perspective while retaining the original concept but without any connections to the earlier versions. Each adaptation in the current version erases the original. “Batman Begins” (2005) is a reboot of “Batman” (1989) – despite using similar characters and settings, the storyline unfolds in a completely different context. “Ghostbusters” (2016) is also a reboot of “Ghostbusters” (1984) set in a world that the original version had never encountered.
The key distinction between a reboot and a sequel or spinoff is that it exists in a parallel universe, with a similar concept but entirely different execution.
5. Remake
From various perspectives, the concepts of remake and reboot are often considered similar. Both denote a new version of an original film. However, “reboot” is typically used for franchises, while “remake” refers to standalone films. For instance, “Scarface” (1983) is a remake of “Scarface” (1932), and “The Departed” (2006) is a remake of the Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs” (2002).
Sometimes, remakes can evolve into franchises. This is exemplified by “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) – a remake of “Ocean’s 11” (1960), which became so successful that it spawned two additional sequels: “Ocean’s Twelve” (2004) and “Ocean’s Thirteen” (2007).
6. Spinoff
In a film, it’s not always the main character that audiences love the most; often, a supporting character may stand out. When this happens, studios can shift to developing a franchise if they feel it can yield more profit. Thus, this supporting character can become the lead in their own film – a spinoff.
For example, Puss in Boots is a notable character in “Shrek 2” (2004) and later received his own film in 2011. This is considered a spinoff because the main characters from the “Shrek” franchise do not appear, focusing instead on Puss in Boots. A spinoff can also be a sequel or prequel to the original film, depending on the timeframe in which the story takes place.
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