Paramount tried a few approaches in the new Terminator reboot.
But if a franchise hits the doldrums, how can a studio resurrect it?
But even if a new film gets greenlit, its clear that things have to change again.
So what can be done?
Ideally the best approach is to bring in brilliant writers and directors, and trust them.
But that idea rarely makes it to the top of the pile.
Starting with…
The Reboot
The obvious first choice for a Hollywood studio.
A reboot simply allows the studio to concrete over everything that happened before, and press ahead.
007 has succeeded in this approach more often than its failed.
You dont have to look far for where the approach hasnt worked as well, though.
Sonys decision to reboot Spider-Man after Sam RaimisSpider-Man 4fell apart led to a pair ofThe Amazing Spider-Manmovies.
Thats the problem with the reboot.
That said, the poster child for the reboot is Christopher Nolan.
When a reboot works, it really can change the dynamic dramatically, and very much for the better.
At least as a business move.
Mark Wahlberg seamlessly wandered into the noise of Michael BaysTransformersfilms without anyone really noticing.
Less successful was a film where some character work was required.
Granted, the prequel excuse was cited, and there was a six-year gap.
Still, the attempt to press ahead this way failed miserably.
So you getCasino RoyaleorX-Men: First Classwhen all goes swimmingly.
At worst, you get a cynical attempt to change faces and hope nobody minds.
Thats the aforementioned Flintstones movieViva Rock Vegasfor you.
Then, of course, there are the two most recent prequel trilogies.
As business decisions, however, they both very much worked.
But television has had healing powers of varying strengths for other properties too.
The problem here is that television is a complicated remedy.
Once something has moved to TV in some form, is there a way back?
Especially when studios are still keen to keep the two separate.
Face It Out.
What can you do?
Ah, bugger it.
Why not just carry on?
The X-Men movie series has had two real blips in its boxset of films.
A further Wolverine movie was made, and another is on the way.
It doesnt have too many fans, but Fox just kept going regardless.
Two years after its release, he described the film as crap toEmpire.
Admit there was a problem, and just get cracking.
Or at least builds you up enough currency to have another go.
Witness the six years between the poorly-receivedTerminator: Salvationand the poorly-receivedTerminator Genisys.
The 11 years betweenScream 3andScream 4.
The eight years that passed betweenBatman & RobinandBatman Begins.
The 16 years that sat between Roland EmmerichsGodzillaand Gareth Edwards take on the character.
As if a movie version of Choose Your Own Adventure were being set up.
To be fair, theres logic to this approach, and we kind of admire it.
Furthermore, a universe allows a softer way to reintroduce a character, and in turn resurrect film franchises.
Expect to see more of this approach too, especially with lots ofmovie universes currently in the works.
Give Up
Sometimes, youre just shit out of options.
You wont be seeingR.I.P.D.
2,Super Mario Bros 2,Catwoman 2,Elektra 2,Speed 3orXanadu 2anytime soon, friends…
