Hollywood's 2016 Sequel Problem

[-JKR-]

As far as I know, The Nice Guys was initially envisioned as a feature film. After they couldn't secure financing Shane Black shopped it around as a TV series (despite not being completely happy with the format), and then it became a film once again.

 

[MadVillainy]

such a good movie...

 

[Doctor Jones]

well as I said I dont care much. I just want a movie to be good. I dont see why people care if something is original or a reboot. And I think there are a good number of original mid level movies released throughout the year. The problem is they aren't very good. If we wanna talk about that then that's something. An original movie can suck just as easily.
Because honestly, even if a movie is "original" it follows the same tropes used in countless movies. So how "original" is it really?
And not you, but as has been said in this thread, a lot of the people complaining about the lack of originality aren't paying to see original films, which undercuts their whole argument imo.

I agree with that. I'm not saying on principle an original movie is going to automatically be better. Those are never my arguments when I criticize the lack of original content. Look at Tomorrowland. What a tragedy. I blame Bird for that. It's bad enough there's less original movies coming out, but it's worse when they're finally here they suck. But on the flipside when something like The Nice Guys comes out and flops, that's bad for all good original films and lessens their chances. You can blame the release date of the film, but shouldn't there be a variety of films released in the same month where people shouldn't worry about the much bigger films eating up the smaller films business? It says a lot about the proportionate amount of films coming out in a month like May.

Have some blockbusters sure, but I don't want three coming out every weekend. I don't care how good they are at this point, I want there to be an equal amount of original content and blockbusters of high quality where there's something for everyone. Unfortunately, the blockbusters are eating up the money being spent for studio films and investors are more interested in bigger returns, and it can keep growing.

And studios aren't helping themselves by catering to the nostalgic 25-35 demographic by dragging out old franchises from the 80's and 90's and giving them a fresh coat of paint. I've been saying this for year kids of today need their own franchises to grow up with, but the problem is Hollywood has failed to invest in new priorities, as a result kids viewing habits are completely different thanks in part to that lack of foresight. Youtubers like Pewdiepie and Markiplliar have subscriber bases that are mostly people under the age of 16, that's where that demographic is headed - online.

I've been thinking this for the past year too. Kids today are not growing up with new high quality works to get them inspired and motivate them to create new stories for the next generation of young people. They're watching the same exact things we and previous generations watched but now multiplied. Stuff like SW and superheroes are timeless, but there can't only be those.

However, if the year was littered with blockbusters all at the level of Raiders Of The Lost Ark, ET, Star Wars, The Dark Knight and Mad Max:Fury Road, I'd still want to watch something different at times. It's good for the art form to have different types of stories.

My point exactly.

 

[terry78]

Blockbusters tend to cannibalize each other in summer, unless you have like that one or two that do insanely well. So far it's only been Civil War.

 

[Doctor Jones]

And it's pretty much proving the validity of the Marvel method.

 

[MadVillainy]

Blockbusters tend to cannibalize each other in summer, unless you have like that one or two that do insanely well. So far it's only been Civil War.

yeah they really should spread them out.

I really dont get why they dont. I guess because people are more likely to spend money in summer, thanksgiving, or late December. Also I guess kids are out on break/people are on vacation and can go to more screenings throughout the day.

But yeah this summer season is pretty underwhelming. Not even from what I seen but my hype level. Usually I have a summer watchlist of about 15 movies. This year it's 10. And I think so far every movie I was hyped for left me disappointed except for The Nice Guys

2016 just seems like a weak year to me.

 

[Tilapia]

And studios aren't helping themselves by catering to the nostalgic 25-35 demographic by dragging out old franchises from the 80's and 90's and giving them a fresh coat of paint. I've been saying this for year kids of today need their own franchises to grow up with, but the problem is Hollywood has failed to invest in new priorities, as a result kids viewing habits are completely different thanks in part to that lack of foresight. Youtubers like Pewdiepie and Markiplliar have subscriber bases that are mostly people under the age of 16, that's where that demographic is headed - online.

Then take YouTube to the big screen. How can you do it? Is it because the movies give you that family bonding time that online doesn't? It was always a parent, older brother, or family taking me when I was a kid until I was old enough to go with my friends. It was a sort of social experience.

I don't think YouTube can recreate that family experience that a movie used to be. I just guess the parents need to be more involved of the content their kids consume, and Hollywood needs to invest in big budget films there, instead of catering to the older crowd.

yeah they really should spread them out.

I really dont get why they dont. I guess because people are more likely to spend money in summer, thanksgiving, or late December. Also I guess kids are out on break/people are on vacation and can go to more screenings throughout the day.

But yeah this summer season is pretty underwhelming. Not even from what I seen but my hype level. Usually I have a summer watchlist of about 15 movies. This year it's 10. And I think so far every movie I was hyped for left me disappointed except for The Nice Guys

2016 just seems like a weak year to me.

2016 was not weak by any means. Major comic book films, all different and unique (didn't help that most of them were bad). Had some unexpected hits like Jungle Book and Zootopia in there. It seems the thrillers and the second tier films were garbage if anything. Even getting sequels in that department now, London Has Fallen. Now You See Me 2. The originals were already crappy films to begin with. In that regard, weak on depth, but in terms of brands and star power, not really.

 

[MadVillainy]

2016 was not weak by any means. Major comic book films, all different and unique (didn't help that most of them were bad). Had some unexpected hits like Jungle Book and Zootopia in there. It seems the thrillers and the second tier films were garbage if anything. Even getting sequels in that department now, London Has Fallen. Now You See Me 2. The originals were already crappy films to begin with. In that regard, weak on depth, but in terms of brands and star power, not really.

weak year to me

 

[Tilapia]

weak year to me

Okay, guess you don't watch too many superhero movies despite having an account on here.

 

[MadVillainy]

I do watch superhero films, I dont know what you were trying to do with saying that. And I said they disappointed me so far this year.

 

[Tilapia]

Well most of us can agree on that point. It doesn't change the fact that 2016 was probably the most hyped year on record from a genre standpoint. Not even debateable. We can't look at these numbers now and play revisionist history. We have just had a steady decline following Nolan's TDK and Marvel's Avengers. I thought the genre was petering out for a long time now, but I never imagine we'd be falling off a cliff like we have in 2016 given where expectations were.

 

[MadVillainy]

What are you trying to debate? I dont get what you are trying to do.

I'm saying this year is a weak year to me. Me, myself, and I. No one else's hype level has anything to me. I even said "my hype level in the earlier post. I said that I have a list of 10 movies instead of the usual 15. I said that the year has been weak to me. So I dont understand why bringing up other's people hype and opinions when talking about my own personal level of excitement with movies

If I was saying "no one is hyped for movies/no is excited about ______" then what you are doing would make sense. But it doesnt in this case.

 

[Tilapia]

What are you trying to debate? I dont get what you are trying to do.

I'm saying this year is a weak year to me. Me, myself, and I. No one else's hype level has anything to me. I even said "my hype level in the earlier post. I said that I have a list of 10 movies instead of the usual 15. I said that the year has been weak to me. So I dont understand why bringing up other's people hype and opinions when talking about my own personal level of excitement with movies

If I was saying "no one is hyped for movies/no is excited about ______" then what you are doing would make sense. But it doesnt in this case.

No debate. You just decided to make it a personal rant.

What we shouldn't be debating and what I was trying to add, is that this should have been a massive year at the box office. Not bigger than 2015 because of Star Wars, but with that exception, bigger in every sense. The fact that people seem to be doing everything but going to a theater a mere year later doesn't add up... To me

 

[MadVillainy]

I wasn't ranting. I was replying to you implying that I was wrong by saying this year is disappointing to me personally. Which is just silly. And I told you why that's silly.

If youre going to make a point in reply to something, you gotta be able to back it up. Which in this case you couldnt.

 

[Tilapia]

I wasn't ranting. I was replying to you implying that I was wrong by saying this year is disappointing to me personally. Which is just silly. And I told you why that's silly.

If youre going to make a point in reply to something, you gotta be able to back it up. Which in this case you couldnt.

Nah, think you are just trying to save face on something that was never stated or implied anywhere. Think I've made my point pretty clearly regarding 2016 box office.

 

[MadVillainy]

Ok...

Last post about this because it's going nowhere.

If someone is saying their opinion about how they feel about something regarding their own excitement level, you can't say theyre wrong. If I'm saying I'm not hyped for a movie, nothing you can say can dispute that. Because that's how I feel about the movie. I say "eh I'm not really hyped for this summer movie season" and youre implying I'm wrong. And that just doesnt make sense.

I never even mentioned the 2016 box office. I spoke about my own personal hype level. I honestly think youre trolling.

But do you.

 

[Tilapia]

But do you.

Nope.

But if we gauged Hype levels pre-2016 and assuming you've been consistent all along, you would definitely be in the minority.

 

[spider-neil]

3 of my top 10 movies of all time are sequels (T2, Aliens and Empire Strikes Back).
All 5 of my top 5 superhero movies of all time are sequels (TDK, X:FC, SM2, CW, WS).

Sequels aren't a problem (if the quality is there). The problem is when Hollywood ONLY releases sequels.

Wouldn't Hollywood be better off dropping or postponing a big tent pole sequel that cost $200 (for example) and making 4 smaller original movies for $50 each? One of which may go onto becoming a massive hit.

 

[chamber-music]

Even some indie and low budget films are derivative. Many modern sequels are more like remakes. The sequels retread the same plot of the original films while offering little new elements.

I find myself watching more British films in recent years. Films like 71, ex machina and starred up are great.

 

[TheVileOne]

Then take YouTube to the big screen. How can you do it? Is it because the movies give you that family bonding time that online doesn't? It was always a parent, older brother, or family taking me when I was a kid until I was old enough to go with my friends. It was a sort of social experience.

I don't think YouTube can recreate that family experience that a movie used to be. I just guess the parents need to be more involved of the content their kids consume, and Hollywood needs to invest in big budget films there, instead of catering to the older crowd.



2016 was not weak by any means. Major comic book films, all different and unique (didn't help that most of them were bad). Had some unexpected hits like Jungle Book and Zootopia in there. It seems the thrillers and the second tier films were garbage if anything. Even getting sequels in that department now, London Has Fallen. Now You See Me 2. The originals were already crappy films to begin with. In that regard, weak on depth, but in terms of brands and star power, not really.

I'd hardly call Zootopia and Jungle Book unexpected hits.

Did people really think Zootopia was going to bomb? Disney's animated features have been pretty consistent lately and more consistent than Pixar.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Good to see Conjuring 2 bucking this trend. It goes to show, it's about a good movie.

 

[MadVillainy]

I'd hardly call Zootopia and Jungle Book unexpected hits.

Did people really think Zootopia was going to bomb? Disney's animated features have been pretty consistent lately and more consistent than Pixar.

I'd count them as unexpected hits. Not so much that people thought they'd bomb (I personally didn't think JB would be that good), but I didn't see many people thinking that they would crack a billion or come close.

 

[Vaibow]

I'd hardly call Zootopia and Jungle Book unexpected hits.

Did people really think Zootopia was going to bomb? Disney's animated features have been pretty consistent lately and more consistent than Pixar.

I honestly didn't think Zootopia would make the money it did, mainly because (and i am not being sarcastic or trying to troll here) i don't track the numbers and they aren't on my radar - i did take a couple of kids to see it and i personally didn't like it as i have done others, the kids were 'so so' on it. I know disney has had huge successes recently, but i'm not a film buff and know all the details - with jungle book, i knew it would make money, but the trailer to me, seemed under whelming, for some reason - i also never really liked the cartoon. Where as Beauty and the beast got my interest.
So yeah, it's no surprising zootopia made money, just not the extreme amount it did.

 

[metaphysician]

Eh, I certainly did, and I think the smart money would have been that at least one of the two would approach 1B. The Disney live action remakes have been quite successful, and animated kids films in general are quite successful.

 

[Teelie]

No one, not even Disney, saw Zootopia do the money it did. It was like Deadpool. People expected a modest profit to good numbers but not massive out of the park ones.