“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again…”
This mantra can be traced back to the 18th century as encouragement to get students to do their schoolwork. It seems this can apply to Hollywood present day. More specifically, the superhero movie.
Apparently, unlike other types of adaptations, comic book films are ripe for redo. Just look at the medium itself, and how long and varied any single property can be. Constant reinvention can keep a Wonder Woman or Fantastic Four running for 60+ years. This is how they survive.
Movies are not much different. These days, Hollywood seems to have a warped variation of the same idea. To cover money struggles, they fall back to the familiar. That means sequels, remakes and reboots. What’s interesting is Comic book movies have somehow slipped into an odd area where they can sometimes be a mash-up of these two approaches.
For studios, if an effort isn’t a home run, the answer is as simple as doing it over. But what’s fascinating about this, is often this reboot is disguised as a sequel. Or the sequel is disguised as a reboot. Sometimes it’s hard to tell. But one thing’s for sure, the studios always seem to want it both ways.
But can you have your cake and eat it too? Let’s take a look at the weird hybrid that is the “requel” or “sequel-boot”
BATMAN FOREVER from Batman Returns
SEQUEL? New helmer Joel Schumacher actually opted for a Year One-type prequel, but WB insisted on a follow-up sequel. It retains familiar actors like Alfred and Jim Gordon. ‘Black vinyl and whip’ is a reference to Batman Returns’ Catwoman.
REBOOT? A completely lighter tone and totally revamped world that is nothing like what was established by Tim Burton. An all-new lead actor as Batman. This one starts over, addressing Bruce Wayne’s past in a way the previous movies never did.
DID IT WORK? Yes. The sequel-boot went on to be highest opening weekend at the time. It spawned a follow-up (back when that meant something) and many fans and families seemed to enjoy it, especially Jim Carrey’s stand-out Riddler. Except for me. I quite disliked this film. But it looks like "The Empire Strikes Back" compared to its followup "Batman and Robin", though.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK from Hulk
SEQUEL? Loosely written as a sequel by Zak Penn- rewrites were made, but some original elements remain, such as The Abomination as the villain, hiding in South America, and even the film’s title. The film’s pacing also plays like a sequel, as the main characters already know each other.
REBOOT? New cast. The backstory is altered somewhat. Tonally, its more kinetic and stronger influenced by the TV show of the same name. The entire cast is new.
DID IT WORK? It did modest business. Fans certainly enjoyed this more action-heavy take on the character, but it could have stood to have some of Ang Lee’s style (the comic-panels) and better characterization. A mix of Lee’s seriousness, and Louis Leterrier’s excitement would have made the perfect Hulk film. As it stands, this one fares about the same for me as the other- no better or worse.
PUNISHER: WARZONE from The Punisher
SEQUEL? No origin story, as Frank Castle has been the Punisher for about 5 years already in this film. It retains the early sequel draft aspects like the villain Jigsaw and the title Warzone (which was Punisher 2: Warzone, after almost being Punisher: Welcome Back Frank)
REBOOT? Unbelievably more violent than the prior film, with a darker tone. The Punisher is a new actor, with a completely altered wardrobe. No acknowledgement of anything from the 2004 film at all.
DID IT WORK? No. A critical and commercial failure, the movie is seen as yet another black mark in the history of superhero movies. A small few have enjoyed its over-the-top violence, including myself, since it's closer to the comics.
SUPERMAN RETURNS from SUPERMAN II
SEQUEL? Superman is already established for metropolis. A main plot point revolves around the aftermath of his night with Lois at the fortress of solitude in Superman II. John Williams’ iconic score is directly lifted. Painstaking effort to bring Marlon Brando’s Jor-El back to the screen.
REBOOT? All new cast. Noticeably young-ish Superman and Lois, in hopes of longevity for the future. The first Donner films this is based off, use a straight-forward NYC-esque metropolis. Singer’s world of metropolis is a romanticized mix of modern day and golden era period. Clark’s costume is revamped.
DID IT WORK? No. The movie made a lot of money- it was the first Superman in a million years, who wasn’t going to see it? But many didn’t like what they saw. The film was too nostalgic, and oddly, lacked action. There’s a lot to admire about the ambition and scope, but the movie is held down by a bad script and many miscast actors. Case in point: WB is remaking it again as we speak.
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS from X3 The Last Stand
SEQUEL? *scratch* PREQUEL, actually, but the idea still applies. The cameos from Wolverine and Mystique (using the same actors!). The conspicuous absence of series regulars like Scott and Jean because their ages don’t line up with the timeline. A direct recreation of Magneto’s young Nazi scene from X-Men.
REBOOT? A complete change of Xavier’s character. Many altered continuities from the origin we all know, like Beast creating Cerebro, a different first class, and Charles and Mystique as BFFs. Things get more muddled if you try connecting Origins: Wolverine, but I don’t because that film is dead to me.
DID IT WORK? Sort of. A polarizing adaptation that has fans split. Some find this to be the most enjoyable X-film in ages, and even arguably the best. Others found the changes unnecessary, and even blasphemous in some degrees. Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle.
What does this mean for comics-to-film? Who knows? The results seem to vary, depending on who you ask. GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE will be the next iteration to fall in line with the sequel-boot approach. If Warner Bros. moves forward with another Green Lantern, chances are this is the approach they will take, as well.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, however should be a full on reboot, unless references to Sam Raimi’s films are found. Those were very popular after all, and the choice of Lizard for villain is something Sony has been wanting to do in a sequel for a while. Time will tell, but for now whenever you hear about a Superhero reboot (Daredevil, Fantastic Four, and Blade are all rumored), be wary. The track record for this idea hasn’t been stellar, and studios still seem to want to connect these movies to the past ones.