In 1960, Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO was released. It more than tripled it's budget and went on to be considered by many to be one of the greatest horror films ever made. 23 years later, the long-awaited PSYCHO II was released. While, of course, it was not as good as the first film, it received generally favorable reviews and made enough money to get another sequel made. PSYCHO III was released in 1986 to generally mixed reviews and a less than great box-office. It was the last theatrically released film in the main series. In 1987, the television movie BATES MOTEL premiered on NBC. Intending to start an anthology TV series, the show never took off and was forgotten by most. Now it can only be found on boot-leg copies, and there are some clips on YouTube. In 1990, the main series was continued in the television movie PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING. Mainly a prequel detailing Norman's descent into madness, it was intended to be the beginning of a series of direct to TV films continuing the main series. PSYCHO V, with Norman's (spoiler alert!) son as the killer, was planned, but like the 1987 pilot, the series never took off. The franchise lay dormant for eight years until the remake of the original PSYCHO was released. A near shot for shot remake, it was a critical and commercial failure, and the franchise has been dead ever since. Until now.
The PSYCHO franchise is being revived with A&E's new series, BATES MOTEL, set to premiere on March 18th. The show is a reboot, taking place in modern times and showing Norman Bates as a teenager. I am a huge fan of the PSYCHO franchise, and cannot wait for this show. I am very glad they are rebooting it and taking it in a new direction. But I am also wondering: if this show gets popular enough, could it lead to a new series of PSYCHO films?
Now, don't get me wrong, I don't expect this show to become WALKING DEAD popular or anything. But one of A&E's shows, THE GLADES, has lasted for 3 seasons with a fourth coming this summer. If BATES MOTEL lasts that long, could the film studios try to use that popularity to create a new series of PSYCHO films?
Personally, I think that would be great. However, they have to do it right. From what I have seen, I am assuming that the entire series is going to show Norman as teenager. So, I think if they do do a new film, they shouldn't reboot again, just have the movie be a remake and take place after the end of the series.
Now, before you say "They made a remake in '98 and it sucked!", let me explain. It should not be a remake of the 1960 film necessarily, but more of a re-adaptation of the original Robert Bloch novel. For example, in the novel, Norman is a much more sick and twisted man than in the movie. He was more sympathetic. If they do do a remake, they should make him more evil and unsympathetic, like Hannibal Lecter. This is just one of the things I think they should do, but I don't want to speculate any more before I see some episodes of the series.
What do you guys think about BATES MOTEL? Do you want to see more PSYCHO films? Sound off below, and remember to catch BATES MOTEL on A&E, March 18th!