Leo Gillick
Every day, another movie comes out, without a conclusive end, and with the promise of endless sequels and spin-offs. Films no longer seem to be able to stand alone as a single piece of media. Everything needs to be a ‘universe’ and an expandable franchise. Movies feel more like TV series every day.
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With the upcoming Harry Potter TV show, we are yet again faced with a story being milked for every penny it is worth. The films were enough, and they’ve collectively grossed $9.6 billion, including the already excessive Fantastic Beasts spin-offs.
But, they can’t let it die. Instead, yet more money is going to be squeezed from the frankly mediocre early 2000s books. But this, along with many other examples, such as Star Wars, is indicative of the risk-avoidant, unimaginative nature of the industry.
Why isn’t anyone telling any new stories? Where is this generation’s Star Wars, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings? When will studios be happy to release a single, stand-alone, non-franchised film again?
Risk Averse Money Men
Pumping hundreds of millions of dollars is a risk for investors. If a movie flops, there is little way to pull the money back. And, sadly, modern-day patrons of the arts don’t do it for the same reasons the Medichis did. They do it for profit and untaxable income.
So, instead, the only thing that’s a surefire winner is an existing IP with a mindless, obsessed fanbase. Star Wars fans will get to see every new addition to the hyperdiluted franchise. Potter fans will do the same. They don’t care if it’s good.
Rather than take a risk on a flop, the same old stories are simply expanded on.
Faith in Familiarity
With attention spans as short as ours are now, people like to know that what they’re about to watch is going to be worth the 90-minute time dedicated to it. Because of this, familiarity wins every time. Paying to see a Marvel movie is going to provide the forgettable rollercoaster experience it always does. John Wick is going to be reliably stylish and violent.
Audiences are more likely to head to a book or movie franchise they already know. It’s laziness on the part of the audience, and also on the part of the storyteller. Rather than risk a whole new storyline, ideas are simply shoehorned into characters and universes people already feel comfortable with.
Sink Into Obscurity
There are a phenomenal number of sequels and universe spin-offs out there, but they’re not everything. Despite my gripes, thousands of new stories with no plans for expansion come out every year.
It often feels as though everything is part of a franchise because that’s what’s pushed to the forefront. Pixar, Marvel, and Disney all take the limelight, leaving some of the more risky, original ideas in the background.
As with every art, I guess, to find something truly original and great, a little searching is needed. Taking a risk on a new story, a new director, or a new studio could be dreadful. But it could change your life. Long live the original storyteller.
