The Remakes Era

[djheadd]

Are the studios lacking of true creative talents or just betting on succesful old ideas? Anywhere you look around, from TV Series to Movies, the word is: Remake. What do you think?

[Lord_Stewie]

Remake it is.

[vegeta88]

I think remakes are considered "safe" in terms of making money. Plenty of people will recognize the name and may be more likely to see that film. It also might be cheaper to remake or adapt a story rather than come up with an original. Just my thoughts.

[BRu-LAy]

Originally Posted by vegeta88

I think remakes are considered "safe" in terms of making money. Plenty of people will recognize the name and may be more likely to see that film. It also might be cheaper to remake or adapt a story rather than come up with an original. Just my thoughts.

+ 1

As movies and tv shows get more costly to make, there less room for risk if it flops. So, in order to "play it safe", studio rely on remakes and sequels.

[moothemagiccow]

I wouldn't blame the economy; this has been going on for years. I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be to get the rights to existing intellectual property versus hiring a poor screenwriter with an original idea.

I just figure it's what everyone says: it's a safe bet someone will pay to see a familiar title, and the movie business is a business. And think about all the clueless relatives who'll buy you that new Scooby Doo dvd because you liked the show when you were 5.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by moothemagiccow

I wouldn't blame the economy; this has been going on for years. I'm not sure how much cheaper it would be to get the rights to existing intellectual property versus hiring a poor screenwriter with an original idea.

I just figure it's what everyone says: it's a safe bet someone will pay to see a familiar title, and the movie business is a business. And think about all the clueless relatives who'll buy you that new Scooby Doo dvd because you liked the show when you were 5.

I agree with most of what you said, but there is no possible way to argue that the economy does not and has not had an effect on the types of movies made. Of course it does. It is inextricably linked with the creation of films with built-in fanbase.

[Septimus Prime]

I think it has to do with a new generation (my generation) growing up and entering/rising up through creative industries. Being so young, many of us have never experienced the original versions (or earlier remakes) of these things, so it's easy and safe to present something like this to us—who now have jobs and money—as "new."

I imagine it this way: a young, rising star executive coincidentally watches an old movie or plays an old video game and thinks it's great. He then wants to share his experience with his peers but wants to throw in his own slant and "improvements," since he is in the position to do so profitably.

I think this is also the reason we are seeing revivals and sequels for IPs that have been dormant for decades.

[Afrobean]

Remakes, sequels and adaptations are nothing new.

They've been remaking old movies, needlessly sequelizing, and adapting books and such into films for ever. Even classic films remembered as greats fall under this category.

The reason they're popular now is the same reason they've always been. It has little to do with the economic situation; Hollywood has always been working toward the easiest buck, and this often includes reusing ideas, and borrowing ideas from other media.

The only difference is that comic book adaptations of the past were never too successful. Superman the Movie showed it was possible, and 1989's Batman elaborated further, but it took the concept "dying" with Batman & Robin and to be reborn to greatness with the likes of X-men, Spider-man, and Batman Begins. Now comic movies are made with the same zeal as novel adaptations, remakes and sequels. Video game and TV show adaptations still have a way to go though.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Afrobean

Remakes, sequels and adaptations are nothing new.

They've been remaking old movies, needlessly sequelizing, and adapting books and such into films for ever. Even classic films remembered as greats fall under this category.

The reason they're popular now is the same reason they've always been. It has little to do with the economic situation; Hollywood has always been working toward the easiest buck, and this often includes reusing ideas, and borrowing ideas from other media.

The only difference is that comic book adaptations of the past were never too successful. Superman the Movie showed it was possible, and 1989's Batman elaborated further, but it took the concept "dying" with Batman & Robin and to be reborn to greatness with the likes of X-men, Spider-man, and Batman Begins. Now comic movies are made with the same zeal as novel adaptations, remakes and sequels. Video game and TV show adaptations still have a way to go though.

It is absolutely baffling how you and moo can claim that the economy has little to do with the current state of movies. Why are less films released each year? The economy (as STATED by Hollywood execs). If less movies are released, they need these movies to do well. So, what to do? Release sequels, remakes, adaptations, etc., because at the very least the built-in fanbase will go see it. The economy has an effect on EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. To say otherwise is ludicrous.

[Sponge-worthy]

Originally Posted by djheadd

Are the studios lacking of true creative talents or just betting on succesful old ideas? Anywhere you look around, from TV Series to Movies, the word is: Remake. What do you think?

Both.

[Rblu-Dblu]

I dont think the studios are lacking creative talent, they're just not utilizing it. In a bad economy they're trying to stick to things that they know are money makers. Studios are unwilling to take chances right now.

[jhiggy23]

Originally Posted by Rblu-Dblu

I dont think the studios are lacking creative talent, they're just not utilizing it. In a bad economy they're trying to stick to things that they know are money makers. Studios are unwilling to take chances right now.

Exactly.

[OrlandoEastwood]

This thread is epic. I will remake this thread in another three weeks.

[Show spoiler]See how unoriginal my posts have gotten.

[RockChalk]

I personally hate re makes if 1 of 2 things are the case,

1. The movies is less than 25 years old

And. 2. If the movie is an all time great, people should just go watch the original!

[scorsetinogilliam]

Originally Posted by djheadd

Are the studios lacking of true creative talents or just betting on succesful old ideas? Anywhere you look around, from TV Series to Movies, the word is: Remake. What do you think?

i think this has been going on since the beginning of movies and plays for that matter, from day one Shakespeare's plays were re done, re-imagined, modernized...you name it
studios began remaking movies almost instantly in the 30's. it's always been a part of the system...not saying that i like it, i just don't know if it's necessarily that much worse now. do i think in hollywood there is a stunning lack of creativity and a shitty group of lazy filmmakers? **** yes. but, as i said, i just don't know if it's any worse, or just a bad little period where it's all happening at once