People are tired of seeing movies that only set up the next movie.
Movie ticket prices keep going up so audiences do not see as many films per year. Most of the films they do see are huge blockbusters, usually the latest entries in big-budget franchises. While these movies normally don’t carry a lot of emotional weight, they have become more and more unfulfilling because they try to set up multiple sequels instead of focusing on creating a satisfying, self-contained story.
Some of the criticisms directed at the recently-released Alita: Battle Angel commented on the lack of payoff in the film due to the set-up of sequels. This was a common criticism of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as well. In 2016, J.K. Rowling announced that the Fantastic Beasts series would be comprised of five films. So, you know nothing too major will happen to the main characters until at least the fourth or film film which lowers the stakes and makes the film predictable and ultimately unsatisfying. This is exacerbated when you combine that with the knowledge of the characters in the Harry Potter series. Eventually, Dumbledore will defeat Grindelwald in a duel and take control of the Elder Wand, but we will have to wait until 2024 to see that happen in a film.
Some of the criticisms directed at the recently-released Alita: Battle Angel commented on the lack of payoff in the film due to the set-up of sequels. This was a common criticism of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald as well. In 2016, J.K. Rowling announced that the Fantastic Beasts series would be comprised of five films. So, you know nothing too major will happen to the main characters until at least the fourth or film film which lowers the stakes and makes the film predictable and ultimately unsatisfying. This is exacerbated when you combine that with the knowledge of the characters in the Harry Potter series. Eventually, Dumbledore will defeat Grindelwald in a duel and take control of the Elder Wand, but we will have to wait until 2024 to see that happen in a film.
One of my major criticisms of the first Fantastic Beasts film was the fact that Newt hunting down creatures was the main plot of the story while the hunt for Grindelwald was treated as a subplot. It just seems like an excuse to try and make another 135-140 minute film instead of having a 90-100 minute film squarely focused on finding Grindelwald.
Studios have to stop saying how they have a “six-story arc” planned when the first story hasn’t even released so they won’t know if it will be successful or not. 2017’s Power Rangers did exactly this when Lionsgate CEO John Feltheimer said, “We could see doing five or six or seven.” Then the first film bombed and the franchise was scrapped. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 killed its own series by trying to set up a Sinister Six Movie halfway through the film (and it was a terrible movie on its own terms).
The Hobbit film series is the perfect example of franchise fatigue. First of all, a 300 page book did not need to be stretched over eight hours. Thorin and his company must journey to Erebor to reclaim its lost treasure from the dragon Smaug. At the end of the first film, we see Smaug’s eye. After a half-baked fight with Smaug in the second film, we see the dragon flying toward Laketown about to destroy it. After 330 minutes (and two years), the company has not reclaimed their lost treasure nor have they killed the dragon. When they finally kill Smaug in the opening act of the third film, it is thoroughly underwhelming because it is treated as just another plot point instead of a cathartic climax and as an audience, we were tired of waiting.
Studios need to play things more closely to the vest when exploring the possibility of a franchise. Take it one step at a time. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy was not planned to be a trilogy from the start. It was wait-and-see as most franchises should be. John Wick is another perfect example. Have faith in your product, but don’t assume people are going to love it and want a franchise with additional spin-offs that could turn into other franchises because odds are that they won’t.
What are some other film series that flamed out too soon? Comment below!
Studios have to stop saying how they have a “six-story arc” planned when the first story hasn’t even released so they won’t know if it will be successful or not. 2017’s Power Rangers did exactly this when Lionsgate CEO John Feltheimer said, “We could see doing five or six or seven.” Then the first film bombed and the franchise was scrapped. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 killed its own series by trying to set up a Sinister Six Movie halfway through the film (and it was a terrible movie on its own terms).
The Hobbit film series is the perfect example of franchise fatigue. First of all, a 300 page book did not need to be stretched over eight hours. Thorin and his company must journey to Erebor to reclaim its lost treasure from the dragon Smaug. At the end of the first film, we see Smaug’s eye. After a half-baked fight with Smaug in the second film, we see the dragon flying toward Laketown about to destroy it. After 330 minutes (and two years), the company has not reclaimed their lost treasure nor have they killed the dragon. When they finally kill Smaug in the opening act of the third film, it is thoroughly underwhelming because it is treated as just another plot point instead of a cathartic climax and as an audience, we were tired of waiting.
Studios need to play things more closely to the vest when exploring the possibility of a franchise. Take it one step at a time. Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy was not planned to be a trilogy from the start. It was wait-and-see as most franchises should be. John Wick is another perfect example. Have faith in your product, but don’t assume people are going to love it and want a franchise with additional spin-offs that could turn into other franchises because odds are that they won’t.
What are some other film series that flamed out too soon? Comment below!