?Sequel? is the new buzzword in world entertainment. With marketing and production budgets seeing eye-to-eye and the focus shifting to shareholders than to the academy statuettes, Hollywood studios have set their eyes on tested commercial extravaganzas with established brand awareness. So, despite several sequels turning out to be major creative disappointments, Hollywood has no qualms about going sequel-crazy.
Such is the mania that even the ?indies? have jumped on to the sequels? bandwagon. By acquiring sequel rights to dormant or interrupted franchises, independent producers are attempting an entry into a game usually dominated by the studios with greater financial muscle. This year, the success of the latest from the Shrek, Spiderman, Pirates, Ocean?s, Rush Hour and Bourne series has only reaffirmed the dependability of sequels at the turnstiles. The resounding success of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has catapulted the Potter series to become the biggest franchise in motion-picture history.
According to a press release from Warner Brothers, the combined worldwide box office gross for the five Harry Potter films to date is in excess of $4.47 billion, surpassing the box office totals of all 22 James Bond films and the six Star Wars movies. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2008) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010)?still in the offing?have already made their way into the list of the most highly anticipated films, which includes the nostalgic sequel to Indiana Jones.
The much-criticised The Da Vinci Code still went on to gross $758 million worldwide and the film?s star and director are in final negotiations to make Angels and Demons?which takes place before the events of The Da Vinci Code. The next instalment in the Saw series of horror films is set for release in Halloween 2007 after Saw 3 witnessed extraordinary numbers.
Patrick Swayze is to reprise his surfboarding gang boss role in a Point Break sequel. Bruce Willis would like to reunite with his ex-wife for Die Hard 5 for which Morgan Freeman is being considered to play the part of the anti-hero. Transformers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, Star Trek and Alien vs Predator are all being fertilised in the sequel factory. Bollywood has officially joined the sequel rat-race as well?Koi Mil Gaya, Vaastav, Munnabhai MBBS, Hera Pheri and Dhoom have had their sequels, and these sequels will in turn have their sequels as well. Golmaal, Heyy Babyy, Sarkar, Kya Kool Hai Hum and Dhamaal are among the other franchises working on their successors.
Apart from these big cases in point, at least a dozen relatively smaller franchises are busy adding ?2, 3 and 4? ahead of their names to keep the churn going. As the numbers pile up, surely someone?s got to go back to the drawing board and think up of an original franchise.
?The author is head of UK & Europe, International Motion Pictures at Studio 18. He may be reached at garg.tan@gmail.com