OTT & Transmedia : Reboots - Thoughts? by James Hoey

James Hoey

Reboots - Thoughts?

After reading a recent statement from Pixar about everything in their bucket possibly being rebooted, I started to think about films spawned from other sources that did not do great in their theatrical release. Curious about how folks feel about the growing safety-net of reboots.

Are there any films or series derived from video games or other sources that you feel would benefit from a reboot? For me, Street Fighter (1994) and Doom (2005) come to mind. Each could benefit from a more cinema-minded redo and dump the cutesy stuff.

Or, with the long list of potential live-action projects out there, is there a game - new or old - that you think would benefit from the current technology in filmmaking that has been overlooked?

Maurice Vaughan

I like seeing movie reboots of films and games I grew up with, James Hoey, but I think there needs to be more original movies too. People don't just want reboots (and remakes). There are sooo many original scripts and original video games out there that would be great movies.

"Street Fighter," "Doom," "Resident Evil," "Sifu," "Flintstones," "Alone in the Dark," "12 Minutes," "Masters of the Universe," "Little Nightmares," "Unravel," "Earthworm Jim," "Rocket League," "Final Fight," "Hello Neighbor," "NBA Jam," "Contra," and a live-action "Super Mario Bros." (which I think is a smart move with the success of the Super Mario Bros. animation movie). All of these movies would benefit from modern technology.

Ashley Renee Smith

I agree, Maurice Vaughan, we need more focus on original stories. That being said, I would love to someday see a reboot of Assassins Creed that manages to do justice to what makes that world and story so unique and fun. I also think a Hitman reboot could be really fun!

Mandi Allen

as a writer (or many formats) and a writing coach, we need to see more original tv and films. I’ve judged film festivals as well my own clients and there are honestly some amazing stories out there.

if something failed, you have to ask why. sometimes a reboot is not the answer.

Leonardo Ramirez

I don't mind a really well-done reboot every now and then James Hoey - but I don't think that they should be the bread and butter of the industry. I'd love to see more original work do well.

James Hoey

Well Leonardo Ramirez Mandi Allen Ashley Renee Smith Maurice Vaughan there is a theme in your responses. I wholeheartedly agree; reboots need to be few and far between and we need original tv and film like never before. I typically frown on reboots, but there is that rare occasion when modern technology can lift a poor-effects, dated format movie or tv show and lift it to the level it deserved the first time around. On the other hand, there are some films that should never be on the reboot roster in my opinion. There is something to the feel, look, cheesy effects, and clearly dated themes that make some films what they are. A modernization of those films will only ruin them. For example, RoboCop is one where I hated the reboot. It lost all of the b-reel charm of the original. Things like Star Trek the original series, being remastered in 4k, also leave me dry. Give me the soft focus, grainy images, and 60s sound engineering any day while watching it. The look of a film or show is an intrinsic part of that film or show. All of that being said, I wish we could challenge Hollywood to try a 1:50 (at least) ratio of reboots to original films each year. Maybe there aren't enough movie/TV-lovers in executive positions any longer. That's a topic for another discussion in another forum.

Terrence Sellers

I disagree with DOOM, as the game franchise is the strongest it has ever been currently. Both DOOM (2016) and DOOM: Eternal were wildly successful and brought in many never players to the franchise, myself included. Rebooting it now seems unnecessary. Instead, they should just make the next sequel.

A game franchise that I think could benefit from a reboot to film scenario successfully would be the Legacy of Kain series. It still has a large cult following and the name is known by many gamers, including those who haven't actually played the games. Rebooting the series and making new games and other media would do very well, in my opinion.

Maurice Vaughan

I tried to buy the rights to make a "Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver" movie way back, but someone bought them first, Terrence Sellers.

Terrence Sellers

Maurice Vaughan It happens. Never seen anything about a Legacy of Kain movie, so maybe the rights reverted back to the original owner.

Maurice Vaughan

You might be right, Terrence Sellers. I was gonna buy the rights to make a "Bloody Roar" movie too, but I gave up producing and focused on writing.

Mark Deuce

I just put one up called today "Finding Jamal" and is a reboot of Finding Forrester film with Sean Connery James Hoey

Brandy Camille

I'm at an age (just under 40) where I have mixed thoughts about reboots. I feel like in the industry, it may be something that's overdone, but I love the nostalgia when a reboot is properly executed. And sometimes, it just flat out doesn't work for me.

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