Which franchises do (and don't) need big-screen reboots?

Algorhythmiq Thu, Nov 13, 2008 at 02:26 AM EST

I'm for rebooting Little House On The Prarie, but with better special effects. Think of it, it could be really coo... yeah - Hollywood is full of talentless accountants who rest and the laurels of others. There need to be newer approaches to stories and characters, because with every "re-boot" that succeeds you have 5 that will fail. But that one success prolongs the agony for all of us. We pay more for tickets to finance these kinds of decisions? Possibly why I haven't gone to the movies in 14 months. Maybe if some idiot decides to raise the price again (because of the lack of interest) I'm liable to rethink my position? Incidentally no reboots of cartoons. Why? CAUSE THEY'RE CARTOOOOOOOONS. *Argh*

Bryan Thu, Oct 16, 2008 at 07:12 PM EST

Why all the reboots anyway? Can't anyone come up with something original not based on a previous work?

Ricky Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 02:45 PM EST

Reboot Mission: Impossible and bring it back to television. Ignore the Tom Cruse movies and bring back Jim Phelps, the teamwork aspect, and the elaborate cons.

Eric Friedmann Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 12:48 PM EST

BATMAN is the only franchise that I think benefitted from a so-called "reboot". BATMAN RETURNS, BATMAN FOREVER and BATMAN AND ROBIN were absolute sh*t!

EP Sato Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 09:33 AM EST

Given that the Galactica remake is so awesome, can Buck Rogers get similar treatment? Universal still owns the rights, don't they? I say, hire the special effects crew from Firefly and team them up again with the directors and writers of Galactica, with Adam Baldwin in the role of Buck Rogers.

How about a rebooted exploitation heavy version of Barbarella directed by Peter Verhoeven?

I don't want to see any more horror movies rebooted (Halloween, Friday the 13th, The Hills have Eyes, the of the dead movies, etc).

A special note about Star Trek: In the Spaced tv series, Simon Pegg says something like "it's a sure thing that every odd numbered Star Trek is sh-t". Now he's going to play Scottie in an odd numbered Trek remake. Is that irony or poetic justice if the movie ends up sucking?

David Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 09:12 AM EST

What about Highlander? It's always been an interesting concept hamstrung by poor execution. Going back to some of the themes from the original movie about the tragedy of immortality when it's not something that can be shared with loved ones. After seeing what he did with Dark Knight, it seems like a great project for Christopher Nolan.

MmmmAngel Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 08:27 AM EST

Buffy, Buffy, Buffy!!!! I would LOVE a Buffy movie (a good one LOL).

It makes me SICK that they are remaking Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Tim Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 05:59 AM EST

I would like to see someone reboot the old Nick & Nora Charles movies from the 1930's and 1940's. I love those movies and think they could be updated with the right people. I just hope they wouldn't try and make them super serious.

Vince Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 02:21 AM EST

Just read the blurb about Johnny Depp in "Alice in Wonderland 3D". Sounds awesome, but I'd really love for someone to do a mature take on the story (like "American Mcgee's Alice", for instance), and del Toro seems like a great fit.

Vince Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 02:18 AM EST

Franchises that don't need rebooting...ever:

"Troll"...as in IMDB's Bottom 100 "Troll"

"The Smurfs"
"Land of the Lost" (sounds bad already..but who knows)
"Alien vs. Predator", and while we're at it, anything starring Freddy, Jason or Michael Myers.
On the subject of Mike Myers, it might be nice to see another "Wayne's World",but don't ever make another "Austin Powers" movie, ever.

Franchises that could use a reboot:
"Ghostbusters" (but I think of the video game as the new movie, so I don't mind if there's a movie or not)
"Alice in Wonderland"...I'd kill to see what Guillermo del Toro could do with the classic tale.

Also, on the subject of the "Punisher"...it's gonna suck. The trailer looks a lot like "Shoot 'em Up", except UNINTENTIONALLY funny.

David Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 10:57 PM EST

The Jetsons!

Nix Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 09:20 PM EST

But James Tiberius did become a womanizer because George Kirk abandoned them ...... _for SPACE_!

kim in kentucky Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 08:25 PM EST

maybe The Critic ???

Raven_Moon Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 06:20 PM EST

I don't mind franchise reboots so long as they are good; take "Batman Begins" & "The Dark Knight" for instance. I could see myself being interested in the new "Star Trek" film. Maybe because Simon Pegg is in it? I won't judge it until I see a full trailer, though.

John Torrey Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 05:26 PM EST

I want to see "Quantum Leap" get the big screen reboot. Dr. Sam Beckett could be the new Dr. Who.

Jelana Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 04:54 PM EST

No more reboots of classic TV. Seriously, before some exec gets it in his head to do a big screen version of the Dick Van Dyke show without, you know, Dick Van Dyke.

Leslie Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 04:47 PM EST

I would say don't worry about there being any major background stories for JJ's Star Trek. I appreciate the guy's previous shows, but when it comes to his movies (ie. Cloverfield, MI3), there's not much character-delving. Only beautiful people being... beautiful.

DanOregon Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 04:20 PM EST

It would make my day to see another Dirty Harry movie, with or without Eastwood.

Teekay Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 04:04 PM EST

I'd like to see that Wonder Woman reboot (if it ever gets off the ground) - I loved the 70's show when I was a kid, but watching it now... it's saddened me to admit how CRAPPY it was. Same goes for Buck Rogers.

PLEASE, no (more) reboots of:
The Wizard of Oz
The Avengers
Absolutely Fabulous
The A Team

C St Cross Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 03:24 PM EST

Punisher does NOT need to be rebooted. The first was fantastic the first time around, and technically he's a second string guest star and limited runner in the comic books. And it's not as if the first movie came out 10-20 years ago. It didn't even get a chance to get sequeled out before it got rebooted.

Bruce in NC Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 02:59 PM EST

It isn't a franchise but I would like to see They Live given an update.

FM Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 02:49 PM EST

I need to see a remake/ reimagining of the Mad Max series before I die... as long as its not some cheaply done thing that ends up starring Jason Statham.

Other possibilities that could be remade with limited fear of butchering the originals (mostly because none of them were all that great to begin with):

The Last Starfighter
Krull
Scanners
Wargames
The Beastmaster

Kai- Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

I agree with Tom about Cannonball Run. Along those same lines of how about Irwin Allen's all-star disaster flicks from the 1970's? Would love to see some of today's "stars" get crushed in an earthquake.

Torin Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:53 PM EST

I'd love to see another Alien movie (without Predators) as long as it's multiple aliens (unlike 1 &3) because it makes the movie more exciting, but I'm not sure if Stan Winston's death will affect the movie.

I'd also love to see another Bourne movie as long as Matt Damon & Paul Greengrass are involved. Even if Tony Gilroy can't write the screenplay I don't think that Damon & Greengrass will do the movie without a top notch script.

CB Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:19 PM EST

I forgot a couple movies/franchises they are rebooting that don't need it:
-The Rocky Horror Picture Show, just thinking about this makes my blood boil
-Adventures in Babysitting

Eric Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:13 PM EST

What is this, a pre-emptive strike to make sure everyone's on board to hate Abrams' Star Trek before they even see a trailer?

Okey Dokey. Honestly, I'm pretty weary of this trend myself, but as long as there's talent behind it like with Abrams and company, I'm fairly sure it has the potential (and probability) to be great. I'm honestly more tired of remakes than reboots. What the hell purpose is there to remake "The Thing" or "Quarantine" for instance.

RobC Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:09 PM EST

"Alien Nation" seems right during this age of terrorism. Perhaps it could fill the void that BSG is about to leave.

CB Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 01:07 PM EST

Franchises I don't want to see rebooted but apparently Hollywood is doing anway:
-Smurfs
-Fraggle Rock
By no means should these be made into the live action/cgi movies they are rumored to be. If you miss them, go watch the cartoons/show again.

Kathleen Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:55 PM EST

Evil Dead. It's pretty darn perfect the way it is. And I don't know if this counts, but I'm totally giving the Burns-After-the-Smithers-Kiss eye to the animated Star Wars flick.

To Buffy Movie People Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

Joss did make his own version, in comic book form. It's not in 'Season Eight' series out now, but it is in the old series based on Wheldon's original script. (I think they even added Dawn). Way better than the movie.

Auriana Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM EST

In my dream world Peter Jackson would create a live action Legend of Zelda movie. I have mixed feelings on the 80s cartoon live action movies that are in the works. GI Joe looks alright thus far but I'm worried about the supposed Voltron live action movie. Voltron was and still is my favorite and I'd love to see a movie that followed the actual lion force with all the characters. Alas, I heard that it's going to be nothing like the cartoon. I'd also like to see maybe a reboot of Hercules and Xena.

On the otherhand, anything with Stallone in it needs to die.

Melinda65 Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:24 PM EST

I'm not sure why we need a movie about the original Scooby gang and how they got together. Plus, is there anyone who can play Shaggy better than Matthew Lilliard?

Jackie, I enjoyed the Buffy movie too--I thought that it was campy, silly fun. Then after seeing the series and rewatching the movie, it looked like a horrible mess. I would like to see Joss's version of the movie, although I don't see him going back to it. I'd rather see more Firefly/Serenity (well, more Firefly, since I want all of the characters back.) I agree that trying to revisit a movie series 10-20 years after the fact is probably not a good idea. (George Lucas, I'm looking at you.)

I'm looking forward to the ST reboot, too. Since they're apparently not making any DS9 movies, and I don't really care about ST:Enterprise movies, a reboot is the best way to get back to the franchise, IMO. I do have reservations about the tech stuff though, and that it'll end up looking more advanced than what was in TOS.

Green Gummi Bear Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:20 PM EST

Eh, has a reboot ever worked? Other than your rare cases of 007 (if you like the new version) and Batman, how often do they really work? Like how many times will the "reboot" the Hulk?

Rob Grizzly Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:18 PM EST

Yes.

Franchises that don't need a reboot:

Rocky
Friday the 13th
Beverly Hills Cop
Star Wars

Franchises that could use a reboot:

Masters of the Universe
G.I. Joe
Ghostbusters
Superman

Franchises I'm on the fence about:

Scream
RoboCop
Terminator
The Smurfs

Snarf Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:10 PM EST

Actually looking forward to Star Trek
(I have a lot of faith in JJ)

Jackie Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:09 PM EST

Would love, love, LOVE to see a new Buffy movie! I was one of the few who actually liked the original (I thought it was funny), but I adored the TV series, and I know the movie was not what Joss Whedon envisioned at all. It would have to have the cast of the TV series, of course.

I agree on no more Back to the Future or Indy. I love them, they're part of my growing up experience, but we have closure on those. Also no more Pirates movies. They wrapped those up really well too.

Stephanie T. Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 12:06 PM EST

What can possibly be made into a live action movie? Probably The Battle of the Planets, aka: G-Force. However, the script has to be better than Speed Racer.

What should not be rebooted? Any and all Hannah Barbera cartoons. After seeing what happened to the Flinstones (which was not that bad, but at the same time not good), Josie and the Pussycats, and especially Scooby Doo, it's clear that somethings need to be left alone.

Tom Wed, Aug 6, 2008 at 11:57 AM EST

I'd love to see the guys behind FOX's Drive given the keys to the Cannonball Run franchise. And X-Men definitely need a new reboot to make everyone forget about Ratner's last stand.

In terms of franchises that should be left alone... definitely the Back to the Future franchise (no Marty and Doc, no movie) and, after Crystal Skull, Indy needs to ride into the sunset and stay there.