Buzz
As Hollywood leans into long-lasting blockbusters, the last two decades have seen studios work tirelessly to build profitable franchises, ensuring a constant stream of income. However, these attempts often fail to resonate without a strong creative vision. This drive for profit over artistry has led to once-beloved franchises becoming shadows of their former selves. Here are 10 exhausted franchises Hollywood refuses to put to rest:
10. Charlie’s Angels
Initially a hit TV show in 1976, “Charlie’s Angels” caught Hollywood’s attention in 2000 when it was rebooted into an action-packed movie featuring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz. However, the success was fleeting. After a poorly received sequel in 2003 and a scrapped third movie, the franchise lay dormant. Hollywood, however, wasn’t ready to let it go, and the revival attempts have continued for the last 17 years.
A 2007 animated film was pitched but fell into development limbo, and in 2011, a disastrous TV reboot starring Minka Kelly premiered on ABC, only to be canceled after just four episodes, marking it as one of the most poorly performing shows in TV history. After that, things quieted down, leading many to think the “Charlie’s Angels” saga had come to an end. Yet, Hollywood was far from finished with it.
Sony Pictures refused to admit that audiences had lost interest in this franchise long ago, and despite this, they poured resources into the 2019 reboot/sequel of “Charlie’s Angels”. Directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring Kristen Stewart, the film was a monumental failure. Despite its $97 million production and marketing budget, the movie earned only $8 million on its opening weekend. Critics and audiences rejected it, leading to the cancellation of any planned sequels. Let's hope the message was finally heard this time.
9. Men In Black
The first two “Men In Black” films were undeniable cultural phenomena, with the unlikely pairing of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones delivering a franchise that no one saw coming. The chemistry between the two stars made for a fresh and unique experience that connected with audiences. But in 2012, “Men In Black 3” arrived, and it was clear that the series had stretched its limits. Despite the film's box office success, fans and critics alike agreed it didn’t measure up to its predecessors and lacked the magic of the first two movies.
In an attempt to revive the series, Sony Pictures spent two years exploring a “Men In Black” spin-off that would merge with the “21 Jump Street” franchise. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, the stars of Jump Street, were even on board to reprise their roles for this bizarre yet intriguing crossover. Unfortunately, the project stalled and was abandoned. Sony ultimately scrapped the crossover idea in favor of a fresh reboot.
Thus, in 2019, “Men In Black: International” hit theaters, introducing new characters played by Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, known for their roles in “Thor: Ragnarok”. Regrettably, the movie failed to captivate audiences and underperformed at the box office. As a result, any future plans for the franchise were scrapped. Though there are no current plans for new films, it’s only a matter of time before another reboot emerges.
8. Resident Evil
Hollywood has a long history of struggling with video game adaptations, and for good reason – none of them are truly successful. From the notorious flop of the 90s “Super Mario Bros.” to the disastrous 2016 adaptation of “Assassin’s Creed”, it seems video game movies are cursed to fail. However, 2002’s “Resident Evil”, based on the beloved horror franchise, broke the mold and became a surprise hit, starring Milla Jovovich.
Though the movie was criticized for straying far from its video game origins and leaving fans disappointed, it exceeded expectations at the box office. It generated a new fanbase and sparked a 14-year movie franchise. Unfortunately, as the sequels piled on, they became increasingly convoluted and less engaging, leading to diminishing box office returns as the franchise grew tired.
By 2016, Sony Pictures and Screen Gems recognized the series had run its course, despite still being somewhat profitable. They released “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,” which largely went unnoticed by western audiences and failed to make an impact. It seemed like the end of the road, but the studios soon made it clear they weren’t done milking the franchise for all it was worth.
When “Resident Evil: Biohazard” revitalized the video game series in 2017, it was reported by Variety that a reboot of the movie franchise was in the works, inspired by the game, with James Wan producing a planned 6-film series. Despite Milla Jovovich’s public disapproval of the project, it generated buzz among fans. Unfortunately, the movie never made it past the development phase.
In 2020, it was revealed that a new movie project, based on the first two “Resident Evil” games, was in development. Not long after this announcement, Netflix released a trailer for a new animated “Resident Evil” series, set to premiere in 2021. These projects seem to be a concerted effort to win back fans’ approval, capitalizing on the renewed interest in the franchise, which had gained critical acclaim due to the recent games.
7. Pirates Of The Caribbean
In 2003, Disney released “Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl,” which quickly became one of the most enjoyable and charismatic films of its era. Based on one of Disney’s beloved theme park rides, it turned out to be a brilliant adaptation with an original story and memorable characters, including Johnny Depp’s iconic Jack Sparrow. The film was an instant classic, and its success led to a trilogy.
Although the following two sequels, “Dead Man’s Chest” and “At World’s End,” weren’t as widely praised as the first film, with some critics finding them messy and overblown, they still formed a cohesive trilogy that ended on a high note in 2007. Unfortunately, Disney decided to continue the franchise beyond that.
“Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” was released in 2011 and left fans disappointed with its lackluster plot, its decision to exclude the original cast, and its portrayal of Jack Sparrow as a mere caricature. Despite the backlash, the film still earned money, leading Disney to push forward with 2017’s “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The film was universally panned and so poorly received that the planned sequels were quickly scrapped, bringing the series to an unsatisfactory conclusion.
Struggling to revive their ailing franchise, Disney revealed in 2018 that the upcoming “Pirates 6” would be a reboot, signaling the departure of Johnny Depp from the series. Since then, the news cycle has been filled with conflicting reports about the reboot being both canceled and revived, only to lose its lead writers, then face another cancellation — which only serves to highlight Disney’s inability to fully let go of the Pirates, even if they have no clear vision for its future.
6. Alien
“In space, no one can hear you scream.” A chilling phrase that still resonates with audiences. Ridley Scott’s “Alien” remains one of the finest blends of horror and science fiction to this day. Its 1986 sequel, James Cameron’s “Aliens,” stands as one of the best action/sci-fi films ever made. Both films gave us unforgettable heroes and villains, leaving a lasting impact on cinema. It was flawless. And yet, the story continued.
Following the letdowns of “Alien 3” and “Alien Resurrection” in the 90s, the 2000s saw studios trying to turn the Alien franchise into a mainstream cash cow, starting with the disappointing “Alien vs Predator” in 2004, followed by its even worse sequel, “Alien vs Predator: Requiem” in 2007. These movies drained all the life from the franchise, causing audiences to lose interest, prompting 20th Century Fox to reconsider their approach.
In 2012, Ridley Scott returned to the franchise to direct a prequel titled “Prometheus,” breathing new life into the Alien universe. However, the film was divisive, with many fans criticizing it for being slow and pretentious in its exploration of themes. A sequel was soon in limbo, and “Prometheus” faded into obscurity, largely forgotten by most.
Four years after the release of “Aliens,” Neill Blomkamp, known for the critically acclaimed “District 9,” was selected to direct a new Alien film. This new installment was intended to follow directly after “Aliens,” disregarding all of its sequels. It was even announced that Sigourney Weaver would return as Ellen Ripley, offering a fitting conclusion to her character. Unfortunately, the project was canceled during preproduction, and it was soon revealed that Ridley Scott would instead helm the sequel to “Prometheus.”
In 2017, the long-awaited sequel arrived in the form of “Alien: Covenant,” a film that disappointed with its incoherent narrative, leaving both critics and audiences unengaged. The movie underperformed at the box office, clouding any potential for a follow-up. Nevertheless, Ridley Scott expressed in 2020 that a sequel to “Covenant” might still happen, suggesting that 20th Century Fox is unwilling to accept that the franchise has failed to deliver a quality film since 1986. Go figure.
5. The Walking Dead
At one point, “The Walking Dead” was a cultural sensation, widely considered alongside “Game of Thrones” and “Breaking Bad.” Today, its fall from grace is almost laughable. AMC’s flagship show lost its direction years ago and now exists as a mere shadow of its former self, barely surviving with little impact. Called “the greatest downfall in television history” by Collider, it is now more associated with being stale and unnecessarily prolonged. It's hard to believe that, at its peak, “The Walking Dead” was the most-watched show in the world.
After the original graphic novel ended in 2019 with a widely criticized conclusion, and with the TV show growing increasingly dull and overshadowed by a lackluster spin-off, it has become clear in recent years that the franchise has lost much of its audience’s interest. When AMC announced in 2020 that season 11 would be the final season of “The Walking Dead,” it seemed the long-drawn-out saga was finally nearing its end. We were wrong.
The Walking Dead franchise isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's set to expand in the next decade, with a range of bizarre and unappealing spin-offs like 'World Beyond,' a teen drama set in the same universe that’s currently making headlines for its poor ratings. There's also a movie trilogy featuring Rick Grimes on the way, along with other TV shows launching in the coming years. Despite a lack of demand for more content, 'The Walking Dead' is determined to grow, becoming even more obnoxious as time goes on.
4. X-Men
It’s easy to forget that the 2000 film 'X-Men' single-handedly revived the superhero genre, giving it the shape we recognize today. After the disaster of 'Batman & Robin' in 1997, which nearly doomed superhero movies, 'X-Men' took a bold step by breaking free from the campy clichés that plagued earlier comic adaptations. This reinvigoration paved the way for Sam Raimi's 'Spider-Man' and 'X-Men 2,' the latter still hailed as one of the best superhero films ever. But the franchise's success didn't last forever...
As time passed, the 'X-Men' franchise turned into a chaotic, incoherent mess, plagued by a tangled timeline and what felt like a haphazard attempt to throw anything at the wall to see what stuck. Writer and producer Simon Kinberg even admitted that the films began to prioritize flashy visual effects over creating engaging characters. The hope sparked by 2016’s 'X-Men: Apocalypse' quickly fizzled out, culminating in the 2019 release of 'Dark Phoenix,' which crashed and burned at the box office, losing over $100 million and leaving the series in an utterly forgettable state.
However, since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox in 2018, Marvel Studios has confirmed that the X-Men will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This has given fans new hope that the characters can be revived, similar to how Spider-Man was successfully reintegrated into the MCU after the failure of the 'Amazing Spider-Man' series in 2014. So, after two decades of films, it seems the X-Men franchise is only just getting started.
3. Terminator
Where do we even begin with this one? It's almost mind-boggling to realize that the last great 'Terminator' movie came out nearly three decades ago, especially considering that there have been four more sequels since. After James Cameron delivered 'The Terminator' in 1984 and 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' in 1991 (which is still regarded as one of the best action films ever), the studios decided to continue the franchise without its creator. And to this day, none have succeeded in capturing the same magic.
After the disappointing 'T3: Rise of the Machines' in 2003, the studios opted for a fresh approach, rebooting the franchise in 2009 with 'Terminator: Salvation' under the direction of McG. This film, widely hated by audiences, abandoned the original cast and leaned heavily into sci-fi, straying far from the series' roots. Despite being one of the most expensive movies of its time, 'Salvation' failed to capture the audience’s interest, and plans for sequels were quickly scrapped.
Undeterred, Skydance and Paramount Pictures made another attempt in 2015 with 'Terminator: Genisys,' bringing back Arnold Schwarzenegger as the T-800 after a 12-year break. Unfortunately, this reboot was another misfire. The film received harsh reviews and struggled badly at the box office, disappointing fans, especially since the film’s biggest plot twist had been spoiled in the trailer long before the movie's release. The planned trilogy for this new version of the franchise was quietly abandoned by the studio.
Just when it seemed the message couldn't be clearer, Paramount partnered with 20th Century Fox for yet another reboot. In 2019, 'Terminator: Dark Fate' was released, erasing the last four films from the franchise’s timeline and positioning itself as the true sequel to 'Judgment Day.' Despite some initial buzz generated by the return of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, 'Dark Fate' bombed at the box office, losing the studio $130 million. It became one of the most hated films in the series, underscoring that the franchise had been trapped in a cycle of retelling the same story over and over in a futile attempt to recapture the magic of the first two films.
Although the future of the franchise remains uncertain, even MacKenzie Davis (who played a key role in 'Dark Fate') seems skeptical that the planned sequels will ever come to fruition. In an interview with NME, she remarked that at this point, 'thinking there would be a demand for a seventh film is quite insane.'
2. Transformers
Michael Bay's 2007 'Transformers' was an entertaining movie with groundbreaking visual effects that captured the world’s attention. But that’s where the praise ends. There's no valid reason for the disaster that followed, with Bay directing four more films. While the movies made money (for reasons unknown), it’s widely accepted that 'Transformers' films rank among the worst blockbusters ever made. The franchise has become a prime example of studios overestimating their luck. Ultimately, Bay’s take on the series was put to rest after the disastrous 2017 'Transformers: The Last Knight,' which bombed and lost Paramount Pictures and Hasbro over $100 million.
Despite the franchise’s overwhelming fatigue, Paramount couldn't resist and released a new vision of the series less than a year later with the 2018 reboot, 'Bumblebee.' The first film not directed by Bay, 'Bumblebee' was an improvement in terms of quality, but struggled to make a profit at the box office, saved only by the strong turnout of Chinese audiences who flocked to see it.
Feeling the heat from the apparent lack of interest in the franchise, Paramount canceled 'Transformers 7,' which had originally been set for release in June 2019. However, in a move that surprised no one, The Hollywood Reporter announced in May 2020 that 'Transformers 7' was back on track, now scheduled for a 2022 release. This announcement was quickly followed by the launch of a 6-part animated 'Transformers' series on Netflix, signaling that both Hasbro and Paramount are determined to salvage the franchise they’ve been steering into a wall for the past decade.
1. Rambo
It’s surprising to remember that John Rambo was initially conceived as a character representing the struggles of a war veteran dealing with PTSD in the 1982 film 'First Blood'. However, he soon evolved into the epitome of an ultra-violent action hero, becoming synonymous with a golden era of action movies in Hollywood. The 'Rambo' series has remained a hallmark of the genre since its inception, though Hollywood’s hesitation to let the saga end has begun to tarnish its once-undeniable legacy.
Following the disastrous release of 'Rambo IV' in 2008, a mere two decades after 'Rambo III', Hollywood decided to take another shot at reviving the franchise. In 2019, 'Rambo: Last Blood' hit theaters, serving as a definitive signal that the series had run out of steam. The movie disregarded coherent storytelling, opting instead for an onslaught of excessive violence, ultimately leaving both critics and audiences unimpressed.
David Morrell, the author behind the original 'Rambo' novels, admitted feeling embarrassed by the film, describing it as 'degrading' among other criticisms. Despite the film’s box office failure, Sylvester Stallone has hinted at the possibility of a seventh 'Rambo' installment and even a prequel set before the events of 'First Blood'.
