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Question of the Day (QOTD) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a film/TV-related question that we put to you, the reader. The comments section below is like the feedback box at work; except, in this example, we actually read what you write and care about what you have to say.
Yet another “reimagining” no one has asked for in a franchise that has already had several reboots and sequels was discussed in the SAW offices this week, and it led me to throw out the question, “What is an original movie that you either like or is critically acclaimed, would you be willing to erase that would prevent the entire franchise?”
Meaning what franchise has become so bloated with bad sequels, spin-offs, and TV shows that you are willing to sacrifice the original movie (even if you like it or is critically acclaimed) to simply put the franchise to rest and never have to hear about another entry? Not bad or generally unliked original movies. Those would be easy decisions, but has The Terminator series become so bad that you would erase the original and T2? Jaws? Jurassic Park? The MCU? Alien? The Exorcist?
The reimagining mentioned earlier is a new animated version of Willy Wonka coming to Netflix next year, with Taika Waititi voicing the titular character. Because of this announcement, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) was one of the first victims I would be willing to sacrifice, as even though I do enjoy the original, I don’t love it enough to keep every entry of this franchise.
Some other franchises I’m willing to erase would be Jurassic Park (I didn’t like it but it’s critically acclaimed), Fast and the Furious (I liked the first one, even though it was a direct rip-off of Point Break), Harry Potter (I didn’t like but critically acclaimed), and The Conjuring (I like the first and it was critically acclaimed). These are just a few I’d obliterate without giving it a second thought. I would add James Bond, but that franchise has some banger songs that I wouldn’t want to lose, so I guess I’d keep it around.
So what about you, screenagers? What good movie would you erase to prevent its franchise?
Note: This wouldn’t affect anything else or what these movies inspired. Just the movies and series themselves.
I’ll see you in the trenches.
