There are very few things in life that last forever. In the world of entertainment, franchises come and go all the time. While some are fortunate enough to receive a remake or a reboot, others are left in limbo. In this article we’re going to be covering some movies and television media that has (mostly) been erased.
Highlander
Back in the day, Highlander was a big deal. The movie had one of the coolest, most original premises ever. Immortal warriors from all around the world, competing across centuries for the ultimate prize. It combined action, adventure, drama, and some neat special effects. Highlander managed to spawn a franchise of direct sequels, comics, a TV series, an anime movie, action figures, and we were close to having a Highlander video game developed by Eidos Interactive.
The spin-off media was great, but the sequels failed to retain the magic of the original with each of them deviating from the formula. The first Highlander worked because it was a limited concept executed wonderfully. It did its thing and left before getting stale. The TV spin-off worked because it felt self-contained, introducing a new cast of characters while expanding on ideas previously glossed over. The anime worked because it was tailored specifically for that audience. With the direct sequels unable to capture that magnetism, and studios favoring fresh blood, the franchise is sadly in limbo.
Pumpkinhead
Many people refer to Aliens, Predator, or The Thing as their favorite creature features; people still talk about them to this day. There is one creature feature that is equally terrifying but sadly forgotten. Ironic, because the man who directed this movie is one of the reasons why those three classics are still relevant.
Pumpkinhead is a supernatural horror film released in 1988 and directed by Stan Winston. Winston’s forte was special effects, having a hand in some of the most iconic movies of the 80s and 90s. He also worked on some modern classics, like Avatar and Iron Man. Pumpkinhead was his foray into directing, with the design of the monster sharing many similarities with the Alien by H.R Giger. Similar to Highlander, the movie’s premise was straightforward but well executed, focusing on the theme of revenge and its potential for corruption. Clever use of practical effects and lighting led to an experience that could honestly rival mainline horror movies at the time. Pumpkinhead would end up spawning the expected merchandise and three sequels, each of them lesser than the original. Stan Winston’s passing, stiff competition, and the industry moving towards CGI, resulted in the Pumpkinhead franchise losing much of its popularity.
Stargate
The first Stargate movie was released in 1994 and was directed by Roland Emmerich, the man best known for The Patriot, Independence Day, and Universal Soldier. The movie was based around the theme of extraterrestrials having an influence on mankind, with the sci-fi elements having a distinct Ancient Egypt aesthetic. While the movie performed well critically and commercially, it is overshadowed by its TV series counterparts. There’s a reason people prefer talking about the series rather than the movies.
Stargate spawned both web and TV spin-offs, including a short lived animated program, and similarly to Highlander, the spin-offs expanded the lore and had a more developed cast. While television does not have the same allure as the golden screen, a serial format does provide a lot more potential for storytelling. However, nothing lasts forever. By the start of the 2010s the good ideas were exhausted, as was the interest of the audience. After a pause there was Stargate Origins in 2018, a prequel to the series and last ditch attempt to reinvigorate the franchise. It was decent, but not decent enough.
And speaking of Roland Emmerich…
Universal Soldier
Universal Solider is the other wonderchild of Roland Emmerich. Starring Jean-Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren, Universal Soldier revolves around a secret military project to create the ultimate warrior. The franchise focused on the theme of dehumanization in the military. The idea that a human being can, quite literally, become a tool for war.
Besides acting as a critique of military atrocities, within the military and on the field, the first movie offered plenty of cool action scenes. Van Damme’s struggle to find his memories (and thus his humanity) was the main source of drama, while Lungren was an example of what happens when the military creates a too effective soldier. A distinct clash of personalities ensued. The first movie had depth, and sadly, that can’t be said about the sequels. Subsequent directors Jeff Woolnough, Mic Rodgers, and John Hyams failed to mimic the essence of the original, creating something that felt more like fanfiction than a sequel. Unsatisfactory critical and financial performance, coupled with no fresh and marketable talent, resulted in Universal Soldier fading into obscurity.
Police Academy
Comedy isn’t spared from obscurity. Produced by Paul Maslansky and distributed by Warner Bros, Police Academy centered around the antics of a group of grossly underqualified wastrels suddenly being part of the police force. The comedy centered around giving authority and responsibility to people who don’t understand either. The first movie had some genuinely funny moments amidst juvenile nonsense that would make The Garbage Pail Kids look like The Godfather in comparison. However, it was incredibly profitable and the profits kept coming…for a while.
The longer a franchise runs, the greater the need for fresh material. Good ideas exhaust and bad ideas mount. People begin to want something new, something original, something different. Each sequel was inferior, both critically and commercially. The last movie was the worst in the franchise, hated by fans, and especially by Warner Bros as the box office was…some people watched the movie. That’s the best way to put it.
Which franchises have we missed? Which franchises deserve to make a comeback? Let us know in the comments and on our social media!
