MovieChat Forums > Avatar (2009) Discussion > Did not inspire new stories

Did not inspire new stories


When this film came out and was so successful, I thought Hollywood would start creating new franchises like they did in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

But, instead, we got a string of sequels, prequels and reboots that reek of unoriginality.

As hated as this film may be by some people, this is the last original big budget film.

reply

[deleted]

I am not talking about original topics. Obviously a lot of the topics in the film have been covered before.

I am talking about new films that are not sequels, prequels or reboots. A new story with a new universe and characters.

reply

It’s Dances With Wolves in outer space, just like Alien was a monster movie in outer space. Neither original nor good. Great 3D, though.

Whatever happened to 3D, other than epilepsy attacks?

reply

Whatever happened to 3D

Nearly every movie I see in the theater is 3D, as are most of the blu-rays I buy. X-Men Apocalypse, Transformers 5, Thor Ragnarok (amazing 3D), Terminator 2, Coco, Ready Player One, Infinity War, Incredibles 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp this weekend... That's just the recent movies off the top of my head.

Speaking of Cameron movies, I hope he converts Aliens to 3D as well. Titanic and Terminator 2 look perfect.

reply

In one ear and out the other dude. I hear you though. It's kind of ironic.

reply

I think one problem that will always exist is the budget costs. I'm sure some producer/writer has big dreams inside their heads of doing something never seen before, but getting a studio to listen and finance is another thing.

And two other seismic developments in the movie world since Avatar's release has changed the landscape profoundly in my opinion. The rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and the shakier attempt by DC as well) has dominated theaters year after year, and I'd also add in Disney's domination with Star Wars. I know people have gotten mad at Scorsese lately for criticizing the Marvel films, but they kind of have muscled out the smaller and medium-budgeted films. They can still exist, but their chances of success are arguably much worse in this decade compared to 15-20 years ago.

The other major change in the industry has been the rise of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and (soon to be HBO MAX, Disney+, etc). Streaming services creating their own movies -- many of them award-winning -- have also stolen a huge chunk of the pie and become a source of competing entertainment. It's also why you see more experimental films on Netflix rather than the movie theaters -- less risk there. But if you're looking for a swath of big-budgeted, original sci-fi films or just original adventure/action films in general to hit movie theaters, we are not likely getting them. Studios are playing it safe with reboots, sequels and known franchise names. It's not a guarantee of success (see recent Dark Fate box office), but it's still (to them) safer than charging into the "unknown" with a $150-$180 million budget. A studio would still rather spend that on a reboot or sequel. They'd sooner go to a Hasbro toy than spend it on a completely original idea.

People like James Cameron and Christopher Nolan are among two exceptions. They seem to have little to no problems financing their original stories.

reply