Can a movie franchise be revived?

[Dave Gray]

The Alien franchise got me thinking:

Alien was a great movie, with a standout directory, Ridley Scott (though I might not particularly care for him).
Aliens, again -- a great movie, with another great director, Jim Cameron.
Alien 3 fell apart due to poor budgeting and scripts, but was still made respectably by David Fincher, who I consider to be the best in the business.
Alien Resurrection was widely touted as a turd, but again, Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a fantastic director, so it's not like they gave up.
Alien Vs. Predator, I've never seen, but I hear it's craptacular.  This was done by Paul W.S. Anderson, who pretty much does all of the video game movies -- Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil, Castlevania, etc.

So, because this franchise went so far off course, do you think it's possible for them to bring it back?  Can another good Alien film be made, or is way gone?

I would ask about Batman, because they got really bad...but Batman Begins doesn't use the same universe as the other films.  It's its own set of films.

...what about the new Superman?  Is it possible that these franchises can start churning out good movies again?

[Denver_Bronco]

I hate the idea of reviving these movies. It's like beating a dead horse. Can't these genius directors think of new things or ideas ? I don't know. Maybe its just me. I can't stand sci-fi stuff.

[Brian Fein]

I liked Alien Vs. Predator, but more because I'm a fan of Predator.  The movie itself sucked hardcore in the plot and script, but the effects and action sequences were well done.

To answer your question, I don't think it can be revived becuase its a difficult concept to drag out.  Big nasty aliens with little angry aliens in their mouths that have neon green acid blood...  great.  In order to make this successful, you'll have to get a good plot line, and AVP tried and failed.  I don't think there are any good "realistic" plots that can be derived from this concept anymore.

[JVides]

Alien can be revived, but (for me) it would have to go on as if Alien3 and Alien Resurrection never happened.  I'd heard one script called for the Colonial Marines to invade the aliens' home planet after the aliens attacked Earth. (The original concepts for Alien 3 and 4)  Alien 3 was supposed to revolve around Hicks (who they killed off in Alien 3) as he battled the aliens on Earth.  By Alien 4, Ripley was supposed to have returned (from a coma, I think?) to help battle the aliens on their planet.  That sounds bad-ass to me.

As for other franchises, well, I have high hopes for Superman Returns, and was impressed by Batman Begins.  I don't mind if a franchise is revived via "reboot", either, so long as the origin strories don't get way too long.

[MixLovesThemPhins]

alien vs predator sucked

what was up wit the "love" story of that girl and predator

that movie coulda been way doper if u ask me, i was pissed , but i agree wit bronco they should jus start makin new movies, if i wanna see these movies i'll rent the older version which odds are r gonna be better then the new nonsense they make

anyways ima comedy man, give me some dumb and dumber over alien any day

[GUATARICCAN]

I think if they made a new Alien film that takes place on Earth and did not involve Ripley! She died in 3 I accept that so it would be hard to continue the Alien story. But maybe another ship like in the original crashes on Earth, eh too much like part 2.

And the new Superman is supposed to coincide w/ Richard Donner's Superman and Superman 2.

So all in all, if it's a fresh and new take on the old franchise it could work, but if they try to attempt a rehash of the same old stuff then it will fail horribly. Like Batman went from comic book like to reality based.

[Thundergod]

I'm still waiting for a movie franchise to be revived.  Batman Begins was a good start, but it wasn't the best.

Movie franchises can be revived, but the planets have to be aligned perfectly in order for that to happen.

[Dave Gray]

I'm still waiting for a movie franchise to be revived. Batman Begins was a good start, but it wasn't the best.

I personally think that "Begins" was the best Batman film, period.  It didn't really revive the franchise, so much as it started it over in a different direction.  The story in Batman Begins directly conflicts with that of the original Batman.

[Philly Fin Fan]

I personally think that "Begins" was the best Batman film, period.  It didn't really revive the franchise, so much as it started it over in a different direction.  The story in Batman Begins directly conflicts with that of the original Batman.

I agree. I think "Batman Begins" kind of took the franchise and started all over. Forget the 90's movies with all their cheesiness, this is a whole new Batman film franchise.

[MixLovesThemPhins]

ya i was worried about Batman Begins because truthfully i couldn't stand any of the previous batman movies

every movie was the same

people dressed up on rollerblades wit sparklers taped to em rollerblading through dark tunnels that had glow in the dark shit written every

Batman Begins was dope actually makes me wanna see part 2

[Dave Gray]

Not only was Batman Begins totally different than the other Batmans, it was unlike any comic brought to film.  Everything was campy, to that point.  This told the Batman story in the real world....without too many fantastic elements.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Speaking of reviving movie franchises, heres a question:
I know they are making another Indiana Jones film, which is great cause Indy rocks! But Harrison Ford is getting old and it would be great to make many more Indy films (since Nazi's suck, and you can make so many movies with them as bad guys because you wouldn't offend anyone). Who would you pick if they were to cast a new Indiana Jones to make more films? I know sometimes casting a new actor is bad, but it worked out pretty good for James Bond, so why not Indiana Jones?
Any thoughts?

[Brian Fein]

Speaking of reviving movie franchises, heres a question:
I know they are making another Indiana Jones film, which is great cause Indy rocks! But Harrison Ford is getting old and it would be great to make many more Indy films (since Nazi's suck, and you can make so many movies with them as bad guys because you wouldn't offend anyone). Who would you pick if they were to cast a new Indiana Jones to make more films? I know sometimes casting a new actor is bad, but it worked out pretty good for James Bond, so why not Indiana Jones?
Any thoughts?

Hey!!!  This is MY debate, why you stealing my hypotheticals?!

[JVides]

Who would you pick if they were to cast a new Indiana Jones to make more films?

OK, this is based only on the fact that The Mummy was Indiana Jones-like, and the movie worked for me (well, the first one did, the second one blew).  How about Brendan Frasier?  He's only, like, 36 or so...

[Philly Fin Fan]

OK, this is based only on the fact that The Mummy was Indiana Jones-like, and the movie worked for me (well, the first one did, the second one blew).  How about Brendan Frasier?  He's only, like, 36 or so...

Ironically enough, when we watched The Mummy, my wife mentioned him for Indiana Jones. I still see him as too goofy of an actor. I think it would be best if it was an "unknown" actor. But if they went with a "name" actor, what about Matthew Fox who plays Jack on Lost? He kinda has the rugged adventurer thing going on.