How Hollywood’s obsession with remaking old favorites is a big moneymaker

Releasing new movies based on our old favorite characters has been a tried and trusted way for Hollywood to keep us coming back to the movies.

Studio bosses know nostalgia is good for business, said Clint Dreiberg, a film expert and host of Radio Nova’s “Man in the Movies” program.

“Making a film that has been tried, tested or loved before again makes good business sense,” he said.

Among the most notable remakes to hit screens last year were Disney’s live-action version of The Little Mermaid and Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“For someone in their 30s and 40s, like me, this was a big problem when we were kids,” Driberg said.

“So, at the age where these people have their own kids, going to see a remake with your kids of something that was released when you were a kid makes for an easy win for the movie companies.”

It’s a way for studios to introduce new audiences to the same previously beloved story, and for parents to introduce their children to characters they loved when they were young, he said.

Film expert and Entertainment.ie film editor Brian Lloyd said it was a way for studios to play it safe.

“The most important thing is that studios avoid taking risks, because something that is truly original and unique is always at risk of rejection by the audience. With a remake, it is more convenient,” he said.

Many Disney productions these days include live-action remakes of their animated classics, e.g The Lion King, Mulan or Cruella.

“They attract a lot of star power. the king lion “I had a vocal team that included Beyoncé, for example, but there always seemed to be something missing from them,” Mr. Lloyd said.

“It probably has to do with the fact that stories are written for animation, and animation has no limits to the imagination, whereas live action always works within the confines of our world – even with CGI and all the rest of it.” He said.

The rise of remakes is also due to the popularity of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon or Disney+.

Mr Drieberg said we are seeing more old TV series being remade due to viewer demands on streaming platforms.

“It makes business sense,” he said.

The longest running franchises include iconic characters and superheroes such as James Bond, Sherlock Holmes, and Batman.

For example, Batman has been rebooted or appeared in more than 30 films and TV series, including those scheduled for release next year.

“These franchises keep coming back with a little new twist, a new story, a spin-off or a spin-off,” he said.

Typical characters like James Bond or Sherlock Holmes could be brought into a new story with a new villain, Lloyd said. “They can run forever,” he said.

Many of these franchises are trying to follow what Marvel has done and star Wars You did a good job, creating a cinematic world.

“Here’s the thing again, it’s all about the money,” Driberg said.

“George Lucas created it star Wars He made three very good films that the world loved.

“Then they gave him more money, and he made two films that weren’t very well received by the world, but there he was star Wars films.

“Then Disney came in with a truckload of money and bought the whole concept star Wars From George Lucas, he now produces films and TV shows for Disney+.

“It worked because again, you have that original idea that was loved and adored, even if it was for three films in the ’70s and ’80s,” he said.

Mr. Driberg said it’s all about “keeping the idea alive” because remakes are much more than just movies.

“It’s not just about the movie, we’re talking about Comic Con, games, lunch boxes, merchandise, and Happy Meals at McDonald’s.

“Buy Disney star Wars I mean they can make it star Wars Riding horses at Disneyland, which they actually did.

“George Lucas’s great idea star Wars All those years ago will continue long after he’s dead and gone, and people will debate whether or not it was true star Wars There’s still nothing good out there, but it’ll still be there.

“You will still make money, and there will be something new star Wars “A movie every year or so,” he said.