Can We Get A Prequel To The Sequel's Prequel's Sequel?

Here's a shocker for you: I love movies. So much that this blog might as well just focus on movies. Though a huge part of that is due to the fact that I want to try and reach 50 movies for the year like I did last year, and blogging makes great practice should I ever become a film reviewer, regardless of how low a probability that is.

In any case, I want to take a break from looking at the latest releases (next week I will resume reviewing the newest films to hit my shore) and talk about something that caught my eye.

I was reading a magazine I got from work (one we would have thrown out anyway) and in the back, they had a poll taken from a site called GlobalGrind (I tried looking on the site to see if there was an article or poll about it but was unable to find it) about the movies that people wanted to see a sequel or prequel to the most. The ten listed were:

1. Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
2. Fight Club
3. Finding Nemo
4. Coming To America
5. 21 Jump Street
6. Boyz N The Hood
7. Office Space
8. Baby Boy
9. The Goonies
10. Zombieland

I have to say, quite surprised at a few entires on this list. I expected things that were already sequels, like the desire for another Rambo or another Crank movie (I have no idea what the kids are into these days, is Crank even a franchise anymore? Never seen it, so I can only speculate).

When I first read the list, I immediately sat down and thought how many of these could work as a sequel. And so I decided, I'd blog about that. And I will ask right from the start: who wants prequels to these? Honestly, I don't see any of them working as a prequel. Hell, if you go the route of “Movie Title: The Beginning” or something, Fight Club's not even viable. And there's no Nemo to find in a prequel, since at the start of the movie, we see him as an egg.

But enough about that, let's talk sequels.

-Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy

Well, this one is already getting a sequel, so either this list happened a month ago or the news hasn't spread like wildfire, which I would have assumed it had. And quite frankly, I am extremely excited at the prospect of a sequel, since it was announced in 2010 that the script for the sequel had been pitched, and director Adam McKay had said that actors Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell would take pay cuts to see this happen. And you have to wonder, when the actors willingly slash their own price, isn't that what the studios like to hear, since it means more money for them to buy solid gold toilets or whatever stupid crap they buy?

But eventually, a deal was reached, and the fandom rejoiced. Can the sequel work? I say if the major players are back, damn right it can! I mean, if they had the script ready and the actors are really eager to do it again, then it has to be good. So much can still go wrong but I'm being optimistic about this one. You might even say I'm a glass case of emotion. You may now throw your eggs at me for that remark.

-Fight Club

General rule: if the book you're filming lacks a sequel, chances are any movie sequels not based on sequels to the book will suck (I call it the “Stephen King no book sequel” rule). Last I checked, Chuck Palahnuik's never done a sequel to any of his books. Some may be set in the same universe, I'm not sure of that, but that's the closest you would get.

Also, why would Fight Club need a sequel? Most people remember it for the done-to-death “First rule of Fight Club” line and that shows why a sequel is a bad idea: most people probably didn't get the bigger picture and what the movie set out to do. Now, not everybody is going to see eye to eye and some movies have that many different interpretations, you could make so many different cuts to that effect, but I get the feeling people were watching it and going “Hurrr, Brad Pitt kicked that guy's ass! Whoa, explosions!” So, no. No sequel. There's nothing to go on, not unless Chuck's doing a book sequel or writes the movie's script himself. And in those cases, I may reconsider.

• Finding Nemo.

Why do I get the feeling if this did happen it would actually have a 2 at the end? Even worse, it would be a rehash of the first film. And I have to say, as good as it is, PIXAR has done better. A lot better. And I'm someone who thinks Toy Story 3 is a must-see but it wasn't even my favourite animated film of 2010 (Hell, I liked Despicable Me better. On that note, I am really keen to see the sequel to that one). Also, if you are going to do a sequel to a PIXAR movie, why not The Incredibles 2? There is so much potential for story and character growth that I can't believe PIXAR hasn't jumped at the chance. I mean, as much as I will never turn down a PIXAR film, did we need Cars 2? I mean, I haven't seen it yet, but Cars is my least favourite so far, mostly because the theme's old hat and they don't really try anything new with it. And Monsters University? A prequel? Seriously? Look, I'm going to give it a chance but I'm actually worried about that one. Brave, on the other hand, looks more promising.

• Coming To America

As much as I enjoyed the movie, I just don't see how a sequel would work. What would it be called, “Back To America”? Why would we need to go back?

• 21 Jump Street

Haven't seen it, do not want to see it (Jonah Hill AND Channing Tatum? And based on a show I've never seen and have no interest in? Where do I sign up to get away from it?!) but chances are, a sequel is likely. But seriously guys, it's only been... how long ago did it get released? Two months? Three? Just give it some time. It'll happen. Unfortunately for me.

• Boyz N The Hood

Don't know if this makes me lose my movie viewing cred, but I haven't seen this yet (key word “yet”). There are that many films I want to see that some will often be forgotten, and with more movies coming out in cinemas and on DVD all the time, that just makes things harder.

As for a sequel... check the entry below the next one.

• Office Space

I've seen this one, do I get my cred back? This one's great, what with the red staplers and Michael Bolton jokes, but again, what can a sequel do? I'm not saying I wouldn't see one, just that you'll have to convince me it can be done and done properly. A spin-off sequel, maybe.

• Baby Boy

So, according to the Wikipedia entry, this is a spiritual sequel to Boyz N The Hood.

Now, while a spiritual sequel may not be the same as a direct sequel, that's as close as you're going to get, so I don't know why they even counted Boyz N The Hood in the first place. Face it, neither are getting a sequel. But then, we thought Hobgoblins would just die and stay dead and we were proven wrong...

• The Goonies

Damn it, I guess I lose my cred again! I've never seen this. I don't think I even know what it's about. Something about kids and treasure and shuffling of truffles and chunks and a sloth? Seriously, this was never a thing for me and the people I grew up with. Maybe it's an American thing.

But despite all that, a sequel's not something I'd say is stupid. I mean, if it has this big a fanbase, I can't say the well can't produce another one like it. I don't like the chances but what do I know?

• Zombieland

Aaaaaand, I take my cred back, thank you very much! Not only have I seen this one, I think it's great! Do I want a sequel? Hell yes I do! Last I read, they were planning either a sequel or a TV series. If the series can't retain the leads, don't do it. If they can, GIMME GIMME GIMME!

Well, that was fun. Maybe some day I should create a list of the top 10 movies I want to see sequels to. You know, I just might do that. In the meantime, what movies would you like to see continued and what do you think of the movies listed above and their chances at a sequel?