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I think we are all aware of remakes being made constantly. It seems like we’re always getting a new announcement. From the trend of making Disney princess movies into live action to the remake of Harry Potter that is coming out soon. Something in one shape or another is getting redone.
Why is that? And why aren’t we getting more original IP?
Simple answer. Financial Stability.
Companies aren’t willing to take a risk on original movies. Despite the success of movies like Sinners and the Avatar movies (for which they are looking to shorten the runtime when making the third), they simply don’t trust it.
Now, to note that when I mean remakes, I personally do not entirely mean the media switch from books to television and film. That type of media switch to me isn’t totally considered a remake. It’s different seeing a book be shown on screen for the first time (no matter animated, live action, etc.) than seeing an already-made movie be made again as another movie or a TV show.
That being the case for me personally, companies are still more willing to take a chance on existing stories with a fanbase than on something completely original. It’s sad due to the fact that there are so many people who create for film and TV specifically who may have good stories to tell without being given a proper chance. Yes, original stories do come out and push through this era of remakes, but not as much as they should. Companies do not often care about creativity, but simply about profit.
That being said… who is the audience for these remakes?
Well, it’s most of the general public. There seems to be a remake made to cater to most genres and people. Many will watch the Harry Potter remake, even those mad about the changes, even to simply complain about them. Disney movie remakes will always have an audience, as even if people worry about them being good, they’ll want to see the outcome. The gaming space has entered the world of movie remakes with the success of Sonic and Mario.
There is always going to be a remake in some shape or form that is going to have an audience. Until people get sick of them or truly see the value of original media, this culture of remakes is likely to continue.
In no way do I believe we should totally condemn remakes. There are plenty of things that would be interesting to see remade that could do better in live action or deserve an animation upgrade. I simply believe that there should be a much larger focus on the creation of original films and shows. A balance between both, per se.
Often, when people discuss remakes, they mention the time frame that has passed since the original. If it’s not the fact that it wasn’t needed at all, it is that not enough time has passed since the original for it to be done.
So… what is the proper time frame before a remake should be created?
I don’t have an answer for this one, as I think that everyone’s opinion is different. For me, it can honestly depend on the project, its popularity, and how well it was executed. Honestly, I’m not sure if there is a definitive answer to such a question. I also think that there will always be a group that believes that not enough time has passed before something has been remade.
There is also something to be said about the way remakes tend to be used as an excuse to adultify certain media in a sexual manner. Especially remakes of cartoons. Velma is a prime example of this, and while I love the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles live-action(2014), it has its moments as well. While some shows can tap into some more mature aspects due to the nature of their stories for remakes, in no way should that honestly involve sexual aspects. More often than not, people get excited for certain remakes to have a more mature tone because of the serious storyline insinuated within the original. Mature remakes for the sake of vulgarity are, in my opinion, pointless and quite frankly should not be condoned.
Remakes, if done with care, proper research of their main audience (while of course still catering to fresh faces), and proper writing, could very well create not only better movies and shows but also improve the culture significantly. Balancing remakes and original IP prevents audiences from the burnout that they currently experience with remake culture. Remakes, in my opinion, aren’t inherently a bad thing; they just need to be handled with more care.
For a fun little tidbit ending, I personally think that Danny Phantom would be an interesting remake to see. Exploring the horror aspects as well as some of the more mature themes that could stem from Danny’s transformation and possible grief around the change of his identity and body. Done with care, a mature remake of the show could be well-received and a great story.
That’s all from me! Let me know what you think!
~Amiyah
