Stunning news out of Hollywood: Disney won’t be making a sequel to the hugely popular rom-com “The Proposal.”
Hard to believe, right?
The industry sequelizes every property it can, or reboots existing properties to kick-start the next franchise in waiting.
Before you cluck your tongue consider this: why wouldn’t Hollywood follow exactly this path?
Sequels sell. So do reboots and remakes. The number of misfires are far exceeded by the hits. So it makes perfect sense for movie studios to pour their resources into sure things.
That begs the question: why are remakes/reboots/sequels sure things?
I can only answer for myself, but I suspect my views reflect those of more than a few movie goers.
For starters, movies remain primarily a form of escapism. When I’m engrossed in a movie I’m not thinking about my next deadline or the fact that Lil’ WWTW isn’t walking yet even though he’s a year old (he’s getting close, by the by).
I’m lost in the movie, period.
But just as important as escaping reality is the feeling of comfort movies give me. And sequels and reboots are nothing if not the ultimate comfort meal.
It’s reassuring to see old friends back on the big screen (“Rocky Balboa”), or freshly scrubbed actors pretending to be the actors we watched as children (the “Star Trek” reboot).
Going to the movies requires overcoming a series of hurdles – what showing should we see? who will we invite? Do we have a babysitter for the kids? Will there be traffic en route to the theater?
Picking a remake or sequel takes away one possible choice, a minor but helpful way to make the movie going experience a bit easier.
And then there’s the “Gilligan” factor. During college I craved reruns of “Gilligan’s Island.” I knew every plot and rarely laughed at the castaways’ hijinks. But it was the most uncomplicated entertainment I could find, and I gobbled it up accordingly.
I suspect, ultimately, the average sequel/remake/reboot offers the same emotional cushion.
(“The Proposal” starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds, is the rare hit that won’t spawn a sequel.”)
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