How To Make A Belated Sequel

It has become common practice for filmmakers to strip-mine the past for pre-existing IP with a ready made fan base. This has resulted in a slew of new 'first' sequels to movies from the 80s and 90s – movies that we never thought required a second outing. In 2020, sequels that may or may not be coming your way include:

• Top Gun: Maverick (Top Gun 2)
• Beetlejuice 2
• The Rocketeers (The Rocketeer 2)
• Coming 2 America (Coming to America 2)
• Triplets (Twins 2)
• Space Jam 2

I love a good dot-point list, so here's another one of belated releases from the past few years:

• Split (Unbreakable 2)
• Doctor Sleep (The Shining 2)
• T2 Trainspotting (Trainspotting 2)
• Blade Runner 2049 (Blade Runner 2)

The fear of alienating those who are unfamiliar with the original has also precipitated the rise of the ‘soft reboot’ - films that are more remake than sequel. These films rarely adhere to a numbering system (for example, Rocky II, Rocky III, Rocky IV) but instead try to hide their numerical position in a larger franchise (Rocky Balboa, Creed). Every so often, though, a belated sequel will appear that proudly flaunts its sequelness. But does that always make for compelling viewing? Let's compare two recent examples...

The Shining, Animated: WIP

Stanley Kubrick's The Shining: Now Available in 3D!

Long before James Cameron reinvigorated the film and panel van airbrushing industry with his 2009 Sam Worthington vehicle Avatar, kids could hold a chunk of carcinogenic red plastic to their eyeballs and experience exactly what it must be like if everything was cut out of cardboard and positioned slightly apart from everything else. 

The View-Master was introduced in 1939, to a pre-war general populace who were clambering for stereoscopic images of tourist attractions. By 1981, it was standard fare in every child's toy box, with a variety of film and television licensed products available for purchase. These included you're typical 80s blockbusters, such as E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Jaws 3D, and The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. A complete list of all available titles can be found at The View-Master Ultimate Reel List.

Although View-Master reels had, for many years, been designed specifically for an adult market, by the early 80s the target audience was predominately children - which is why we never saw the films of Stanley Kubrick released as a View-Master reel set. I am slowly rectifying this oversight with the first of a series of adult-centric View-Master mock-ups, beginning with the 1980 horror classic, The Shining.

Collections Tabs Added To Obscure Pop Culture Blog.

Do you dislike words? Do you prefer your blogs to be more show and less tell? Well you're in luck - collection tabs have been added so you can now see my trading card and Read-Along mock ups in all their collated glory. Just follow the links or click the tabs at the top of the page, and you won't be bothered by words any longer.

And for those who are interested, here are some more Stand By Me trading cards, including the wax paper wrapper:

More Stand By Me Trading Cards.

Been hanging out for the next batch of fantasy trading cards based on Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's novella The Body? Well, you can now relax because the wait is over. Three more Stand By Me trading cards are complete and ready to add to your collection. You can see the first nine cards here, or simply scroll down the page to my previous entry. It's that easy!

Stand By Me Comes Of Age.

I thought I'd get a head start on the wave of nostalgia that is due for Rob Reiner's 1986 classic Stand By Me, by putting together a set of trading cards for it's 30^th anniversary. Here are the first nine cards, as they might have looked back in the day, ready for you to hoard away in box under your stairs for the next 30 years. More to come soon!