So I’m watching T.V. last night and an ad for an upcoming movie comes on. It stars Cate Blanchett and Russel Crowe and is directed by none other than Ridley Scott. Now without getting intimate, I’m a HUGE Ridley Scott fan. In that I’ll usually watch anything he’s involved in just because, well, it’s Ridley Scott.
But I probably won’t see this film, despite the talented cast, awesome director and production company. Why? Well, because it’s Robin Hood. That’s right, Robin Hood. Didn’t we just have a Robin Hood film? Now I know Hollywood goes in cycles, one year it’s dog films, then asteroid films etc. But Robin Hood? Again?
According to IMDB there has been 23 Robin Hood films or TV series (mostly films) in the last 40 years. Thats alot. So why do we need another one? Simple. Money. Or rather, the risk of losing it. The whole purpose of a franchise in business is to provide a proven model, brand and product to the franchisee. Why open a local burger joint that will probably fail when you can open a McDonald’s that will probably succeed? And in some ways that makes sense. At least for fast food, quick printers, office supplies and so forth.
But does it make sense for art? Wouldn’t we all be way more excited about a new Ridley Scott film in a new environment and setting with the opportunity for new iconic characters and stories? Of course in the modern world those too are quickly franchised to maximize profit. (Hi Matrix – I’m talking about you.)
Now I can hear people saying “What about Shakespeare? Or Pinter? Or any other of the great playwrights whose work is constantly repurposed? Are they franchises? Why don’t you criticize them?” And the very simple answer is “No. They’re not.” You see plays need to be constantly repurposed for two reasons. One, they’re performed live. Not filmed. So if you want to see it live, it needs to be on. You can’t rent a Shakespeare production in your living room for Friday night. Two, with some limited exceptions, noone edits Shakespeare’s work. There may be some editorial or production wiggle room, but “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” always has the same words. Noone tries to ‘reboot’ Shakespeare.
Thank God.
Please Hollywood, give us more new content to enjoy. I know it’s safe to do Terminator XXII and Batman The Elderly Knight and that’s ok too. But if you try and make Blade Runner II – I will kill you.
