WHY IS EVERYTHING A REMAKE NOWADAYS?
words by ANOUK WOUDT
Remakes, reboots, revivals – whatever you want to call them – have officially taken over the cinematic world. These days, you can guarantee that any piece of media that was popular at some point is destined to be recycled. No, reboots are not a new concept, but the extreme oversaturation of them is becoming a bit ridiculous now. Honestly, how many iterations of Harry Potter do we really need before it starts getting excessive? As we watch each one of our beloved TV shows and movies get their inevitable remake, we start to wonder when a push for originality in the media will finally break through the monotony – or has this endless cycle just become the new norm? Nostalgic classics like Malcolm in the Middle, 13 Going On 30 or Legally Blonde have remakes set to premiere this year, and those aren’t even the half of them.
all images via IMDB
What’s even more concerning is that this doesn’t affect only “the nostalgic classics,” but it has also started to happen with series that have had their finale episodes aired less than a decade ago, with Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars both being on the chopping block. The question remains: Why? There hasn’t been enough time for a new generation to become its target demographic, and the people who are fans of the original just aren’t going to be interested in what might feel like reheated leftovers. It feels too soon to be a nostalgia bait, but too late to ride on the series’ coattails, which makes it all in all a bit unnecessary.
The importance of originality seems to be slowly fading, being placed on the back burner while studios prioritise instant success. This phenomenon feels directly contradictory to the pattern we should be seeing in our hyper-technological world. Not to be another preacher in the anti-AI choir—we know the impending doom schtick can get repetitive—but it’s impossible to ignore. The rise of AI has taken a significant toll on creative industries, and it is now more important than ever that originality and genuine human creativity be put in the spotlight.
This concept is equally applicable to reboots. They are easy: the characters, world, and especially, fanbase, already exist, making it a risk-free investment that guarantees (at the very least) media visibility. Let’s face it, creating something new can generate unpredictable reactions, but it’s also what brings so much fun and excitement to this industry! Alas, with studio bigwigs calling the shots, quantity is championed above quality, time and time again, eventually distancing itself from cinema’s true purpose.
That’s not to say that originality is entirely dead. Plenty of fun, original shows have emerged, with some favourites being last year’s Adults and Overcompensating. However, this doesn’t stop the fact that an overwhelming amount of time, money, and energy is still being poured into an endless cycle of remakes and reboots, often with little regard for what the people really want. Audiences long for new stories, new characters, fresh drama in a way that only a brand-new narrative can satisfy. So, let’s maybe hit the pause button on all the remakes— at least for some time. And who knows? It might even create the next thing we will eventually reboot in ten years.
