The world of filmmaking is a cutthroat business, but one that has consumed artists of all kinds since its inception. Many believe that they can break through and turn the industry on its head, before inevitably facing the harsh reality that they just can’t compare themselves to the greats before them. Some, however, presenttheirdiamond in the rough and reap the rewards for it. Instead of riding that high and accepting their well-deserved acclaim, they decided to rock the boat.
While some creators outright disassociated from the studios' propositions of any continuation of their intellectual property (and rightfully so), some slipped through the cracks by way of shoddy direct-to-video sequels or theatrical releases with an unnecessarily large budget. Of course, critics and fans of the source material wouldn’t let these big-screen blunders go by without their fair share of justified backlash. These now-forgotten sequels serve as proof that you absolutelycanhave too much of a good thing.
20Caddyshack (1980)
Caddyshack
In the summer of 1980, Doug Kenney, Brian Doyle-Murray, and Harold Ramis concocted a project based on the Murray brothers' respective experiences working at the local country club. Despite the film’s obvious technical flaws (mostly due to this being Ramis' first foray as a director),Caddyshackwas released to tepid reviews but has become looked upon more favorably due to the improvised performances of its stellar comedic talents.
This serves as the last screenwriting credit for Kenney before his unfortunate demise later that same year. Needless to say, he would be sorely disappointed if he knew the eventual fate of his property.
A Swing and a Miss
The arguable breakout star ofCaddyshackwas stand-up comedian, Rodney Dangerfield, so the next logical step in the eyes of Warner Bros. executives was a sequel with Dangerfield’s character, Al Czervik, at the center. As production onCaddyshack IIprogressed, both Dangerfield and screenwriter Harold Ramis began to lose faith in the project and stepped away entirely.
The only returning cast member was Chevy Chase, though he made it abundantly clear to his supporting cast that he was paid handsomely to do so. As suspected, the project was a critical and financial failure, and a poor attempt to capitalize on a one-of-a-kind sports comedy.RentCaddyshack IIon Apple TV.
19The Blues Brothers (1980)
The Blues Brothers
Saturday Night Livehas established itself as a powerhouse of sketch comedy, with performers such as Eddie Murphy, Jason Sudeikis, and Kate McKinnon finding their stride in 30 Rockefeller Plaza long before garnering mainstream acclaim. A biopic centered aroundSNL’s initial cast,SNL 1975, is in the works, with Matt Wood and Dylan O’Brien portraying John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, respectively. Many sketches have been adapted into feature films, but very few achieved the notoriety thatThe Blues Brothershad upon its release in 1980. It seemed unlikely that a follow-up would come to fruition without John Belushi, but Aykroyd and director John Landis felt otherwise.
An Unnecessary Encore
Blues Brothers 2000presents itself as a tribute to the late John Belushi, but with the project being released nearly 15 years after his death, it made the project feel like nothing more than a tasteless cash grab. Aykroyd reprises his role as Elwood J. Blues, with nods to Belushi’s character, “Joliet” Jake Blues, sprinkled throughout the film.
This was not necessarily Aykroyd’s, or even Belushi’s spiritual successor, John Goodman’s fault, but more so that of Universal Studios, who felt the film should be PG (as opposed to the original’s R-Rating), and believed it was imperative to introduce a child Elwood could mentor throughout the film. There were many aspects of the project that just simply didn’t work, but calling it a “tribute” isespeciallyshameful.RentBlues Brothers 2000on Apple TV.
18American Psycho (2000)
American Psycho
American Psychowas notable for many things. Drawing inspiration from Bret Easton Ellis' novel of the same name, Mary Harron’s depiction of a sociopathic investment banker with a secret double-life launched Christian Bale into the mainstream with his charming personality and ability to transition into a truly frightening individual with a lack of self-control. The film equally blended elements of humor and horror in an arthouse package, and has left audiences divided since its inception. Ellis never followed up on his bestselling novel, even after it had been adapted to the big screen, but that didn’t deter Lionsgate from releasing a sequel of their own.
American Girl in Bateman’s World
American Psycho II: All American Girl(initially entitledThe Girl Who Wouldn’t Die)was conceived as an original screenplay with no real connection to the narrative of its predecessor. Lacking most of the characteristics that made Mary Haron’s depiction so unique and engaging, American Psycho 2 presents itself as a typical revenge slasher akin to those commonly released during the 1980s. Aside from the title, the only significant connection toAmerican Psychowas a flimsy explanation of a run-in Mila Kunis' character, Rachael Newman, had with Patrick Bateman as a child that “changed her life”.
Ultimately, even if the project had maintained its original title, it wouldn’t make this dumpster fire an Oscar contender. Still, the sheer fact that it bears any connection atallto the original was a slap in the face to audiences, as well as those involved with the making of Mary Harron’s masterpiece.RentAmerican Psycho II: All American Girlon Apple TV.
American Psycho II: All American Girl
17Trainspotting (1996)
Trainspotting
Danny Boyle has become one of the most credible directors of this generation. With films dating back to the early ’90s and plans to expand on his28 Daysfranchise, it’s not surprising that he could depict such a compelling yet comedic story about coping with sobriety when adapting Irvine Welsh’sTrainspotting. The project put Ewan McGregor on the map and received immense acclaim from critics and fans for its accurate portrayal of heroin recovery. Irvine Welsh wrote a follow-up toTrainspottingentitledPorno, set 10 years after the events of the first installment, but, arguably, that one should have remainedsolelyon the printed page.
An Unfortunate Relapse
T2 Trainspottingtook certain liberties in adapting Irvine Welsh’s source material, most of which highlight just how redundant this sequel truly is. Danny Boyle didn’t feelPornowas an appropriate successor to the world he was building (making that known long before production of the sequel went underway) and ultimately went his own way with the story. Despite this,T2 Trainspottingwas released to mostly positive reviews, and Danny Boyle continues to express interest in expanding the franchise well beyond Irvine Welsh’s novels. WhileT2 Trainspottingisn’t an inherentlybadmovie, it feels like too little, too late.RentT2 Trainspottingon Apple TV.
T2 Trainspotting
16Darkman (1990)
Before Sam Raimi took the helm of Sony’sSpider-Manfranchise in the early 2000s, he was recognized for his efforts as an Indie filmmaker.Evil DeadandEvil Dead 2were met with equal praise and backlash for their over-the-top gore factor with elements of Three Stooges inspiration sprinkled in for comedic effect. Raimi, however, never reallywantedto be known for his work in the horror genre.
He soon expressed interest in making a movie based on Batman or The Shadow, but, unable to secure the rights to those properties, opted to create an original character withDarkman. The project accumulated a cult following, and Universal felt the next logical step was to launch a television series based on the character, to no avail. Without Raimi’s continued involvement and very little financial backing,Darkman’s fate was in the hands of the direct-to-video market.
A Victim of the Direct-to-Video Fad
TheDarkmanfranchise spawned not one, buttwodirect-to-video sequels based on Raimi’s work (both of which he had little to no involvement in). The first sequel was aptly titledDarkman II: The Return of Durant, with Larry Drake reprising his role as Durant from the first film. Arnold Vosloo takes over forDarkman’s original lead, Liam Neeson, inDarkman IIas well as inDarkman III: Die Darkman Die, and in the context of the original film’s ending, actually made perfect sense for the ongoing narrative. While those involved did the best they could with what they were given, these sequels just couldn’t replicate what made Sam Raimi’s initial effort so special.RentDarkman IIandDarkman IIIon Starz with Apple TV.
15Basic Instinct (1992)
Basic Instinct
In 1992, Paul Verhoeven’sBasic Instinctcaptivated and divided audiences for its controversial depiction of overt sexuality and unique approach to the neo-noir genre. Amidst behind-the-scenes conflicts during production and numerous script rewrites, Sharon Stone signed on to portray crime novelist, Catherine Tramell, after many notable actresses declined to take on the contentious role.
The project continues to be discussed at length by critics and fans alike, and alternate versions of the film have been released in various forms of media since its inception. While the originalBasic Instinctwas without a doubt influential for the genre, its legacy was tarnished by a lackluster sequel that didn’t need to happen.
Poor Instincts
Production forBasic Instinct 2had been underway since the early 2000s (already a bit of a stretch considering the original’s 1992 release date) before being canceled outright in 2001. Sharon Stone had made previous arrangements with MGM to receive a hefty payout, regardless if the project was released or not. Many who worked on the film cited Stone’s egotistical attitude as a frequent point of contention during the sequel’s production, including director Michael Caton-Jones, who later admitted working with her was “a painful experience”.
For whatever reason, Stone had a significant say in which male actors should be cast opposite to her, as well as who would be involved with the production. Following the abysmal ratingsBasic Instinct 2rightfully received, Sharon Stone had stated that she would be open to returning to the franchise, but this time in the director’s chair. Hopefully,thistime, she will come to her senses and focus on other business ventures.StreamBasic Instinct 2on Showtime.
Basic Instinct 2
14Cabin Fever (2002)
Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever
Many modern horror movie directors have credited Sam Raimi’sEvil Deadtrilogy as inspiration for their work, most notably Eli Roth. From his humble beginnings as a production assistant on Howard Stern’sPrivate Parts, Roth set out to release his love letter to Raimi’s iconic franchise withCabin Fever.
The project paid homage to Raimi’s initial efforts while telling a unique and hilarious modern take on the formula.Cabin Feverinitially drew mixed acclaim from critics but has since garnered a cult following, with directors such as Peter Jackson and Quentin Tarantino expressing their admiration for Roth’s first foray into the genre. Long before his work onXandPearl, director Ti West was tasked with taking the helm ofCabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, a project that he disowns to this day.
Blood on the Dance Floor
In the first of two sequels (and an eventual reboot),Cabin Fever 2has little connection to the events of the first film butdoesfeature a cameo appearance fromCabin Fever’s original lead, Rider Strong that is so bizarre and unnecessary that it should have just remained on the cutting room floor. The sequel adopts the flesh-eating virus storyline from the original, this time in a prom setting with an entirely new cast. Production for the sequel proved to be a tumultuous experience, with Ti West citing excessive creative interference as a frequent issue.
There have been four total installments to the franchise, with the last one being a shot-for-shot remake of the original. No announcements have been made regarding further installments ofCabin Fever, but with a series of lackluster attempts to capitalize on the original, it’s safe to assume the franchise will continue to lie dormant.
13The Mask (1994)
Long before Jim Carrey donned the green mask and yellow suit,The Maskwas a violent and dour series of comic books published by Dark Horse Comics. A total departure from the source material, the 1994 film adaptation leaned more into the humor of the character, and proved to be a critical and financial success, subsequently launching its female lead, Cameron Diaz, to mainstream stardom.
Following the success of the original, rumblings of an upcoming sequel entitledThe Mask IIcame to light in the pages of Nintendo Power before inevitably being scrapped when Carrey declined to return for the role. The franchise remained stagnant before finding a new lead in comedian Jamie Kennedy, and, to a lesser extent, a CGI dog.
Plastic Hair and Fanfare
There were a select few high-profile actors who were approached to take on the role of Tim Avery inSon of the Mask, the most notable of whom being Matthew Lillard and Ryan Reynolds. After other projects of his fell through, Jamie Kennedy signed on as the film’s lead. Kennedy himself was reluctant to portray the titular character, but Jim Carrey encouraged him to take on the project.
Kennedy has since spoken of his dreadful experience working onSon of The Maskin great detail on his YouTube channel, in a series of videos titledSon of the Mask: The Untold Story, in which he lays out difficulties with child actors, filling Jim Carrey’s shoes, and script revisions that changed Kennedy’s original outline completely. Needless to say, his disdain towards the project is justified, and it seems highly unlikely that New Line Cinema would take a stab at the franchise once more.RentSon of the Maskon Apple TV.
Son of the Mask
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
1992 was a pivotal year for veteran performer Harvey Keitel, particularly in the world of indie films. At one end of the spectrum, Keitel was making cinema history as Mr. White in Quentin Tarantino’sReservoir Dogs, and on the other, a gritty story of a corrupt cop realizing the errors of his ways in Abel Ferrara and Zoë Lund’sBad Lieutenant. The project barely made back its budget, but is now widely regarded as Ferrara’s definitive film, and one of Keitel’s strongest performances. The sequel, while not necessarily bad, is a sequel in name alone, and further proof of the harsh reality that Hollywood is slowly running out of ideas.
Worse Lieutenant?
Development forBad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleansbegan in the Spring of 2008, with Nicolas Cage and his Ghost Rider counterpart, Eva Mendes, set to portray the film’s leads, and Werner Herzog at the helm. From its inception, Herzog was adamant that the sequel was an entirely original story, even admitting that he never even saw Abel Ferrara’s initial effort. Ferrara publicly expressed his disdain towards those responsible for the project, until the two directors sat down and discussed Herzog’s intention with the film.
Despite the public perception of remakes in Hollywood,Port of Call New Orleanswas released to rave reviews, with particular praise for Cage’s performance as the eponymous “Bad Lieutenant”. Would this project have made more sense with a unique title? Who’s to say? But those who enjoyed Harvey Keitel’s depiction ofBad Lieutenantwill be pleasantly surprised at Cage’s interpretation.Stream on Hulu.
11Donnie Darko (2001)
Donnie Darko
Jake Gyllenhaal continues to be one of the more bankable stars of this generation, and that notoriety might not have been possible without Richard Kelly’sDonnie Darko. While not a smash hit at the box office and reviews relatively mixed upon its release, Donnie Darko eventually found its footing once it made its way to the masses via DVD and VHS, with an eventual director’s cut released not long after.
Despite being an independent film, Kelly was unable to maintain the distribution rights to Donnie Darko, and, therefore, subsequent projects based on the property. With 20th Century Fox now in possession of said distribution rights, production forS. Darkowas underway (without the blessing of Richard Kelly).
A Redundant Spin-Off
Those who have seenDonnie Darkoknow just how ridiculous the idea of a sequel is, especially considering how complex the original was. Even the most devout fans of the film have discussed its overall meaning at length. Director Chris Fisher’s interpretation of the world surroundingDarko(in this case, Donnie’s sister, Samantha) just felt watered down, highlighting the more superficial elements of Richard Kelly’s initial effort, rather than the underlying meaning of these surreal events.S. Darkowas a critical and financial failure and a poor attempt at franchising a film that just didn’t need it.BuyS. Darkoon Apple TV.
