So you have a successful format. Maybe it’s a book that’s sold well, a movie that people really liked or a TV show that’s popular. Wouldn’t it be good if people in other countries could enjoy it, too? Wouldn’t it be great if movie watchers who don’t read books could get to enjoy your story anyway? And if enough time has passed, maybe that old version of your TV show or movie is starting to look a little dated and a whole new generation would like to see it updated.
But will it ever be as good or should the original stay as it is?
This week’s question then is:
Should your book/TV show/movie be remade?
UK show Life on Mars has already been remade in the US and is being remade in Spain and other countries. Clash of the Titans has just been remade. The Harry Potter books have been turned into variable-quality movies. Canadian TV show Being Erica is about to be remade in Britain. And Survivors, a British updating of a 1970s TV show, has been cancelled after two series.
In most of these cases the remakes have been terrible. Sure, there’s the occasional Battlestar Galactica that’s better than the original. But do you think the hit rate is so low that people should simply be encouraged to come up with new ideas? Or do remakes help to keep ideas culturally relevant for new generations?
As always, leave a comment with your answer or a link to your answer on your own blog.
