I HAVE TO SAY…

Podcast Episode #4! To listen to the full episode, click here, otherwise, happy reading!

Below is an abridged version of the episode.

Today, I have to say, I want more movies and television shows with original content!

I’ll be the first to admit it’s a little hypocritical of me to say this since I spent the last two weeks talking about Heated Rivalry and Wicked, but it’s how I feel.

There have been some adaptations that have been amazing. I mean I’ve spent an entire month raving about Heated Rivalry to anyone who will listen. Interview with the Vampire, based on Anne Rice’s novels, is one of my favorite television shows of all time, and the Princess Diaries 2 still makes me smile. 

But, lately it feels like there’s more nostalgia projects, universes being expanded, and adaptations out there than original content, at least in mainstream American tv and film. 

We just got Freakier Friday and we’re getting The Devil Wears Prada 2, and maybe a year ago, maybe not, I don’t know what time is, we got Zac Efron commenting on his old roles, including the High School Musical franchise in a sit down interview, and while I truly appreciate the call backs and it does raise my spirits, I still crave something…different.

Question

I was thinking about any original shows or movies that I’ve seen in the last three years, and of course Sinners comes to mind, which if you haven’t seen Sinners go watch it. Immediately! I’m serious. Run! I’m a scaredy-cat and I love that movie so bad! I saw it two or three times in theatres, and I’m not the type of person to watch a movie multiple times in the theatre, but I did it for Sinners and it was worth it every single time.

I will be talking more about Sinners in a few weeks, it’s going to be getting its own episode, but those 16 Oscar nominations are well deserved.

Anyway, I was thinking about original content in tv and movies, and besides Sinners nothing really came to mind at first, so I asked my brother because I view him as like a certified movie person. He tends to know what’s going on in the movie space, so I asked him, and then he brought up The Creator starring John David Washington which came out in 2023.

Beyond that, off the top of our heads, we couldn’t really think of anything, so we looked it up and we started naming off movies that came out in the past 3 years that were popular.

And that included:

Barbie, which was based on a toy, 

Oppenheimer, based on a historical event, 

Dune, a book adaptation,

Avatar The Way of Water, an expansion of a universe,

Wicked and Wicked For Good a musical adaption based off of a movie based off a book.

And even Bugonia with Emma Stone that just came out is a remake of a South Korean film!

Of course there have been original projects like K-Pop Demon Hunters, it’s actually kind of ridiculous that we forgot that exists considering how amazing it is and it’s like all my daughter watched for a month, but even that movie is due to get a sequel. I’m not exactly mad at it, but it is proving my point a little about how even original movies don’t stay standalones for long.

So, why don’t studios invest in original IP in the same way that they do adaptations or IP that exists? Why doesn’t original content become mainstream in the same way?

Are Studios the Problem?

To be clear, when I say original IP, I mean movies mainly but also television shows that aren’t based on books, musicals, or historical events and aren’t remakes of previous movies and shows or remakes of international movies and shows and aren’t a sequel or prequel to an existing movie.

When it comes to tropes and how movies play out, sometimes things happen that make it predictable, but that’s not always an issue, for me, at least when it’s done in a way that makes sense. There are times though where movies feel generic, like carbon copies of each other with a different name and I’m not knocking it, but I want more space to be made for movies that are different.

There’s tons of original ideas out there and there always will be. And sure, some of these ideas become indie projects and some creators don’t want to be mainstream, but I find it hard to believe that original ideas are rarely pitched to American studios and distributors.

I think about the success of Sinners and K-Pop Demon Hunters because those are two movies that showed people will show up and show out for amazing movies, regardless if there is IP attached to it or not. Those movies showed that there is a market for projects that are original and different, even if they are inspired from existing material.

We as an audience can tell when the people who are a part of a project are thoughtful about the choices they make and are passionate about the project and the story they are trying to tell. To me, one reason movies or television shows fall short is because these things are missing, and that includes original IP that isn’t treated with care.

I think about the Marvel Universe and how exciting and fun it felt when the first Avengers movie came up all the way to Infinity War and Endgame. For me, those movies felt purposeful, telling their own stories and showing off these characters and weaving the plot lines within each other to tell an even bigger story. It felt like appointment tv, but in movie form like I was rushing to the theatre to avoid spoilers. And then post Thanos, that thing that made those movies exciting faded away. It felt like Marvel became more about pushing out content and making money and the universe lost the thing that made it special in the first place. 

It just feels like studios don’t value and reward creativity anymore, unless it’s a big name director like James Cameron, people aren’t given the space to be creative or try something new. It’s giving fast fashion, like “this works, so let’s just pump out remake after remake, movie number 2 after movie number 2, and let’s look at books for ideas too” instead of looking to hire or back people who have created something new.

We get the same comic book characters made into movies, the same generic action movies, two superhero movies in one year, ANOTHER star wars show…is it too much to ask for something a little different?

Why do studios gravitate towards movie number 6 in a series, and book adaptations, and remakes?

Are they trying to control a narrative? Are they afraid to take risks? Or were we right before and it really is all about money?  I mean we, yes including me, eat up reimagined existing IP and taking IP that already exists usually means there is a built in fanbase which so that’s less monet to spend in marketing.  Maybe this is also why studios feel like they need a well known celebrity in their movie.

But even then, there’s no guarantee the project will actually be good or perform well because it’s about the quality of the thing and not who is in it or what it’s based on. I guess studios would rather lose money with something they know than something that they don’t know. Maybe they think it’s not worth the risk to back something new. But between us, it also wouldn’t surprise me if they find it easier to remake things than allow original IP to exist that goes against narratives this country likes to push.

Are We the Problem?

But if it really is all about money and studios are just responding to a need, does that mean that we are the problem?

I mean Fast & Furious still has a dedicated fanbase, even after taking a trip to space. There’s an audience for every Star Wars spinoff, and even after Secret Invasion, I’m still tuning in to Marvel projects, hoping they’ll get their groove back.

We always want more, or at least will entertain more, because of whatever connection we form to the world, the actors, the characters, or the story.  I mean I love a series, especially in books. I love when stories are independently interconnected or directly connected and tend to root for authors and producers to expand their universe, but there are times when it’s not needed. Let’s be real.

Like, did we really need a Now You See Me 3? Honestly, did we really need a Now You See Me 2? And I’m saying this as someone who loovves the first one. 

I can’t say enough that Heated Rivalry was a masterclass in book adaptations and it’s made me think of all the books I’ve read that I actually NEED and would love to see turned into a television series or movie.

Our need for more is part of why fan fiction is so popular, because we love a thing so much that we need different versions of it. We become inspired and want to create based on characters and worlds we love and we want to consume different and spicier variations of it. 

And honestly, there are movies and tv shows we watch because of the nostalgia of it. I was tuned in for the 10 Things I Hate About You tv show even though nothing can beat the original movie, which is based on existing IP because it’s a modern retelling of Shakespear’s Taming of the Shrew.

So maybe studios gravitate towards existing IP because we always want more and we respond to adaptations, remakes, universe expansions and the like.

Is it About Access?

But is it possible we’re responding to what is easily accessible to us. With streaming services, I’m watching less cable and so I don’t see as many trailers as I used to because the ads are more product based. I have to go out of my way to look traitors up more often than not, so when a movie is being marketed, what I’m seeing are funny clips between the actors on their press tour and pink and green drinks at Applebees and the word of mouth of other people on social media.

Now that I think about it, when I was younger movie theaters actually used to be my main source for knowing what movies were due to come out within the year, but I don’t go to theatres nearly as much as I used to. In general, people haven’t been going to the theaters as much l since covid, and with the prices, I don’t blame anyone.

It was probably always like this, but I feel like especially now, a project doesn’t have the budget to invest in the different marketing channels limits its exposure.

You would think that with streaming services, our access to movies should be easier, but I think now that there are so many streaming services, it actually makes it harder. Not everyone can afford every streaming service and every streaming service has so many offerings. They’re oversaturated with content and after a long day, sometimes it’s easier to go for your comfort show or movie that you’ve seen a million times, then put on something new.

Also, lately it feels like streaming services aren’t giving shows any time to breathe and gain a following anymore. I watched Kaos on Netflix maybe a month after it came out and fell in love with it, only to get the news a few weeks later that the show had been cancelled. 

And with so many streaming services with so much content, it has to be filtered somehow. Unless you’re looking for something specific, you’re scrolling through what the algorithm offers you, and that puts everyone in their own bubble, whether that bubble is international shows, or remakes, or shows from the 2010s.

And since existing IP usually has a dedicated fanbase already, their love spreads and pushes these projects to the forefront, leaving the original IP to fade into the background.

It can be hard to know what is truly out there because there is so much out there and you would never know what you’re missing out on because the algorithm is kind of designed that way.

I think we all, from us as viewers to studios to distributors and streaming services have a role to play in this IP vs. original content situation. And since studios have the money to put behind marketing, they kind of get to push what becomes mainstream and in some cases made here in the US and what doesn’t.

Original/Expanded IP & Adapted IP

And though I’ve started this conversation, and it may seem like I’m pitting original and existing IP against each other, I’m not saying that one is better than the other or that I like one better than the other. I’ve already said it, but it’s because I can’t stress enough that I don’t have beef with existing IP or anyone who loves it because I too, am a victim to the grip that nostalgia and world expansion has on us.

Of course there are other original projects that exist besides Sinners and K Pop Demon Hunters, and as I’ve researched more and jogged my memory, there are some original IP that have become mainstream like Elemental, Tenet, Megan, and Bottoms. Well I don’t know if Bottoms is mainstream mainstream, but I feel like everyone has at least heard of it.

I just wish that we got a more equal mix of both existing and original IP and I didn’t have to go digging to find new and exciting ideas. I wish major distributors would invest in creative and unique stories, and not attempt to water them down and rip the heart out of them. And I wish studios and writers and producers had the restraint and the strength to say “enough is enough” and surrender to the fact that there is no more story left to tell. Because, I’m sorry, how did we go from street racing to space. I’ll  just never get over it.

My Beef with Adaptations

Wait, actually I do have beef with adaptations, but it’s different than you think. I HATE it when adaptations take creative liberties that are detrimental to the source material is all about.

I understand that adaptations have to take bits and pieces from the source material. Like there is no way every scene from it can make it into the television or movie. As I said in the Heated Rivalry episode, it’s actually a pet peeve of mine when people are nitpicky about what scenes and details make it and what doesn’t, because the constant comparison is actually ruining your own viewing experience when it’s a miniscule detail.

And also, side note, the plight of adaptations is that it has to stand alone. I personally believe there should be some sort of homage to the loyal fanbase that exists, but it’s unreasonable to assume that everyone who watches the adaptation will know the source material and know it intimately.  Adaptations are actually a great way to attract new audiences, and it’s alienating if the adaptation only serves those who already know the material. You know an adaptation is good when you don’t even know it’s based on anything because it feels that complete.

So, bringing in information that happens from the source but not in the movie or tv show is sometimes not the best approach because you never know if it was intentionally left out of the adaptation or not unless the director, producer, writer, or whatever says it exists in the adaptation world.

But anyway, what I’m talking about is specifically when a tv show or a movie adaptation fundamentally changes what the story is about. I mean they change details that change the messaging and water down what the source material is trying to get across. There are stories where race matters, The Little Mermaid and your Star Wars spinoff is not one of them. There are stories that are supposed to feel heavy and tragic and make you look at the world differently.

It’s been over six years since I read The Circle by Dave Eggers which is basically about society turning into a surveillance state. I was an undergrad when I read it. The movie came out in 2017 and I watched it a few years later. It’s now 2026 and I’m STILL not over how the movie completely watered down the premise of the book. Like they fundamentally changed the point of what the point of the book was about and as someone who thought the commentary in the book was important, and it’s timely, so go read it if you want, I’m not over the changes they made and it’s just like why make it in the first place if you were going to change the meaning behind it?

There are changes that make sense when reimagining existing IP, like with making Louis Black on Interview with a Vampire and making it clear Louis and Lestat were in a sexual and romantic relationship. Though I haven’t read the book, these changes are important when thinking about the dynamic of the characters in the show, and I can imagine and I’ve heard these changes added depth to the characters. But those changes are also successful because the show has heart and the production of the show is handled with care.

Conclusion

So, it is completely possible that I’ve fallen victim to my own bubble when it comes to seeking out original content and it’s something I want to be mindful of this year. However, I also don’t think people should have to go underground to find original content.

And after everything I’ve said today, I am realizing that why I’m craving original IP and something new is because Sinners and K-Pop Demon Hunters have reminded me how it feels to watch a project that was thoughtful in its production and handled with care. They reminded me how inspiring it is to watch movies and tv shows that are passionate about the stories they were telling, and they will both stick with me for years to come.

Before Sinners, because it came out first, I genuinely can’t remember a time that I watched something so good it was all I wanted to consume and talk about. I can’t remember the last time I watched something so good that it was constantly on my mind. 

And now Heated Rivalry has made me feel the exact same way, which shows that it actually doesn’t matter if a project is based on original IP or existing IP. It doesn’t matter what the budget is, or if big names are involved. What matters and makes projects notable is when the people involved genuinely care about the story being told. When that happens, the outcome is beautiful. 

Passion makes the final product special. It’s the magic that’s been missing, and really, that’s all I’m looking for.