Sequels Coming for ROUNDERS, SWINGERS & SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
Today Miramax and The Weinstein Company have announced that they are going to move forward with producing sequels to to some of their biggest and most popular films.
One sequel I've always been interested in seeing that's on the list is the poker drama Rounders, but that only interests me if both Matt Damon and Edward Norton are involved. If they aren't a part of the sequel then I don't really care. Other films that are on the list for potential sequels include the dark comedy Bad Santa, and the Oscar-winning film Shakespeare in Love which doesn't really make that much sense at all to me. These are the three top films that the studios will move forward on.
There are a few more films listed that that may end up getting sequels as well whether they come out in theaters or on DVD/Blu-ray. Those movies include Bridget Jones’s Diary, which already had a crappy sequel, the police drama Copland, Robert Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn, which already had a direct-to-video prequel and sequel, Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau's classic film Swingers, Kevin Smith's Clerks, which also had a sequel, Shall We Dance, and The Amityville Horror, previously remade by MGM.
Copland just seems like a weird choice for a sequel, and like Rounders there's no point in remaking Swingers or Clerks without the original people involved. Miramax and The Weinstein Company are obviously looking for some quick easy cash, but if the movies look cheap-ass films then I doubt people will see them. Planning sequels to all these films just seems like a move of desperation.
The two companies are already working on the upcoming Scream 4 being released on April 15th, Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World being released August 19th, as well as a Scary Movie 5? Why are they making another one? Those Scary Movies aren't even funny.
Miramax will also be handling "digital distribution" on a number of sequel projects, while the two companies will work together to develop new materials for special edition Blu-ray releases of some of the movies mentioned above.
Here are a few comments from the people involved with these sequels below.
Miramax and TWC Founders Harvey and Bob Weinstein:
“We are very close to these films and the new management of Miramax also feels that we are in the best position to create sequels that are at once worthy and compelling in their own right. We look forward to working with Mike and his team on getting these films into production as soon as possible, and extending our partnership in the years ahead.”
Mike Lang, CEO of Miramax:
“We are thrilled and honored to work with Harvey and Bob Weinstein. There is no better partner to build on these great films and turn them into franchises, while also creating exciting new TV properties. This agreement will extend the Miramax library while also enabling us to create new content without committing near-term capital.”
TWC COO David Glasser:
“This is the perfect addition to our ongoing slate, giving us the ability to work on already existing franchises that have had such lucrative success at the box office, as well as a great starting ground to our newfound relationship. We clearly believe it will be mutually beneficial for both companies.”
So what do you all think about all these sequels that are being developed?