Which movies or books do you want to have sequels or spinoffs? It's a question that won't be discussed during lecture hours, but you might make a passing at one point. It will intrigue the academia. After all, sex would be the selling point of "Lady Chatterley's Lover" and its remakes and sequels. D. H. Lawrence didn't analyze human sexuality, as he rather revealed the ironic plight of the titular character. It should remind tennis fans about the recent Wimbledon, where the top male players would play in the show courts more frequently than their female counterpart. (A retractable roof over Court No. 1 should be finished in two years. There would be four matches instead of three.) Sexism is part of a tradition, which may become part of history sooner or later. Let's cite another case.
There's a good chance that a French film company will produce a French version of "Dunkirk". It would be the retreat (or rescue) of Allied forces on the French coastal town when the Nazi Army was closing on them. It happened after (Nazi) Germany invaded many parts of Europe. You have seen too many movies to know that directors seldom think of accuracy. There's compromising in a collaboration, and only an auteur can get away with his vision. In the case of this suspenseful World War II picture, director Christopher Nolan would show beauty in the bleak (French) coast. There's no doubt that it's a picturesque beach, but it would be the pits for the soldiers. (One harrowing scene showed one soldier attempting to end his life by drowning in the sea. A troika of younger soldiers watched him, not attempting to stop him.) Most war films would focus on the liberation of soldiers, if not heroism (by self sacrifice). And then there was an uneasy feeling that the actors seemed to be having fun. Nolan was thinking of small heroics by the soldiers. (As one old chap put it, surviving should be good enough.) The filmmaker was telling Britain's point of view, and the Allied forces included Belgian, Canadian, and French soldiers. You might look forward to three other movies about that seemingly-impossible mission during the summer of 1940. Someone may look into the possibility of the aftermath.
Harry Potter Achieves the Gold Standard
J. K. Rowling would be the best example, as the Harry Potter series were successfully adapted to the big screen. You might have reservations about it, as the enchanted part of Britain would resemble Earthsea. Rowling should get another chance, as "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a prequel to Harry's saga. (It seemed original to you.) The sequels can be considered as spinoffs. (And there could be more of it.) The film series led to the increase of (book) sales of Rowling's novels. It may prompt some readers to check out the other popular titles in the Fantasy and Young-adult genres. (Ursula K. Le Guin, the author behind the Earthsea cycle, will like it.) It should be more than good.
What other movies or books deserve a sequel or spinoffs? You could think of three titles, which would the favorite of others. Let's check it out:
Cinderella. It has been made and remade and remade (and remade one more time) because it has all the elements that would win Cinderella a lot of sympathizers instantly. A wrong made right. A happy ending to a young girl who deserves it more than her stepsisters. And true love. The early version of this fairy tale has macabre features, which might have inspired Doctor Who. (In this entertaining version, Cinderella is an unwitting vampire slayer. She saves her Prince Charming, who has the facial features of a man who might turn into a werewolf.) This should serve as a lesson for those who don't take fairy tales seriously, as many novels have used it as their reference (or inspiration).
Chronicles of Narnia. It's a beguiling version of Biblical stories for the kids, which shouldn't turn off those who don't fancy writers discussing their religious beliefs openly. There's no doubt that this series is one of the most beloved titles in the Fantasy genre, which have been made into an animated series in the 1970s and a live one a few decades afterward. Jadis, a. k. a. the White Queen, is the most memorable character. She may be the reason why "The Silver Chair" has been has been considered for adaptation. Narnia doesn't represent a particular generation, which explains its universal appeal. The motives of C. S. Lewis would make a fantastic essay topic. (His strong religious beliefs might have inspired him to look at the Bible in a different way.)
Batman. Purists might raise eyebrows on this one, but Bob Kane and Bill Finger created the most iconic character in American history. And Batman's story couldn't be more relevant nowadays. (The US is the only superpower left or some pundits claim.) You wouldn't run out of topics to write about. (And it shouldn't be a debate on the merits of comic books as a literary genre.) Why gritty superheroes draw legions of fans? Do superheroes expose the insecurity of (geeky) readers? Is it a good thing to walk on the dark side? Your professor won't think twice about it.
What Will Be Your Criteria for Selecting a Book or Movie?
It must stand the test of time. Most authors won't live to see their works celebrated by a younger generation, but their relatives (and die-hard followers) may not mind taking the credit. After all, this is supposed to be the legacy of art. Some call it pop culture.
It must be really good. There will be critics, if not those who doubt the author (or director). It would be less interesting if everyone will like it. You must agree to disagree.
It must be open to many interpretations. It should be fun, but your professor prefers a scholarly approach. Can it be similar to (how to write) an informative essay? Perhaps.
