If you happen to be a film enthusiast, then you'll wonder why there's a need to discuss this subject matter. There's a probability that you're not a part of the nerdy group, which happens to comprise the minority of the viewing public. Moreover, the majority of the audience are young not to recall the old films (or won't have time to watch it on cable). Hollywood is strictly business, so there has never been a proliferation of sequels, remakes, and reboots.
Tom Cruise will star in the reboot of "The Mummy", but there's no need for hardcore Boris Karloff fans to express their displeasure on social media. Universal Pictures, which will produce the film, is coming up with an idea of a shared universe featuring cinema's most terrifying characters. It could be a grand reunion for their followers, who were responsible for the cult following. Besides, the then honchos of Universal didn't consider the idea. It was rather uncalled for. (Imagine Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, and the rest of the leading men of MGM starring in a single film.) It will be too early for a guessing game, but the names of Javier Bardem and Dwayne Johnson might play Frankenstein and the Wolf Man respectively. There will be more to come later.
On the other hand, it will be too late for another attempt for a reboot of "Fantastic Four". "Avengers: Infinity War", which will be released next year, has already started filming. Marvel comic fans knew that the powerful quartet, along with their nemesis Dr. Doom and the enigmatic Silver Surfer, would play major roles in this intergalactic battle. If only 20th Century Fox had looked at the bigger picture. We finally come to the heart of the matter. Here are the films that need a reboot:
Green Lantern. Warner Bros. may not live with this superhero film, as its box-office disappointment was one of the reasons why their much-hyped DC Extended Universe didn't match the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Nonetheless, the producers were bullish about finishing what they started (despite gambling on "Suicide Squad"). Marvel Studios haven't revealed the line-up for the Phase Four of the MCU, but fans know there would be one. (The sequel to "Spider-Man: Homecoming" is currently on development.) This brings us to the titular character. Ryan Reynolds may be lacking the charisma that is attached to Marvel superheroes. Why not Idris Elba? The British thespian never hid his strong desire to play Green Lantern, and Hollywood seemed to favor British actors to play superheroes. It had nothing to do with a lower paycheck, though.
Eragon. Christopher Paolini would love it. There's no need to point out the lack of originality behind the Inheritance tetralogy, as Hollywood studios hardly value this aspect of filmmaking. Perhaps Davis Production, which produced the 2006 action-fantasy picture, might think about other Hollywood studios. As for the titular role, it may be a good idea to let Tom Holland audition for the part. His A-list status could give this probable reboot a second life.
Timecop. Who would know that Jean-Claude Van Damme was the star of this science fiction action film? His fans could be the only ones. Who would think that this was based on the Dark Horse Comics? It might be no one. Peter Hyams helmed one of the most underrated movies of 1994, and there won't be any reason not to give this comic hero another chance in this age of superheroes (and their unforgettable enemies). The Muscles from Brussels won't mind at all.
Avatar: The Last Airbender. M. Night Shyamalan was interested in the sequel to his 2010 action adventure film, his adaptation of a popular Nickelodeon show. Critics panned it while the hardcore Nickelodeon viewers don't want to talk about it at all. They may like the idea of a reboot as long as Mr. Shyamalan won't be attached to the project (if it will make it past the pre-production stage). Will the Oscar-nominated filmmaker agree to it? Stay tuned.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. This is another reason why Fox has to give up the rights on producing superhero films. The big-screen version of Alan Moore's graphic novel, which was released in 2003, was Sean Connery's final screen appearance. And don't expect him to accept the offer if there will be a reboot. Fox was hoping that there would be a change of fortune on the small screen, but it never got off from the script. This might be the job for Warner Bros. (This studio seemed to favor a gritty approach to superheroes.) This would give Zac Snyder another chance to redeem himself in this genre. It's true that Fox will make another attempt to reboot it, but the studio bosses haven't learned their lesson. History will repeat itself.
