It’s said there are no new ideas. When it comes to TV shows and movies, this adage is particularly true.
It seems like for the past 15 years, just about every major movie released is a biopic, a book or comic adaptation, or a prequel, sequel or reimagining of an existing movie.
Obviously, this is a formula moviegoers seem to be just fine with, if you judge by box office receipts. Stars Wars films, the Avengers (or just about any comic book adaptation) films, Jurassic World films and Disney remakes or sequels crowd the list of the top 30 grossing films over the last decade.
I haven’t been immune to this trend, particularly when it comes to book adaptations, such as Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, and on the small screen Game of Thrones, Shadow and Bone and Bridgerton. (And if any Hollywood execs are reading the Leader this week, I humbly put in a request for adaptations of Brandon Sanderson books.)
I’m not sure what our obsession with these types of films is. Maybe it’s the comfort of seeing familiar faces on the big screen. Maybe it’s because the films don’t have to spend the first third of their running time explaining who characters are and why we should care about them.
But something I have taken note of is that some viewers absolutely do not like change. Again, I can be a little guilty of this myself, sometimes pausing the movie to grumble loudly to my husband, “Well, that’s not how it was in the book!” and then spending 10 minutes detailing the minute plot differences lost in the adaptation while he patiently nods and feigns interest.
Something I have found less relatable is the anger that seems to come from replacing any character with someone who doesn’t fill the exact same demographic (replacing a male character with a female character, replacing a white character with a person of color, etc.). Whether it’s the inclusion of Black hobbits, female ghostbusters, non-white or female stormtroopers or Black mermaids, any change is sure to cause a backlash among a certain crowd.
“Pandering,” they cry. “Woke culture!”
From a logical perspective, especially in terms of a film remake, it makes very little sense to me to object to changes. Conceivably, if you wanted to watch a film that’s exactly like the original, you would just rewatch the original. Why would these companies spend $100 million or more to make an exact reproduction of a film that was already a success?
If the studio hired new writers, new producers, new directors and new actors, one would presume they’ve done so because they want something new. New performances, new perspectives, new faces, new interpretations.
Not to mention, if most of our entertainment is coming from sources that originated before society thought it was necessary to include anyone who wasn’t a straight white male, then if we do remakes without changing any of the original demographics, all of these stories will continue to only prioritize straight white males.
There’s nothing wrong with telling the stories of straight white males, but other people exist, too. Other people want to see faces that look like theirs and stories that sound like theirs when they watch a movie, too.
Everybody is paying the same exorbitant price of a movie ticket and bucket of popcorn. We all deserve the chance to be catered to now and then.
I would think it would go without saying, but not everything in this world is made specifically for you. Part of growing into an adult is realizing you are not the center of the universe and every other person on the planet is living a life where they are the main character. With nearly 8 billion residents on Earth, if you think you are the target customer of every single product created, it’s time for you to have a serious reality check.
As shocking as it sounds, a movie about a 16-year-old half-fish, half-human princess is not targeted toward adult men. In fact, I’d go so far to say if you’re old enough to legally obtain a driver’s license, it’s not made for you. And that’s OK. (Chin up, fellas, pretty much every action movie is made with you in mind.)
If you want to see who the film is meant for, do a quick search for “Little Mermaid Blind Reaction,” and watch the excitement of dozens of little girls who have never seen themselves represented on screen before. If watching their eyes light up as they exclaim, “She looks like me!” doesn’t get your waterworks rolling, I don’t know what will.
Those little girls are why making changes to original materials is important. Everyone wants and deserves a place at the table. And it’s high time those of us already at the table scoot over and make room for them.
And if a new remake isn’t your cup of tea, there’s great news: You can always go back and watch or read the original. There’s no need to throw a fit to tell people you don’t like the new version.
To paraphrase a Ricky Gervais joke: It’s like going to a town square, seeing a notice board has an ad for guitar lessons, and then yelling you don’t want guitar lessons. If you’re not interested, then the sign wasn’t meant for you. Just walk away and move on with your life.