Exploring the Evolution of Popular Film Franchises from their Source Material
What’s better than watching a film? Watching an entire franchise! With sequels, prequels, and spin-offs now being more common than ever, franchises have become a big part of Hollywood. A franchise can offer fans more of the characters they love, more storylines to follow, and a deeper dive into the world we’ve grown to know and love.
But, where do these franchises come from? In this blog, we’ll explore the evolution of popular film franchises from their source material. From books to comic books, we’ll dive into the origins of some of our favorite franchises like Harry Potter, Marvel, and Star Wars. 😍
Books to Films
Books are a popular source of material for films. Many filmmakers turn to novels to get inspired and bring a story to life. A film can either stick closely to the book or divert from it, causing a range of emotions from fans. However, regardless of which direction the film goes, it always creates a buzz and excitement among fans of the book.
One example of a book-to-film franchise is the Harry Potter series. The films stick closely to the books, with each film representing one of the books in the series. From the magical world of Hogwarts to the three-headed dog guarding the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Harry Potter franchise is a true adaptation of the beloved novels.
🤓 Fun fact: The Harry Potter series has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.
Comics to Films
Movies based on comic books have become a genre of their own in recent years. Thanks to advances in technology, filmmakers can now bring superheroes to life in a way that was never before possible. Comic book franchises such as Marvel and DC have spawned an entire movie universe, with each film contributing to a larger story arc.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the largest and most successful comic book film franchise, with 23 films that span over a decade. Each film contributes to a larger story with characters that interact with one another across multiple films. Fans eagerly anticipate the next Marvel film, as they are always left with a cliffhanger that hints at what is to come in the next installment.
🦸♀️ Tip: If you want to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe in chronological order, start with Captain America: The First Avenger and end with Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Video Games to Films
Video games are another source of material for film franchises, although they often have a mixed reception from fans. As video games are an interactive medium, it’s hard to translate that experience into a film. However, that hasn’t stopped filmmakers from trying.
One of the most successful video game-to-film franchises is Resident Evil. The series is loosely based on the video game franchise of the same name, with each film featuring Milla Jovovich as the protagonist Alice. While the franchise didn’t necessarily stick closely to the video games, it still managed to build a following and remain successful.
🎮 Highlight: A new Resident Evil film is set to be released in 2021, with the film being a reboot of the entire franchise.
Conclusion
Franchises are here to stay, with fans eagerly anticipating the next installment of their favorite series. It’s fascinating to see how a franchise can evolve from its source material and create a world of its own. Whether it’s books, comic books, or video games, each source material brings something unique to the table.
We hope you enjoyed exploring the evolution of popular film franchises from their source material. Which franchise is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below! 😁
