Why do sequels of movies tend to get worse?

Question

When i say sequels I meant movies that are made on a later date than the previous, so Lord of the Rings is not included.

And the sequals usually gross much more than previous.....

Answer 1

Same reason leftovers never taste as good.

The idea is not fresh - whatever magic spark of originality is gone. The first movie could be a totally new concept - Analyze This with Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal comes to mind. The writers have the experiences of their entire lives and a completely blank slate to write on.

The sequel is just an afterthought - figuring out SOMETHING ELSE for these characters to do, just a year or so after the first film. Wouldn't they have already given it their very best shot in film number one, when they had no idea there would ever be a sequel? You get primarily rejected ideas from the first script or uninspired, manufactured scripts cranked out to meet the demand for more "product" - something with the same name that will pack people into theaters enticed by something familiar, and will earn a tidy profit before word of mouth confirms that the new film is a rip-off, a dud.

Yes, I'm cynical. There ARE good sequels. And sometimes the series doesn't really "click" until the second film - like Austin Powers and Rambo. Sometimes writers DO come up with even better stuff, and/or have more freedom and money to develop characters and stories, since the first film was successful. But these instances are very rare.

The worst are the films made from old TV shows. Almost always an embarrassment. A familiar name, but nothing else.

Answer 2

Because the writer of the script had his whole life to create the first one and them put on a time schedule to create the following films for the studio financing it. If the second one takes too long people might lose interest.

Answer 3

expectations are higher with sequels. with sequels you're already familiar with characters and their personalities with the previous film. so the element of surprise with characters are mostly gone. its also difficult for a screenwriter to duplicate these characters because chances are the screenwriter of the original is no longer part of the project. they usually want too much money, or are bored with it.

Answer 4

Because usually everyone REALLY likes the first one (that's why you would go see a sequel) and then your expectation is raised expecting to be amazed once again, however that almost never happens.

Answer 5

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Lord Of The Rings Online boasts its great animation which perfectly simulates the graphics shown in the movie.

Answer 6

Because instead of creating a new, original movie, they are trying to piggy-back on the success of the old one. They know they have a built-in audience, so they don't try as hard.

Answer 7

sequels tend to get worse as they veer away from the original storylines (and use different actors to play the part-depending on which sequels you refer to)

Answer 8

Not always. there have been some very good sequels.

e.g.
The Godfather part 2
The Return of the Jedi
Analyze That
The Borne Supremacy
Aliens

Answer 9

Beacause nothing can stand up to the originals. If you are invested in the story, and then the second script isn't as good, you are disappointed.

Answer 10

they seem to loss the story line and tend to get away from the general idea of the original