Sometimes, you just can’t beat the original. However, some properties end up having remakes or new entries that act as good counterparts to the original. There are plenty of examples we could bring up, but here are just five times where the original was complimented by a later instalment.
Blade Runner & Blade Runner 2049
In 1982, director Ridley Scott adapted Philip K. Dick’s seminal sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? into an extravagant epic called Blade Runner. Though it wasn’t successful during its initial theatrical release, it eventually became recognized as one of the most important genre films of all time. Thanks to fan appreciation and curiosity, multiple edits of Blade Runner only increased its allure to cinephiles and science fiction aficionados. As time has gone on, Blade Runner has cemented itself as one of the greatest studio pictures ever made.
So, when a sequel was released thirty-seven years later, audiences were understandably sceptical. However, thanks to the involvement of some of the original film’s creators and director Denis Villeneuve’s clear love of the first film, Blade Runner 2049 ended up as an incredible companion piece to the first film. It was able to function completely on its own while also satisfying the needs of a direct sequel. It’s a great instance of two films in a series that are individually great but make each other better when put together.
Star Trek & Star Trek: The Next Generation
The original Star Trek literally changed the landscape of television. It was a groundbreaking show that tackled ethical and social issues while also providing sci-fi/action thrills to the audience. Overwhelming fan support kept the show alive even after it ended, and Star Trek is often seen as the progenitor of die-hard genre fandom. And with a film series comprised of six films, Star Trek was seen as an untouchable franchise.
Until 1987 when a brand new series called Star Trek: The Next Generation hit television screens. Many fans were outright dismissive of this new cast and direction, but the series eventually evolved into an entity that captured the imaginations of old fans and a fresh audience. So much so that many fans discovered the franchise thanks to Star Trek: The Next Generation. It revitalized the franchise and was so influential that a brand new series is going to continue the story of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Both Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation were able to deliver what audiences of their eras wanted, and these shows still stand out as some of the best in the entire series.
Doom (1993) & Doom (2016)
When we talk about video games that literally altered the history of the medium, we have to talk about the original Doom. The 1993 first-person shooter was so revolutionary that they didn’t even have a genre to classify it as when it came out! It popularized the idea of first-person shooters, and its controversial elements helped usher in the creation of a ratings board for video games. Fans still play the game over twenty-five years later, and modified versions showcase just how versatile Doom continues to be.
When the time came to make a triple-A redo of the original, it was a shock to discover that Doom (2016) took all the best points of inspiration from the original and expanded on them with modern flair and polish. Instead of falling victim to many of the mechanics of modern first-person shooters, Doom (2016) amplified the speed and ferocity of the original game’s components. It’s a perfect example of taking what was great about the original and not trying to mess with it.
Neon Genesis Evangelion & Rebuild of Evangelion
There is no way to talk about the cultural impact of anime without bringing up Neon Genesis Evangelion. The landmark series took the giant mech sub-genre and infused with tons of difficult philosophy, horror, and gorgeous animation. It’s gone on to be one of the most significant anime series ever produced and its legacy has helped it find new audiences with every successive generation.
In 2007, a new film series called Rebuild of Evangelion promised to retell the entire story while also expanding upon and extending the world and its characters. Thanks to modern animation techniques and good pacing, the Rebuild of Evangelion films have provided an enjoyable new take on this legendary property.
Alien & Aliens
Alien is such a cornerstone of pop culture that it’s easy to forget how the 1979 original remains one of the most terrifying and effective films ever made. By taking a schlocky premise and treating it with high production value and stellar performances, Alien went on to become an essential piece of American art.
Seven years later, Aliens rolled the dice and hoped audiences would be able to swallow its new direction for the series. Thankfully, the sequel pulled off an incredible task by honouring everything that the first film established — both in mythology and tone — while carving out its own path with the story and mood. There’s always a debate about whether Alien or Aliens is the better film, but they are two great endeavours that are only made better by each other’s existence. The original Alien will always be a classic, but Aliens is just as classic.
