"It's not a 'sequel,' it's a 'new chapter'": Is 'sequel' Hollywood's new taboo? After flooding the market with sequels one after another... movie fans criticize

*This content was translated by AI.

Hollywood has officially begun to avoid the terms 'sequel,' 'reboot,' and 'remake.' As audiences developed a negative reaction to these words, each studio started developing and packaging new terminology. However, netizens are responding with sarcasm, saying, "You've been mass-producing sequels for over 20 years, and now you're calling them taboo?"

According to the U.S. entertainment trade publication Variety, Sony is referring to the follow-up to 'The Social Network,' titled 'Social Reckoning,' not as a sequel but as a "companion piece." Disney is calling live-action adaptations of animated films like 'Aladdin' and 'Beauty and the Beast' "reimaginings," while Universal has named its 'Twister' sequel a "new chapter."

Amazon MGM went a step further, naming the sequel to Mel Brooks' 1987 sci-fi comedy 'Spaceballs' simply 'Spaceballs: The New One.' Veteran marketing executive Mark Weinstock analyzed, "When audiences hear the word 'sequel,' they feel it's like homework. 'Reboot' gives the impression that the original work underperformed and is being redone, while 'remake' feels like a rehash."

In contrast, netizen reactions were cold. The top comment on the article, with 35 likes, read, "An industry lacking new ideas." Other comments included, "Marketing fools trying to cover up a lack of creativity with new terminology" (19 likes), and "Audiences already know. Do you think they'll be fooled just by changing the name?"

A comment quoting Shakespeare, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. A terrible sequel is no different," also drew attention. One netizen sarcastically suggested, "Just call it 'Money Grab 2,'" while another said, "Call it whatever you want. We already know what it is."

Especially eye-catching was a comment from a netizen claiming to be an industry insider: "Don't misunderstand. There are plenty of creators with original ideas. The problem is that studios don't give them money. They spend billions of dollars acquiring IP, then ruin it themselves, and now they're even devaluing their own catalogs through streaming." Another netizen bluntly stated, "If you don't want to use those words, don't use them. Just make a new movie. Is that really so difficult?"

In fact, survey results show that 75% of Gen Z prefer original content over remakes and franchises. According to Fandango, the theater ticket platform, Gen Z is currently the most active theatergoing demographic. Nevertheless, Hollywood has not been able to stop relying on existing IP. Counting from the release of the first MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) film, 'Iron Man,' in 2008, 18 years have already passed. Variety pointed out, "While there are success stories like 'Top Gun: Maverick,' audiences are growing tired of rehashes with only the names changed."

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*This content was translated by AI.