Why filmmakers make so many movie sequels, according to Todd Phillips

Sequels are increasingly dominating the film industry. The idea, of course, divides opinions: some say that this is a cheap way of just making money with an established franchise instead of betting on a new story. However, the filmmaker Todd Phillips believes there are firm reasons for his colleagues and studios to adopt the sequels.

The director himself, for example, directed sequels to two successful films. First, If You Drink, Don’t Marry! (2009), which marked the beginning of a trilogy. Then it came Joker (2019), continued with Joker: Delirium for Two.

THE Variety (via CBR), Phillips explained that he agreed to transform If You Drink, Don’t Marry! into a trilogy for a special reason. The director said he created practically family bonds with the cast members, which created motivation to record the sequences.

He said:

The truth is that many people reduce sequels, in general, because they think: ‘oh, it’s an easy way to make money’. But what people don’t know about filmmaking is the fact that you actually gain friends, form a family, and say, ‘When are we going to do this again? When will we meet again and make each other laugh all day?’ I really motivate myself (to record sequences) because of that.”

Todd Phillips and the desire to work again with the cast of the trilogy

Still in the interview, Todd Phillips revealed his desire to work again with Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakisinterpreters of the trio of protagonists of If You Drink, Don’t Marry!. Whether for a fourth film in the franchise or in a new work.

I don’t know if it would be in The Hangover 4, but I have a great affinity with all the actors I’ve worked with and with these three guys, it really went beyond. We travel the world shooting films, promoting these films, so it would be a shame if we don’t get the gang together to at least work together again. I don’t know if it would be like a Hangover 4.”

The worst movie sequences

The fact is that the simple fact that a sequence gets off the ground has its risks. With the success generated by the predecessor, great expectations are generated in relation to the new work — and in many cases, disappointment is general.

Aware of this, the Rolling Stone USA made a survey of the 50 worst sequences in the history of cinema. The criterion used was the choice of titles that did not maintain the quality of their predecessors.

The list’s podium was occupied by Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008, in 3rd place), Highlander II – The Resurrection (1991, in 2nd place) and Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019, in 1st place). Other famous titles include forgotten ones like The Lost World – Jurassic Park (1997), Terminator 3 – Rise of the Machines (2003) and Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (2017).

Collaborated: Augusto Ikeda.