Some stories have been reimagined by writers and given a new lease of life by directors. So, when films like Wonka and web series Mr and Mrs Smith are presented in a fresh version, they sure impress.

Sheetal

Of late, there seems to be much buzz around series and films that have revived pre-established IPs (Intellectual Property) and given a them a twist. In the past two months, theatrical releases such as Mean Girls (2024) and Wonka, and web series Mr and Mrs Smith, and Percy Jackson and the Olympians, have garnered profits and viewership. Here’s a look at some of other such projects.

I think Wonka is the best thing in revived IPs. While the previous ones were good, the new version was equally amazing. What resonated with me was Timothée Chalamet’s outstanding performance, the overall vibe of the film, and the decision not to tamper with the previous version. — Adnan Khan, Actor

I loved Mr and Mrs Smith. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, what can I say about them? They nailed it. So, when I got the news that there was a web series that has been adapted from the film and rehashed the narrative, I added it to my binge-list. I am looking forward to watching it in the coming weeks. — Aditi Bhagat, Actress

New lease of life

Wonka

Willy Wonka is synonymous with either Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) or Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), but after French-American actor Timothée Chalamet embraced the avatar of Roald Dahl’s character, it got a new lease of life. Warner Bros Pictures re-acquired the rights of the character Willy Wonka in 2016 and while they first released an animation film, Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, the original story of Willy Wonka was in development for a stand-alone film with no connection to prior adaptations. Wonka is among the top 10 highest-grossing films of 2023 and is inching towards 600 million dollar club. It ran for more than eight weeks in domestic circles. Besides Timothée, Hugh Grant’s role as Oompa Loompa is also loved by the audience.

Being popular

Wednesday

The eight-episode first season of the supernatural comedy-horror series Wednesday became an instant favourite of binge-watchers, with netizens crushing over actress Jenna Ortega, who played the titular character. The makers of the series re-imagined the once so-popular and readily adapted show/film called The Addams Family. Initially a single-panel comic published in The New Yorker in 1938, it was made into animation films and video games until the first film series, The Addams Family (1991) and then Addams Family Values (1993) were released. In November 2022, web series Wednesday re-launched The Addams Family back into limelight. Based on its commercial and critical success, the series immediately got renewed for the second season and makes for a revived IP, which is there to last.

Musical comedy

Mean Girls

The latest teen musical comedy, yet to be released in India, is a perfect amalgamation of a 2004 film and Stage Musical. It is based on the original screenplay by Tina Fey. With Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr. helming the project for their feature directorial debuts, the film did well and is currently the highest grosser of January, 2024. It is a refreshing tale mixed with contemporary musical adaptations.

Back in time

The Lord of the Rings:

The Rings of Power

While we all know of the eponymous film trilogies, The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) and The Hobbit (2012-2014), based on JRR Tolkien’s novel series by the same name, it was beyond the imagination of hardcore fans of Tolkien and the film series to expect a prequel. But Prime Video took the onus and created a larger-than-life series when the competitors were bringing shows like Game of Thrones, The Witcher and more. Developed by JD Payne and Patrick McKay for the streaming service, it puts two-and-two together from The Lord of the Rings novel series, and its appendices by JRR Tolkien, to re-launch the LOTR IP. Set thousands of years before Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the 2022 web series depicts the major events of middle Earth’s second age. It will redefine the LOTR IP. Similarly, IPs such as The Batman (2022) and The Lion King (2019) resurfaced, although these were first initiated in visual medium in 1943 and 1994, respectively.

Evolved narrative

Mr and Mrs Smith

This series too is an adaptation, a fresh take on the spy couple, Mr and Mrs Smith, played by Donald Glover and Maya Erskine. Developed by Glover and Francesca Sloane, it honours the original and yet is an evolved narrative, which is, of course, needed for a series to succeed.

Once more

Bob Biswas

This 2021 Hindi language action thriller film is based on a character from the 2012 film, Kahaani. Diya Annapurna Ghosh’s debut direction, it stars Abhishek Bachchan as the titular character. In Kahaani, the same character was played by Saswata Chatterjee. The film premiered on ZEE5.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.