A lot of movies get a little bit cocky and assume that their franchise is going to carry on. Sometimes it’s because they’re based on a series of books, so obviously the rest have to be adapted, right? Sometimes they’ll include cliff-hangers as a way to try and ensure a sequel gets made, because we can’t leave anything unresolved, right?
Alas, sometimes the chips just do not fall that way. Bad reviews or underperforming at the box office are often more important than telling the rest of the story. But, that doesn’t stop movies subtly (or not so subtly) hinting at future films.
The best example I can think of for this is the ending of 2003’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The ending does its best to ambiguously set up the return of an allegedly dead main character. Unfortunately for them, LXG was critically panned, spurned by Alan Moore, and the final nail in the coffin for Sean Connery’s career (seriously, he quit acting because of it), all of which quashed any hopes of carrying on the franchise.
Whether funny, or tragic, what’s your favourite moment when a movie thought they were going to get a sequel?
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: September 28, 2016
antiredcap
September 28, 2016 at 10:57
The Sinister Six cliffhanger in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Kervyn Cloete
September 28, 2016 at 11:06
Practically that entire movie was a sequel setup
antiredcap
September 28, 2016 at 11:16
Unpopular opinion: I liked Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker.
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 28, 2016 at 11:33
So did I, was way better than Tobey.
Tracy Benson
September 28, 2016 at 11:39
Garfield was great as Parker, pity everything else sucked…
Kervyn Cloete
September 28, 2016 at 11:55
That’s not an unpopular opinion. Most sensible people agree that he was great in the role, it’s just that he found himself in movies that fell short
Kervyn Cloete
September 28, 2016 at 11:09
The Mortal Instruments. Before they had even filmed the first movie, they had already greenlit and cast the sequels. And then the first movie was released and it was so freaking bad that it tanked horribly.
Tracy Benson
September 28, 2016 at 11:41
Trying to ride the wave of popularity for YA franchises doesn’t always work out!
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 28, 2016 at 11:35
Dracula Untold. That final scene set in the modern day teasing another movie. But it totally wasn’t the start of their shared cinematic monster universe, honest, The Mummy reboot is. Makes me giggle. 😀
Kervyn Cloete
September 28, 2016 at 11:57
They totally screwed that one. They should have just stuck to their guns and gone with the original plan of having Dracula Untold be the first film. I mean, most people dug Luke Evans in the role, Charles Dance is awesome as a bad guy, and the movie was actually a box office success making $217 million.
The Sten
September 28, 2016 at 16:14
I am number four.
I actually liked that one and was a bit bummed when they canned it.
Noelle Adams
September 28, 2016 at 16:43
Not that I think they were arrogant about it, but John Carter was definitely wide open for a sequel.
Kervyn Cloete
September 28, 2016 at 18:14
Damn it. Now I’m all sad again that we won’t see more John Carter. I’ll defend that movie for the awesome pulpy adventure that it is until my dying day!
Noelle Adams
September 28, 2016 at 21:13
I would have happily watched a sequel. Such a great (if flawed) throwback fantasy adventure. I still listen to the soundtrack regularly.
Tracy Benson
September 29, 2016 at 11:18
John Carter definitely falls on the “tragic” side *sniff* 🙁
Sean Izaakse
September 28, 2016 at 20:29
Don’t forget Green Lantern who was meant to be the DCU’s answer to the Iron Man movie.
Filmmaker
September 29, 2016 at 12:28
Yeah. I love everything in the DC Universe, except Green Latern!