| Revision as of 16:44, 9 July 2018 editKorny O'Near (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users23,272 edits Added more info on soft reboots to intro (many came out in 2015!)← Previous edit | Revision as of 10:47, 12 July 2018 edit undo2a00:23c5:2e01:fb01:f51a:f931:79d7:d760 (talk)No edit summaryTag: references removedNext edit → | ||
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| ]'' film franchise, which began in 1954, was rebooted with the films '']'' (1984), '']'' (1999), '']'' (2014) and '']'' (2016). Pictured here is a promotional image from '']'' (1955).]] | ]'' film franchise, which began in 1954, was rebooted with the films '']'' (1984), '']'' (1999), '']'' (2014) and '']'' (2016). Pictured here is a promotional image from '']'' (1955).]] | ||
| In ], |
In ], to '''reboot''' means to discard all ] in an established ], work, or series in order to recreate its characters, timeline and backstory from the beginning.<ref name="Willits">{{cite web|last1=Willits|first1=Thomas R.|title=To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What is the Solution?|url=http://www.bewilderingstories.com/issue344/reboot1.html|website=Bewildering Stories|accessdate=20 August 2013|date=13 July 2009}}</ref><ref name="Parfitt">{{cite web|last1=Parfitt|first1=Orlando|title=Top 12 Forthcoming Franchise Reboots|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/25/top-12-forthcoming-franchise-reboots|website=]|accessdate=20 August 2013|date=25 August 2009}}</ref> The term is used with respect to various different forms of fictional media such as ]s, ]s, ]s, and ]s among others.<ref name="Willits"/> | ||
| The term "'''soft reboot'''" is used for a film or other work that functions as both a reboot and a sequel - that is, it takes place in the same fictional universe as previous works, but involves new characters, though the new characters and/or plots resemble those of previous works in the series.<ref name="highs and lows">{{cite web |title=The highs and lows of the soft movie reboot |url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/soft-reboots/247403/the-highs-and-lows-of-the-soft-movie-reboot |first=Ryan |last=Lambie |date=July 3, 2015 |publisher=Den of Geek}}</ref> The year 2015 especially saw many films that were described by critics as soft reboots, including '']'', '']'', '']'',<ref name="highs and lows" /> '']'', '']''<ref>{{cite web |title=Why Soft Reboots Are the Ideal Compromise Between Remakes & Sequels |url=https://screenrant.com/movie-franchise-soft-reboot-continuation-discussion/ |first=Chris |last=Agar |date=Februrary 11, 2016 |publisher=ScreenRant}}</ref> and '']''. | |||
| ==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
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| ===Film=== | ===Film=== | ||
| {{More citations needed section|date=November 2016}} | {{More citations needed section|date=November 2016}} | ||
| With reboots, filmmakers revamp and reinvigorate a ] in order to attract new fans and stimulate revenue.<ref name="Parfitt"/> A reboot can renew interest in a series that has grown stale.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} Reboots act as a safe project for a studio, as a reboot with an established fanbase is less risky (in terms of expected profit) than an entirely original work, while at the same time allowing the studio to explore new demographics.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Billington|first1=Alex|title=Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sunday-discussion-the-mighty-hollywood-reboot-trend/|website=FirstShowing.net|accessdate=20 August 2013|date=6 October 2008}}</ref> Reboots also allow directors and producers to cast a new set of younger actors for the familiar roles of a film series in order to attract a younger audience.{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}} Unlike a ], however, a reboot often presupposes a working familiarity on the part of the audience with the original work.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} | With reboots, filmmakers revamp and reinvigorate a ] in order to attract new fans and stimulate revenue.<ref name="Parfitt"/> A reboot can renew interest in a series that has grown stale, and can be met with positive, mixed, or negative results by both consumers and ].{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}} Reboots act as a safe project for a studio, as a reboot with an established fanbase is less risky (in terms of expected profit) than an entirely original work, while at the same time allowing the studio to explore new demographics.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Billington|first1=Alex|title=Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2008/sunday-discussion-the-mighty-hollywood-reboot-trend/|website=FirstShowing.net|accessdate=20 August 2013|date=6 October 2008}}</ref> Reboots also allow directors and producers to cast a new set of younger actors for the familiar roles of a film series in order to attract a younger audience.{{Citation needed|date=May 2015}} Unlike a ], however, a reboot often presupposes a working familiarity on the part of the audience with the original work.{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} | ||
| ===Television=== | ===Television=== | ||
Revision as of 10:47, 12 July 2018
_Godzilla_vs_Anguirus.jpg)
In serial fiction, to reboot means to discard all continuity in an established fictional universe, work, or series in order to recreate its characters, timeline and backstory from the beginning. The term is used with respect to various different forms of fictional media such as comic books, television shows, video games, and films among others.
Etymology
The term is thought to originate from the computer term reboot, meaning to restart a computer system.
Types
Reboots remove any non-essential elements associated with a franchise and start it anew, distilling it down to the core elements that make it popular. For audiences, reboots allow easier entry for newcomers unfamiliar with earlier titles in a series.
Film
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
With reboots, filmmakers revamp and reinvigorate a film series in order to attract new fans and stimulate revenue. A reboot can renew interest in a series that has grown stale, and can be met with positive, mixed, or negative results by both consumers and film critics. Reboots act as a safe project for a studio, as a reboot with an established fanbase is less risky (in terms of expected profit) than an entirely original work, while at the same time allowing the studio to explore new demographics. Reboots also allow directors and producers to cast a new set of younger actors for the familiar roles of a film series in order to attract a younger audience. Unlike a remake, however, a reboot often presupposes a working familiarity on the part of the audience with the original work.
Television
In television, a reboot is different from a revival, in which many of the original cast, storylines, and locales from the original series are retained, whereas a reboot features an entirely new cast and timeline that doesn't take into account anything from the original series.
Video games
Reboots are common in the video game industry, particularly with franchises that have multiple entries in the series. Reboots in video games are used to refresh the storyline and elements of the game.
Comic books
In comic books, a long-running title may have its continuity erased in order to start over from the beginning, enabling writers to redefine characters and open up new story opportunities, and allowing the title to bring in new readers. Comic books sometimes use an in-universe explanation for a reboot, such as merging parallel worlds and timelines together, or destroying a fictional universe and recreating it from the beginning.
List of reboots in fiction
Main pages: Category:Reboot comics, Category:Reboot films, Category:Television series reboots, and Category:Video game reboots | This section has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Comic books
| Series | Series start year | Reboot(s) | Reboot year | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Universe | 1934 | Silver Age | 1956 | |
| Crisis on Infinite Earths | 1986 | |||
| The New 52 | 2011 | |||
| Legion of Super-Heroes | 1958 | Legion of Super-Heroes | 1994 | |
| Legion of Super-Heroes | 2004 | |||
| Saiyuki | 1997 | Saiyuki Reload | 2002 | |
| Saiyuki Reload Blast | 2010 | |||
| JoJo's Bizarre Adventure | 1987 | Steel Ball Run | 2004 | |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 1984 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 2012 | |
| Valiant Comics | 1992 | Valiant Comics | 2012 | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | 1992 | Worlds Collide | 2013 | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | 2018 |
See also
- Artistic license
- Canon (fiction)
- List of modernized adaptations of old works
- Prequel
- Reset button technique
- Retroactive continuity
- Sequel
References
- ^ Willits, Thomas R. (13 July 2009). "To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What is the Solution?". Bewildering Stories. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Parfitt, Orlando (25 August 2009). "Top 12 Forthcoming Franchise Reboots". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Norris, Erik (7 March 2013). "Why Franchise Reboots Can Be A Good Thing". CraveOnline. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
- Billington, Alex (6 October 2008). "Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- Lorendiac (16 March 2009). "Lorendiac's Lists: The DC Reboots Since Crisis on Infinite Earths". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
- ^ Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12 (April 1985 – March 1986)
- ^ Flashpoint #1-5 (May – September 2011)
- Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4-0 (Sept. 1994)