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In serial fiction, to reboot means to discard all continuity in an established 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 series, video games, and films among others.
Etymology
The term is thought to originate from the computer term for restarting a computer system.
Types
Reboots remove any non-essential elements associated with a franchise by starting the franchise's continuity over and distilling it down to the core elements and concepts. For consumers, reboots allow easier entry for newcomers unfamiliar with earlier titles in a series.
Film
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 also act as a safe project for a studio, as a reboot with an established fan base 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.
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 comics, a long-running title may have its continuity erased to in order 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 and recreating a fictional universe from the beginning.
Soft reboot
Another type of reboot is a "soft reboot". Unlike a reboot, which discards all continuity, a soft reboot introduces a film, television, or video game series to a new generation of consumers while still maintaining continuity with previous installments in a franchise.
List of reboots in fiction
 | This section may contain excessive or irrelevant examples. Please help improve the article by adding descriptive text and removing less pertinent examples. (October 2015) |
Film
Video games
Comic books
| Series | Series start year | Reboot(s) | Reboot year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC Universe | 1934 | Silver Age Crisis on Infinite Earths The New 52 |
1956 1986 2011 |
| Legion of Super-Heroes | 1958 | Legion of Super-Heroes Legion of Super-Heroes |
1994 2004 |
| Saiyuki | 1997 | Saiyuki Reload | 2002 |
| Jojo's Bizarre Adventure | 1988 | Steel Ball Run | 2004 |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 1984 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 2011 |
| Valiant Comics | 1992 | Valiant Comics | 2012 |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | 1992 | Worlds Collide | 2013 |
Television
See also
- Artistic license
- Canon (fiction)
- List of modernized adaptations of old works
- Prequel
- Remake
- Reset button technique
- Retroactive continuity
- Sequel
References
- ^ Thomas R. Willits. "To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What is the Solution?". Bewilderingstories.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- ^ Orlando Parfitt. "Forthcoming Franchise Reboots". IGN. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- ^ Erik Norris (2013-03-07). "Why Franchise Reboots Can Be A Good Thing". CraveOnline. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- "Twenty Film Franchises in Need of a Reboot - VideoHound Blogs - VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever". Movieretriever.com. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- "Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend". FirstShowing.net. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- "Lorendiac's Lists: The DC Reboots Since Crisis on Infinite Earths | Comics Should Be Good! @ Comic Book Resources". Goodcomics.comicbookresources.com. 2009-03-16. Retrieved 2013-08-20.
- 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)
- Agar, Chris (February 11, 2016). "Why Soft Reboots Are the Ideal Compromise Between Remakes & Sequels". Screen Rant. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- Day, Aubrey (2009-12-16). "Decade's Best: Casino Royale". TotalFilm.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20.