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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.

Soft reboot

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The soft reboot is a type of reboot in which not all the main characters from either fiction doesn't return for the project in question.

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 audiences, reboots allow easier entry for newcomers unfamiliar with earlier titles in a series.

Film

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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. Unlike a remake, however, a reboot often presupposes a working familiarity on the part of the audience with the original work.

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 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 and recreating a fictional universe from the beginning.

List of reboots in fiction

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Film

Video games

Comic books

See also

• Artistic license
• Canon (fiction)
• List of modernized adaptations of old works
• Prequel
• Reset button technique
• Retroactive continuity
• Sequel

References

1. ^ Willits, Thomas R. "To Reboot Or Not To Reboot: What is the Solution?". Bewildering Stories. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
2. ^ Parfitt, Orlando (25 August 2009). "Top 12 Forthcoming Franchise Reboots". IGN. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
3. ^ Norris, Erik (7 March 2013). "Why Franchise Reboots Can Be A Good Thing". CraveOnline. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
4. Billington, Alex (6 October 2008). "Sunday Discussion: The Mighty Hollywood Reboot Trend". FirstShowing.net. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
5. Lorendiac (16 March 2009). "Lorendiac's Lists: The DC Reboots Since Crisis on Infinite Earths". CBR. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
6. ^ Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12 (April 1985 – March 1986)
7. ^ Flashpoint #1-5 (May – September 2011)
8. Zero Hour: Crisis in Time #4-0 (Sept. 1994)
9. Day, Aubrey (2009-12-16). "Decade's Best: Casino Royale". TotalFilm.com. Retrieved 2013-08-20.

• Articles with too many examples from October 2015
• Comics terminology
• Continuity (fiction)
• Film and video terminology
• Reboot (fiction)
• Video game terminology