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Tyler's Takes: 2015 and the Popularization of the Legacy Sequel

January 25, 2025
By:
Tyler Banark
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Whether you like them or not, legacy sequels have become a common trend in Hollywood over the past decade. 2015 marked a pivotal moment in the evolution of Hollywood filmmaking, giving rise to the phenomenon. Legacy sequels represent a unique blending of nostalgia and modernization. By examining the cultural, technological, and industrial forces that converged in 2015, it becomes clear how this year gave birth to the concept and solidified its role in contemporary cinema. Several major releases in 2015 exemplify the essence of the legacy sequel, including Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, Creed, and Mad Max: Fury Road. With it being a decade since their genesis, I figured it’d be a fitting time to look back within that context.


The Force Awakens is perhaps the quintessential 2015 legacy sequel. Helmed by J.J. Abrams, the film successfully rekindled the magic of George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy while introducing a new generation of characters and stories. It masterfully balanced nostalgia—through the return of beloved characters like Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Luke Skywalker—with the fresh appeal of Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren. Some may criticize it as A New Hope 2.0, but that doesn’t detract from any of the greatness happening on screen. The Force Awakens resonated with both longtime fans and newcomers, earning over $2 billion at the global box office. While the following sequels of The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker resulted in the Star Wars sequel trilogy appearing as directionless, The Force Awakens did its due diligence and gave moviegoers a trip back to a galaxy far, far away.


Similarly, Jurassic World revived the dormant Jurassic Park franchise with a story that honored Steven Spielberg's 1993 classic while embracing modern sensibilities. Colin Trevorrow updated the familiar elements of dinosaur chaos with themes of corporate greed and scientific overreach. Including nods to the original film, such as the return to the iconic park gates, the subtle use of John Williams's score, and having two boys discover a vintage Jurassic Park jeep, Jurassic World appealed to nostalgic viewers while also thrilling younger audiences. Much like The Force Awakens, Jurassic World was met with more acclaim compared to its successors which took the franchise into a downward spiral. It found success in the form of over $1 billion at the box office, holding the record for the biggest box office opening of all time... which was beaten six months later by The Force Awakens.



Meanwhile, Creed, directed by Ryan Coogler, offered a more character-driven take on the legacy sequel. The film expanded the Rocky universe by focusing on Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky Balboa's former rival and friend, Apollo Creed. By shifting the narrative focus to a new protagonist while keeping Sylvester Stallone's Rocky as a mentor figure, Creed honored the emotional legacy of the earlier films while carving out its own identity.


Finally, Mad Max: Fury Road, though arguably more of a reboot than a traditional legacy sequel, shared many qualities with its contemporaries. As the only one in this bunch to have the original creative team return to the helm, George Miller’s reintroduction to the post-apocalyptic wasteland weaved a new take on the character of Max Rockatansky while also spotlighting the unforgettable Furiosa, portrayed by Charlize Theron. The film’s blend of kinetic action, practical effects, and thematic depth exemplified how revisiting a franchise could result in both critical acclaim and cultural relevance. Out of all the legacy sequels, and movies to come from 2015 for that matter, Fury Road takes the cake as the best one.


The rise of legacy sequels in 2015 cannot be separated from broader cultural and technological trends. Nostalgia has become a powerful force in popular culture, partly driven by the internet's ability to foster communities around shared memories and fandoms. Social media platforms amplified the voices of fans eager for the return of their favorite stories and characters, creating a fertile environment for studios to revisit established properties. Technological advancements also played a crucial role. The rise of digital filmmaking and visual effects allowed filmmakers to recreate and expand upon the worlds of older franchises in previously impossible ways. For instance, Jurassic World featured photorealistic dinosaurs that surpassed the groundbreaking effects of the original Jurassic Park, while The Force Awakens utilized cutting-edge techniques to seamlessly blend practical effects with CGI. These advancements enabled legacy sequels to offer a sense of continuity with their predecessors while delivering a spectacle that met contemporary audience expectations.



The emergence of legacy sequels in 2015 also reflected shifts in Hollywood's business strategies. Studios increasingly prioritized "safe bets" with built-in audiences, turning to franchises with proven track records. In an era where theatrical attendance faced competition from streaming services, the familiarity of established intellectual properties (IPs) became a valuable asset. Legacy sequels capitalized on nostalgia while attracting new fans. By appealing to multiple generations, these films maximized their box office potential. The success of The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, and Creed underscored the viability of this approach, encouraging studios to invest further in reviving dormant franchises and reimagining them for modern audiences. While most do their job well, there are some that haven't, such as Independence Day: Resurgence and The Matrix Resurrections. Nevertheless, at their best, legacy sequels are more than just nostalgia trips; they provide opportunities for creative reinvention and meaningful storytelling.


The legacy sequels of 2015 set the stage for a wave of similar projects in subsequent years, from Blade Runner 2049, 2018’s Halloween, Top Gun: Maverick, and Avatar: The Way of Water. These films continue to explore the interplay between old and new, demonstrating the format's enduring appeal. Ultimately, 2015’s contributions to the idea of the legacy sequel reflect a broader cultural desire to connect the past with the present. It’s an approach that seemed invigorating back then, but unfortunately, has gone stale. Yet, in an era of rapid technological and social change, these films offer a sense of continuity and shared experience, bridging generations through the magic of cinema. By blending reverence for history with forward-looking creativity, 2015 birthed a cinematic trend that remains a defining feature of 21st-century Hollywood for better or worse.


You can follow Tyler and hear more of his thoughts on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd.

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