Mad Max is Back? An Alien Prequel? Is it Star Trek 2 or Star Trek XII?

Posted by Jason Parent Nov 4, 2009

In the next three years, fans of science fiction and fantasy film franchises have a lot of cheer for. Many of the genres' biggest names and classic favorites will be returning with new installments or as revamps of the originals. For greater detail, see Upcoming Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Remakes & Sequels.

In addition to The Hobbit and Dune, we got Transformers 3 and Star Trek 2 coming up in 2011. I can't say that I am all that excited about Transformers after the second film, but I know I will get in line like the rest of us lemmings to go see it and probably be disappointed.

Star Trek 2? Now, that's another story. With an excellent cast breathing new life into a dying franchise, Star Trek 2 could be amazing. The operative words there are "could be" — with the right script under J.J. Abrams direction. Hopefully, the past will repeat itself. The second film outings by the prior Enterprise casts (Wrath of Khan for Shatner's clan; First Contact for Stewart's bunch) have been excellent movies.

Still, I am most excited about a planned Alien prequel and the return of Mad Max. Legends will be returning for both film series. Alien director Ridley Scott will helm the prequel, which will have nothing to do with the first movie's story. Much of that project has been kept under wraps, and I look forward to unwrapping it.

George Miller returns for Mad Max, who will not be played by the aging Mel Gibson. There are dozens of ways Miller can make a fantastic continuation or reboot of the film franchise. There are also dozens of ways he could completely ruin it. And fourth films made many years after the third sometimes crap out (e.g., Star Wars: Phantom Menace and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). Tony Sidgwick's article, Mad Max 4: Fury Road in Preproduction!, offers great insight into the new film.

The most confusing film on the horizon has to be a remake of or sequel to Soylent Green. The greatness behind the first one was in the suspense driving Heston's investigation into the mysterious food product and the humorously dramatic revelation of soylent green's source. Now that we know what soylent green is, a sequel seems pointless. And a remake? What are they going to do? Change soylent green's origin? "It's lettuce! Soylent green is lettuce!" just doesn't have the same impact.