I was a fanfiction kid. Harry Potter fanfiction, specifically, had a chokehold on me. There’s a lot more Harry Potter fanfiction out there than you would expect– once, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent 12 hours straight scrolling through Wattpad to find stories about the Marauders. The liberties taken in those stories were truly innumerable, and I remember being over the moon about finding so much alternative content related to a series I adored.

This kind of practice is not limited to the world of Harry Potter. The practice of using one’s creativity to come up with stories surrounding beloved works of fiction is practiced in a multitude of forms, from fanfiction to fanart to simple imagination. When loveable characters are put out into the world, people will do as they please with them. 

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed somewhat of a drought of creative content being put out into the world. I feel as though every time I look to see what’s in theaters near me, it’s always a sequel– Zootopia 2, Wicked: For Good, or heaven forbid another Mission Impossible movie. Sure, it’s always possible to discover old films or rewatch shows you love, but nothing new and original has caught my attention in a very long time.

I understand the rationale of sequels. If a movie does well, it’s only logical to assume that the filmmakers will make another similar film in an attempt to make more money. It’s not a bad strategy. However, with every sequel produced, I feel my excitement for the characters and story drain a little more. For example, Stranger Things was innovative and fun nearly a decade ago; currently, we’re on season five and I can’t even remember what happened in season four. My investment in characters I once loved has been in a consistent state of declination, and it’s entirely due to the lack of original content being created.

Don’t get me wrong: some sequels are fantastic. For example, the Incredibles II movie did an excellent job of introducing new characters, adding genuine and relatable complexities to characters we knew, and incorporating a compelling and fresh plot. My love for that particular franchise was deepened by the execution of the second installation. However, it requires a clear vision and steady hand to properly pull off a sequel film. If it’s lacking in any of the aforementioned aspects, then I get bored. It’s as simple as that.

All in all, although sequels aren’t always a bad idea, they’re incredibly difficult to nail, and if they aren’t created perfectly, people lose interest. So often, the motivation behind sequel films is greed rather than popular demand. I know that I myself would rather have innovative content on my screen– not just out of selfish desire, but out of a desire to see all of the subsequent creative voices that spring forward as a response.

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Evelyn Foster at [email protected].