What Makes A Franchise: Story or Actors?

Franchise films: Stars or Character Driver

Some of the very best, most popular, not to mention profitable, movie franchises are studded with big named 'A' listers.  For example, 'Avengers: Infinity War' inclued Robert Downey, Scarlett Johansson, Chad Boseman, etc. In fact, most of the Marvel character-based films have loads of 'A' listers.

So the question has become: what is driving the franchise box-office? Is it the stars or is it the Marvel, superhero characters?  Now, take a franchise like the 'Incredibles', being animated it has no human actors, yet it is a box-office smash. In fact, its family-based characters are the films' biggest selling point.

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Let me put it this way. If a franchise film had no human 'A' listers would you still visit your local cinema and see it? The answer is Yes, pure and simple.

To me, it is quite obvious that franchise films don't need a cadre of big-name actors to carry them to box-office success.  'Solo: A Star Wars Story' is a great example, can you name the actor who plays Han Solo in the film? On the other hand, one of this summer's expected big money makers, 'Skyscraper', would probably not garner a big box-office payday if Dwayne Johnson, was not in the lead role. He's the Rock and he draws in moviegoers like a magnet.

Bond, the ultimate Franchise

Franchise films, like 'Mission Impossible', have latched onto a star, in this case Tom Cruise, and stayed with him, as he bring in the money.  At 55, Cruise has no plans on giving up the phyicaly demanding aspects of the 'Impossible' films - but how long can this last? Like the Bond films, if the "MI" franchise is to continue Cruise will have to be replaced.

Now, a perfect example of star-power in a franchise was the 'Oceans' series. With, Clooney, Pitt, Damon, and Cheadle running complicated capers the three 'Oceans' pics would never have made blockbuster status without these 'A' listers.  Now they are trying to replicate it in 'Oceans 8' with a stellar all female cast: Bullock, Blanchett, Rihanna, Paulson, Kaling, and Awkwafina - it will be interesting to see if the women can keep the franchise 'working'.

To sum up - it seems that in this time of the franchise - stars have to really push or come in bunches to carry the films and avoid extinction. Because in the 'great cinematic universe' stars die out while a franchise, like black space, can live on forever.

Best,

Jim Lavorato
by: Cinema Mucho Gusto