Does continuation matter in a film sequel or series?

[choicebro2001]

Does continuation matter in a film series or sequel? By continuation I mean same actor, director, setting, writer. Prime examples are the BATMAN films. Look what happened when Burton and Keaton left (mind you Burton DID actually produce BATMAN FOREVER) we were left with regurgitated neon lights and lots of crap. I like the idea of film sequels spread over time. Look how effective THE COLOR OF MONEY was. The Bond series was spread over time but it's fair enough to say that Bond time is universal. Everything stayed pretty much the same in the way of structure and plot. Fasion and Bonds face (take Rogar Moore in A VIEW TO A KILL) unfortunately did. But is it important when you watched HANNIBAL and saw Moore instead of FOSTER was the intensity and the sexual tension left behind. Should some things stay the same and others change?

[CyclicNightmare]

Not at all. BATMAN BEGINS will remind us.

[Scarface98.9]

It can matter depending on the direction of the sequels. Seeing different actors in roles can feel pretty weird, and sometimes just doesn't fit. One reason the Rings series did well was having each character be consistent with the actors since it was all shot at once, and was pretty seamless. I just hope the X-Men series goes the same way

[Moosem216]

Originally posted by Scarface98.9
It can matter depending on the direction of the sequels. Seeing different actors in roles can feel pretty weird, and sometimes just doesn't fit. One reason the Rings series did well was having each character be consistent with the actors since it was all shot at once, and was pretty seamless. I just hope the X-Men series goes the same way

I generally agree. The only situation in which I can feel comfortable with multiple actors is when the series turns into a franchise or long running thing, and the continuation of it depends on getting different actors. An obvious example would be Bond or in China the Wong Fei-Hong movies.

The other time I can sometimes feel comfortable with a switch is when the character role itself is developed and appreciated beyond the actor who plays him. I think Batman is like that, as are many comic book movies. For example, I think if The Hulk became a series of movies, it would be fine switching around actors.

And while it would suck to have to switch actors for any of the X-Men roles, I would be willing to make that sacrifice in exchange for the franchise continuing well beyond X-4.