TV Series and Film Franchises That Grew Beyond Their Titles
The inability of film and television series to simply rename themselves leaves some with titles that are no longer accurate to their content. Long-running franchises inevitably change, but occasionally those changes are so profound that the original titles no longer make sense. A great title should thrill viewers and capture the spirit of the film or television program. But a franchise may wind up with a title that is no longer appropriate if it carries on long enough to change its emphasis.
TV series are unable to simply rename themselves in order to better reflect the way their story is developing. Similar to this, movie franchises can set themselves apart with distinctive titles for their sequels, but in order to increase ticket sales, studios frequently choose to use a well-known series name. Many film and television series, even with their early popularity, end themselves tied to titles that no longer speak to their fundamental ideas.
The Saw Franchise: There Are Other Killers Besides Jigsaw
There are already ten Saw films in the series, and there will be one more in 2025. Subsequent films haven't been able to duplicate the visual shock factor of the first movie, even if it helped make it successful with its iconic moment of Gordon slicing off his foot. Over the years, the games and traps have gotten increasingly intricate and inventive.
The name of the franchise comes from the nickname "Jigsaw," given to John Kramer; nevertheless, Jigsaw was killed in Saw III. The title "Saw" has less significance now that his prominent part has shrunk, despite the fact that his legacy continues to impact Movies to come. Perhaps Saw X, a direct sequel that turns back time to bring Jigsaw back, can help restore the title's original significance.
Lost: The Secrets Away from the Island
At first glance, the rich and intricate mythology of Lost seemed to perfectly capture the spirit of its many secrets. The Oceanic 815 survivors did not, however, stay stranded indefinitely. A flash-forward in Season 4 showed several characters going home, which made the "lost" part less significant.
Throughout its whole run, viewers remained captivated by the otherworldly secrets on Lost. The show gradually changed its focus from survival to escape during the first few seasons. By the conclusion, the characters realized that their exile on the island was not accidental, which made the idea of just getting away seem less appealing. Although true at first, the title of Lost eventually fell short of capturing the development of the program.
Search Party: Going Beyond the First Look
The dark comedy Search Party's first season follows a group of friends as they looked for a friend who had gone missing. But after she found out, the episode took a surprising turn. In seasons two and three, the buddies covered up a murder and went on trial. Although Season 4 brought back the idea of a search party, it felt more like an oversight than a purposeful change.
Search Party defies expectations all the time. The show's deviation from the idea of its title resulted in a number of unexpected story points. Far from the original idea, by the fifth season Dory was leading a psychedelic enlightenment cult. The title still captures the underlying ideas of intrigue and discovery of the show, even with its frequent genre changes.
Beyond the Thrill of Novelty: New Girl
At first, New Girl was the ideal title for the sitcom, emphasizing Jess's move into an apartment full of young men. But the show swiftly abandoned the "battle of the sexes" dynamic and adopted a different strategy.
As Jess developed from a stranger to a welcomed friend, the program became a generic yet entertaining sitcom about young folks sharing a house. The title's emphasis on Jess seemed out of date because the cast took turns being in the spotlight. Despite being successful, the show's growth led to a title that no longer accurately captured its essential characteristics.
The Pink Panther: An Infatuated with Diamonds Franchise
Peter Sellers' portrayal of the dimwitted Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther series is well known. It was never the intention for Clouseau to be the main character. He only has a little role in the 1963 motion picture The Pink Panther. Sir Charles Lytton, a gentleman jewel thief also referred to as "The Phantom," is the primary character. He goes after the diamond known as the "Pink Panther" from the movie.
Despite not having any connection to the story, The Pink Panther diamond is stolen and recovered in a number of Movies. kid of The Pink Panther (1993), which centers on Inspector Clouseau's kid and has nothing to do with the diamond, is the most heinous example. Regardless of its narrative relevance, the franchise's preoccupation with the diamond leads to titles that don't always adequately convey the plot.
A Changing Family Dynamic: Two And A Half Men
At first, Two And A Half Men concentrated on the story of two brothers who shared weekend custody of their son. But as performers grow out of their parts, having a child star frequently shortens the runtime of a program. At the age of ten, August T. Jones began portraying Jake; however, he did not stop performing in Two and a Half Men until he was an adult.
Two and a Half guys revolved around three adult guys for a while. But when Jones left to go to college, the show deviated even more from its namesake, with just two guys remaining in the cast. The title's disconnection from the developing story is further highlighted by the fact that Jake's character was left unreplaced when Charlie Sheen was replaced by Ashton Kutcher.
Friday 13: Going Above and Below Friday
The Friday The 13th series quickly moves past its namesake date. When Jason's mother goes on a killing rampage to exact revenge for her son's death on the same date years earlier, the first film takes place on Friday the 13th. A few years after the events of Friday the 13th, Part II returns to the franchise, but it quickly departs from this idea.
The franchise's lack of focus on Friday The 13th indicates Friday the 13th's diminishing significance, even though some movies may not specifically mention the date. The franchise's star, Jason, is capable of using his machete and hockey mask on any given day of the year. The date-focused focus of the title loses all significance given Jason's ongoing reign of evil.
A Multiplicity of Survivors: The Last Man On Earth
Phil finds out that he isn't the last survivor at the end of The Last Man On Earth's first episode. But because his only friends are women, he thinks for the first few episodes that he is the last guy on Earth. Todd's entrance alters this dynamic, which prompts Phil to look for further survivors.
Even though Phil finally understands he's not The Last Man On Earth, he still wishes this weren't the case. A recently discovered disguised people surrounds Phil and his group as The Last Man on Earth comes to a dramatic conclusion. The show was canceled before season 5 could resolve this, leaving the title's original meaning unresolved. Ultimately, the title's literal interpretation became increasingly inaccurate as the show expanded its narrative landscape.
The Raid: Beyond the Initial Attack
The Raid, also known as The Raid: Redemption, is a groundbreaking martial arts film featuring pencak silat, an Indonesian martial art. The film's stars, including Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, and Joe Taslim, achieved Hollywood success. The Raid's impact was immediate, leading to a sequel that completely ignored the title's premise.
While most franchises gradually depart from their initial meaning, The Raid does so immediately. The first film follows an elite tactical team raiding an apartment block in Jakarta. The sequel expands its scope, with one character going undercover to expose police corruption in Jakarta's criminal underworld. While The Raid 2 delivers another stunning display of martial arts, it lacks any semblance of a raid, rendering the title inaccurate.
Veep: Beyond the Vice Presidency
British satirist Armando Iannucci, creator of the popular political comedy The Thick of It, turned his attention to the D.C. bubble. His focus on the concept of "Veep" is understandable, as Britain lacks an equivalent to the vice presidency. The role of VP is often considered a consolation prize for unsuccessful presidential candidates, and Iannucci expertly dissects this inherent power imbalance.
Some of Veep's best seasons occur long after Selina has relinquished her vice presidential role, rendering the title redundant. Selina's ascension to the Oval Office in season 3 of Veep marks a significant shift in the show's dynamics. The show's strongest moments often depict Selina on the campaign trail with her constantly bickering team. She even uses the promise of a running mate nomination as a threat, highlighting the vice president's actual impotence. As Veep evolved, its title became increasingly less relevant to the show's central focus.
