Some characters are so iconic,their stories must be told over and over again. Of course, audiences aren’t typically going to buy tickets to see the same movie multiple times. Because of that, creators often capitalize on opportunities to reinvent beloved characters; keeping their identity the same, but showing off a new side of them that perhaps the audience had never considered before. This gives viewers an exciting, new experience, while still making the most of the character’s preexisting popularity.
A popular current example of this would beWicked, based on the acclaimed Broadway musical, which inventively reimagines the iconic antagonist ofThe Wizard of Oz.Wickedmay be the most recent, but it is far from the first film to put a new spin on a legendary character. From comic book villains to beloved childhood heroes, plenty of notable characters have been given a new life in later films. Although they may have varying degrees of success, these movies fully reinvented the characters audiences had come to know and love, offering a fresh, new take on their stories.
10Joker (2019)
A Dark Origin for the Iconic Villain
One of the most iconic villains in comic book history is undoubtedly the Joker. Outside of comics, this haunting, clown-like villain has been portrayed in numerous movies and television shows over the years, but none dared to approach the character in the wayJokerdid. Directed by Todd Phillips, this Oscar-winning 2019 film explored the origins of the man who came to be known by his “Joker” alter ego.
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The acclaimed film gave a new level of depth to the character that had been captivating audiences for decades.Jokerhas little to no connections to the comics or other versions of the character.The film follows Arthur Fleck (played by Joaquin Phoenix), a failing clown whose struggling mental state is amplified by the toxic, violent city around him.
Joker
Cast
Directed by Todd Phillips, Joker is an origin story for Batman’s most iconic villain. Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is a down-on-his-luck clown who is trying to become a successful stand-up comedian. When things don’t go according to plan, and Arthur feels Gotham is oppressing him and others with mental illness, Arthur sparks a violent revolution within the city.
Although he exists in the same universe as legendary heroes like Batman, Arthur does not have superpowers of any kind.The film paints him as an everyday individual driven to madness by the world around him. ThoughJokerproved to be a highly divisive film, it is impossible to deny that it offers a refreshingly unique take on the classic character.
9Lightyear (2022)
The Fictional Film Which Inspired the Beloved Toy
Pixar is no stranger to expanding the universe of the studio’s beloved films, butLightyearwas certainly among the most creative ways of doing so. The character of Buzz Lightyear has been around for as long as Pixar has been making feature films, appearing as a prominent character in everyToy Storymovie. In 2022, however, Pixar decided to take Buzz in a new direction, giving him a unique “origin story” of sorts.Lightyearacts as a sort of film-within-a-film, presenting itself as the fictional movie that inspired Andy’s beloved space ranger toy.
Lightyear
Disney Pixar branches the Toy Story franchise off with Lightyear, a story that centers around a human version of the Buzz Lightyear toy and his missions with Star command. Set during an exploration mission, Lightyear and his crew are attacked during a scouting mission by alien lifeforms and find themselves stranded on an unknown planet. To help get everyone home, Lightyear volunteers on a dangerous mission to test pilot their means home. However, each test light passes time and the characters age in his absence.
Lightyearreceived mixed reviews, partially because many weren’t entirely sure what the film was supposed to be. Audiences were confused about why the beloved character now looked and sounded quite different, and whether there was any real connection to theToy Storyfranchise at all. Although it may not have captured the same magic as previousPixar movies,Lightyeardid manage to present a unique premise, offering the studio another chance to step a bit outside the box.
8Solo: A Star Wars Story(2018)
How the Rebel Hero Came to Be
Widely known as one of the most iconic heroes in cinema history, Han Solo is one of the main characters in numerousStar Warsmovies, making his screen debut in the 1977 feature that started it all.Throughout the original trilogy, although Han was a fan-favorite character, very little was known about his life leading up toStar Wars.
This 2018 film finally showed audiences how Han evolved from a misguided thief into the hero audiences know and love.
That is, untilSolo: A Star Wars Storywas released. Directed by Ron Howard, this 2018 film finally showed audiences how Han evolved from a misguided thief into the hero audiences know and love.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Solo: A Star Wars Story explores the early adventures of Han Solo, showcasing his beginnings and key encounters with significant characters in the Star Wars universe. Set in a backdrop of galactic turmoil, the film delves into the origins of his famed relationships and his rise as a rebellious smuggler.
Soloreceived mixed reviews from critics, although praise was given to the performances by the cast, which included Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, and Donald Glover, among many others. While the film underperformed at the box office and never received any live-action follow-up,Solodoes offer a fun, fast-paced adventure for those looking to casually experience a story of intergalactic proportions.
7Cruella (2021)
An Exciting, Stylized Twist on the Classic Disney Villain
Fifty years after the initial release ofOne Hundred and One Dalmatians, audiences finally got to see a new side of the puppy-stealing villain, Cruella de Vil. While she was portrayed as a heartless monster inDisney’s original animated film, Craig Gillespie completely reimagined the character with his 2021 feature,Cruella.Starring Emma Stone in the titular role, the film explores how Cruella came to be the fashion-forward icon she was known as, simultaneously revealing her to be not nearly as malevolent as she originally seemed.
Cruella
Cruella is the live-action reimagining of the 101 Dalmatians villain and her origin story. It stars Emma Stone as Estella, an aspiring fashion designer and talented grifter. After finding herself pitted against her boss, the Baroness (Emma Thompson), she creates the alter-ego Cruella, a dangerous criminal who will do whatever it takes to get ahead in both the fashion world and in life.
Cruellawas certainly one of Disney’s boldest live-action films based on an animated classic, not shying away from the dark backstory of its protagonist, while also introducing a new, highly intimidating villain in the process.The film even managed to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, while also securing a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.Thanks to these elements and the impressive performances of the cast,Cruellaproved to be an exciting way to reinvent one of Disney’s most iconic villains.
6Creed (2015)
A New Role for Stallone’s Legendary Character
Nearly forty years after Sylvester Stallone amazed audiences with his first performance as Rocky Balboa, he returned to put a new spin on the legendary boxer inCreed.Directed by Ryan Coogler,Creedstars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, an amateur boxer who turns to Rocky for help developing his skills in the ring.
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Stallone may have aged forty years betweenRockyandCreed,but he didn’t let that stop him from giving life to the character. Of course, by the timeCreedbegins, Rocky is not the youthful boxer he once was.
Creed
Creed is a spin-off/continuation of the boxing drama franchise Rocky. Set years after the original Rocky series, Creed follows Adonis Johnson, the estranged son of Apollo Creed, on a journey to Philadelphia to find his father’s friend/rival, Rocky Balboa. Now training to follow in his father’s footsteps, Creed fights to become the best boxer in the world.
Instead, he takes on a much different role in the film. InCreed, the audience gets to see him in his post-boxing life, running a restaurant in Philadelphia, before ultimately agreeing to act as a trainer and mentor for Adonis.For bringing the role in such a new direction, Stallone received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
5Dolittle (2020)
An Adventure-Driven Story for the Iconic Veterinarian
The character of Dr. Dolittle, the gifted veterinarian with the ability to speak to animals, was first created for a series of children’s books by Hugh Lofting, dating back as early as the 1920s.The character was then popularized in the world of film with a series of movies starring Eddie Murphy in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Dolittle
Dolittle is a 2020 reboot of the Doctor Dolittle franchise starring Robert Downey Jr. The film is partly based on Hugh Lofting’s novel The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle and centers on the titular character as he searches for a mysterious island with his crew of talking animals. The film received poor reviews upon release and was also a box-office failure.
In 2020, however, the character was reinvented,being portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.In the film, Dr. Dolittle sets off on an adventure with his animal allies in an attempt to find a magical fruit that can heal Queen Victoria.
Unfortunately, this latest rebirth of the character was not nearly as successful (critically or commercially) as its predecessor.
Dolittlestruggled to turn a profit on its nearly 200-million-dollar budget and was widely panned by critics.Even with its stellar cast, the film failed to put any exciting spin on the character, leaving audiences generally unsatisfied.Dolittleserves as a reminder that a movie can’t simply show off a preexisting character and expect to be a guaranteed success.
4Logan (2017)
A Gritty, Dramatic Spin on the Legendary Hero
Hugh Jackman has played the prominent X-Men hero, Wolverine, many times, but none are quite like how the character is portrayed in the 2017 film,Logan.Directed by James Mangold,Logantakes place in the near future and features an older, ailing Wolverine. Unlike previous iterations, where the character seemed practically invincible, this dramatic film reminds audiences of the inevitability of age, and that even superpowers can start fading away over time. The film follows a much different story, having Logan act as a caretaker to both Charles Xavier and a young girl with whom he is deeply connected.
Logan
Logan is set in a near future where an aging Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman, takes care of a frail Professor Xavier, portrayed by Patrick Stewart, at a secluded location near the Mexican border. Their secluded existence is disrupted by the arrival of a young mutant, pursued by malevolent forces.
Even though (or perhaps because) it was boldly different from previous depictions of the character,Loganproved to be widely successful with critics and audiences alike.Viewers loved the more dramatic depiction of his character and felt that this new storyline gave a proper (albeit tragic) sendoff to the beloved hero, although Jackman would eventually return to reprise the role once again inDeadpool and Wolverine. Though putting such an emotional spin on an iconic superhero isn’t always well-received,Loganproved that it can be an excellent choice if done with proper care.
3Maleficent (2014)
An Unseen Side of the Imposing Villain
Very little was known about Maleficent when she first appeared in the 1959 Disney film,Sleeping Beauty.It was not until 2014 that audiences were finally shown who the character is, and why she does what she does.Maleficentreveals a more caring side to the intimidating character, depicting the development of her maternal relationship to Aurora, and her remorse for putting a curse on the innocent girl.
Maleficent
A live-action reimagining of the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent follows the titular fairy witch (Angelina Jolie) in a dark fantasy origin story. After falling in love with a human, Maleficent is betrayed when he steals her wings. Swearing revenge, she curses his infant daughter, Princess Aurora, leading to a retelling of the beloved fairytale from an alternate perspective.
The film gives Maleficent much more depth, allowing her to make both good and bad choices, while ultimately redefining her as an unconventional hero.Maleficentreceived mixed reviews from critics, although consistent praise was given to Angelina Jolie’s inspired performance as the titular character.
The real challenge of villain origin story films is managing to change how the audience sees a character without having to alter or detract from how they are shown in previous iterations.
Jolie managed to embody Maleficent in a way that evoked sympathy from the audience,while also being sure to acknowledge the wrongdoings of the character. The real challenge of villain origin story films is managing to change how the audience sees a character without having to alter or detract from how they are shown in previous iterations.Maleficentsucceeds in finding this satisfying balance.
A Gripping, Post-Apocalyptic Origin Story
George Miller’sMad Maxfranchiseis full of fascinating, multilayered characters, and Furiosa is easily among the most compelling.The character was first introduced as a prominent part ofMad Max: Fury Roadin 2015, immediately becoming a favorite among fans, but very little was known about how she became the iconic hero seen in the film. That finally changed in 2024, with the release ofFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga, which provided the emotional, action-packed backstory audiences had been craving.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
A prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa is an action-adventure film that tells the origin story of the headstrong and fearless Furiosa. Set shortly after the beginning of the “end of the world,” Furiosa is kidnapped and brought before a powerful warlord, now forced to work for him. To find her way back home, Furiosa will adapt to the new harsh and arid world as she grows into the Furiosa she becomes known to be.
AlthoughFuriosacertainly includes all the loud, explosive action audiences have come to expect from the franchise, it never shies away from the deeply tragic nature of the character’s origins. As a child, Furiosa was kidnapped from her beautiful home, and forced to spend much of her life living alongside a deranged, violent warlord, constantly having to fight to survive. Although the film didn’t perform well at the box office, it was received very well by critics, with praise given to the exciting action and heartfelt performances.
1Wicked (2024)
A Musical Reinvention of Cinema’s Legendary Witch
Wickedis undoubtedly among the most popular Broadway shows of all time, and, in 2024, it has finally been reimagined to the big screen.Wickedoffers a complex, inspiring reinvention of one of the most iconic villains in the history of cinema: The Wicked Witch of the West. Serving as a prequel of sorts toThe Wizard of Oz, the film follows the budding friendship between Elphaba and Galinda, two witches living in the land of Oz.
Wicked
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wickedhas been an overwhelming success, both critically and commercially.The film features an all-star cast, led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and is directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Reinventing such an iconic character is no easy feat, but, with its dazzling performances and memorable musical elements,Wickedoffers a new interpretation of that universe that is mesmerizing audiences worldwide.
