4 Sci-fi Franchises That Need a Modern Sequel

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Hollywood has demonstrated that it’s never too late to bring back popular science fiction series. The success of *Blade Runner 2049*, released 35 years after the original *Blade Runner*, proved that a well-made sequel can actually enhance a classic film. *Tron: Legacy*, which came out 28 years after the first *Tron*, used updated special effects to bring the original’s vision of a digital world to life. Even long breaks between films in the *Alien* and *Predator* series have allowed those franchises to feel fresh and exciting. This pattern suggests that revisiting other classic sci-fi movies with eager fans could be a good idea.

The best reason to revive these franchises on the big screen is their history of success beyond movie theaters. While these stories haven’t been told in cinemas for over twenty years, they’ve continued to thrive through other mediums. They’ve expanded their universes with games, novels that added depth to the original stories, and extensive comic book series exploring new ideas. This long-term growth proves a dedicated fanbase has kept these worlds alive, creating a solid base for a successful return to the cinema.

1) The Last Starfighter

Released in 1984, *The Last Starfighter* follows Alex Rogan, a teenager living in a trailer park, who discovers his skills at an arcade game aren’t just for fun – they’re a test to find recruits for a real space war. The film was notable for its groundbreaking use of computer-generated special effects in its space battles. It tapped into the popular fantasy of escaping into video games, turning a top score into a chance to become a hero. While the movie ended with Alex and his girlfriend Maggie flying off to fight on the frontier, leaving the possibility of sequels, those adventures never came to be.

Beyond the movie itself, the world of *The Last Starfighter* grew through a novel by Alan Dean Foster, and there were plans for a video game on the Atari system, though it never came to fruition. Despite the film’s dedicated fanbase, a sequel has been stuck in development for many years, largely because Universal and Warner Bros. share the rights and can’t agree on a path forward. Several attempts have been made to get a sequel made, including a planned follow-up called *The Last Starfighters* from the original writer, Jonathan Betuel, and *Rogue One* writer Gary Whitta, which would have brought back Alex Rogan to mentor a new hero. A new sequel could finally realize the potential of the original film, using today’s visual effects to fully explore the universe it created.

2) Dark City

Alex Proyas’s 1998 film, *Dark City*, is a visually stunning and thought-provoking science fiction thriller. The story centers on John Murdoch, played by Rufus Sewell, who wakes up with no memory in a city that’s always dark. He soon learns that strange beings are secretly changing reality and people’s memories while they sleep. As Inspector Bumstead (William Hurt) hunts him, Murdoch realizes he has the same power to alter reality as these beings, leading to a climactic showdown that changes everything.

The ending of *Dark City* isn’t really an ending at all – it sets the stage for what could happen next. Director Alex Proyas has long wanted to continue the story, and he’s currently working on a television series as a sequel. He envisions the series exploring what would happen if Murdoch, now in control of the city’s reality, were to wield that immense power. This project aims to go beyond the original film’s mysteries and examine the complicated social and psychological effects of its conclusion, showing that there are still many stories to tell in this world. So far, however, the only new content we’ve seen is the short film *Mask of the Evil Apparition*, which Proyas released in 2021.

3) The Fifth Element

Luc Besson’s *The Fifth Element* is a visually stunning and truly original science fiction film. Taking place in the 23rd century, it follows a jaded taxi driver named Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) who unexpectedly finds himself on a quest to protect Earth from a powerful cosmic threat. He teams up with Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a seemingly perfect being who is the key to saving the planet. The film is famous for its incredibly creative and detailed world, featuring everything from flying cars in New York City to over-the-top alien opera and the flamboyant media personality Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker).

Despite director Luc Besson’s consistent refusal to make a sequel to *The Fifth Element*, the story’s universe has grown through other formats. Although a video game released in 1998 wasn’t well-received, French comic books have significantly expanded the storyline. These comics, including *The Story of the Great Evil*, act as both prequels and sequels, fleshing out the background and details only briefly touched upon in the film. This expanded universe proves that new stories could be adapted for the screen, even without Luc Besson’s direct involvement.

4) The Abyss

James Cameron’s 1989 film, *The Abyss*, is a visually stunning and suspenseful underwater adventure. The story centers on an oil rig team, headed by Bud Brigman (Ed Harris), tasked with recovering a lost nuclear submarine. While working deep in the Cayman Trough, they come across a strange, possibly alien, life form, challenging them to examine what it means to be human. *The Abyss* was a landmark achievement in filmmaking, famous for its innovative visual effects and pioneering use of computer-generated imagery, contributing to its dedicated fanbase.

Although the movie *The Abyss* ends with a globally significant event, a sequel has never been made. The extended version of the film shows that a peaceful underwater race, the NTIs, prevents a nuclear war by creating massive waves that threaten coastal cities. The official novel by Orson Scott Card added even more detail, explaining the NTIs’ origins and reasons for acting. Considering James Cameron’s love of ocean exploration and his recent success with the long-awaited *Avatar: The Way of Water*, many feel a return to the world of *The Abyss* would be a great opportunity to examine the political fallout from humanity’s first encounter with alien life.

What science fiction movie or series do you think deserves a sequel? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-09-16 16:11