5 Wild Sequel Pitches That Almost Ruined Great Sci-Fi Movies

Science fiction is full of imaginative and incredible stories, and many sci-fi movies have become cultural landmarks. While some are part of large franchises, others are excellent one-off films. However, both franchise installments and standalone movies have sometimes been threatened by strange sequel ideas. Throughout film history, countless potential sequels have been proposed, but in the world of sci-fi, some of these unmade films could have actually damaged the reputations of the original, beloved movies.

Throughout the history of science fiction, many beloved franchises and films have seen some truly unusual sequel ideas proposed. These ideas range from simply odd to completely confusing, and some could have even damaged the original movies by making their stories seem weaker in hindsight. Luckily, none of these strange pitches ever became reality.

5) Ghostbusters III: Hellbent

The 1984 film *Ghostbusters* launched a hugely successful franchise that expanded far beyond the original movie. It spawned animated series, comic books, video games, and other products, captivating audiences worldwide with its inventive gadgets and fun, comedic style. Although a sequel, *Ghostbusters II*, came out in 1989, plans for a third film were soon put on hold.

The proposed third *Ghostbusters* movie, originally titled *Hellbent*, would have taken place in a twisted, parallel version of Manhattan called Manhellton. It would have featured the Ghostbusters fighting demons in a fantastical, hellish environment – a significant shift from the tone of the first two films. While the idea sounds intriguing, it’s possible the movie could have seriously harmed the franchise’s overall reputation if it had been made.

4) Superman Lives

The cancelled film *Superman Lives* is legendary among unmade movies. It’s famous for its unusual casting choices – Nicolas Cage as Superman – and for being directed by Tim Burton, with an initial script by Kevin Smith. It’s unclear exactly where it would have fit in the *Superman* movie timeline, following Richard Donner’s films, but there were also suggestions it might have connected to Burton’s *Batman* universe.

Details about the planned movie *Superman Lives* show it would have been a very unusual film. Producer Jon Peters apparently insisted on strange additions like a battle with a giant spider, and that Superman couldn’t fly. He also wanted new characters added just to sell more toys. We’ll never know if the movie would have worked, but it definitely would have been a radical departure from the Superman films of the 70s and 80s, and it possibly could have negatively impacted both Christopher Reeve’s portrayal of Superman and Tim Burton’s *Batman* films in retrospect.

3) The Fifth Element 2

Few movies capture the spirit of 1990s science fiction quite like *The Fifth Element*. Directed by Luc Besson, the film centers on Korben Dallas, a quick-thinking taxi driver whose life is turned upside down when a strange young woman named Leeloo unexpectedly falls into his cab. Featuring a stellar cast, bold visuals, and creative world-building, *The Fifth Element* is widely praised as a truly unique and memorable sci-fi film.

Luc Besson initially considered a sequel to *The Fifth Element* using leftover scenes and ideas from the first film. It’s unclear how this would have worked, but making a movie from discarded material rarely sounds appealing. Though Besson now says this wasn’t his plan, a sequel based on these unused concepts likely would have diminished the unique appeal of the original film.

2) Quentin Tarantino’s Star Trek Sequel

Throughout its long run, the quality of *Star Trek* movies has been quite inconsistent. The Kelvin Timeline films – a modern reimagining of the classic *Star Trek: The Original Series* – were a particularly strong series of movies. However, a proposed fourth film could have potentially damaged the positive reputation those three films earned.

Quentin Tarantino was once going to direct a Star Trek film featuring the actors from the recent trilogy. While Tarantino is a famous director, his vision for the movie was quite different from the other films. He planned a story involving the Enterprise crew, time travel, and a gangster plot inspired by an old episode of the original series. This approach wouldn’t have fit well with the overall tone of the rebooted franchise. Although his idea would have been a fun nod to Star Trek’s history, the movie probably wouldn’t have been a good fit for the series.

1) E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is a beloved science fiction film, and Steven Spielberg’s 1982 movie is frequently remembered as one of the most heartwarming and enchanting films of the 1980s. Its story about childhood and friendship remains powerful even today, more than forty years after it first came out. But if the sequel that was originally planned had been made, our overall view of E.T. might be quite different.

A sequel to *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* was once planned, reportedly called *E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears*. It would have been a much scarier story, with Elliot and his friends being kidnapped by hostile aliens. However, Steven Spielberg decided against it, feeling it would ruin the heartwarming and innocent feel of the original film. Considering how well *E.T.* works as a single story, it’s probably a good thing the darker sequel never happened.

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2025-10-18 19:12

5) Ghostbusters III: Hellbent

4) Superman Lives

3) The Fifth Element 2

2) Quentin Tarantino’s Star Trek Sequel

1) E.T. II: Nocturnal Fears

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