Comeback kings
Five properties that went away… and then came back, with stunning results
1 BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017)
YEARS AWAY: 35
Ryan Gosling stars as Officer K, a blade runner tasked with ‘retiring’ rogue replicants. However, K is a replicant himself and, after one particular job, unearths a secret that not only shakes the foundations of his beliefs but leads him to the door of another blade runner, one who has been missing for decades.
Why so long? A complete story in itself (and one with modest box office returns), Blade Runner didn’t cry out for a sequel in the ’80s. The film’s enduring cult appeal and the advancement of special effects, though, led Warner Bros. to acquire sequel rights in 2011.
2 IT
(2017)
YEARS AWAY: 27
Like the monster at its heart, It slumbered for nearly three decades after feasting on our fears as an early ’90s miniseries. Here, resurrected and updated to reflect the modern horror palate, Andy Muschietti’s adaptation of the Stephen King story once more sees supernatural clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) preying on the children of a small Maine town.
Why so long? A weighty tome, It was near impossible to condense into a single film, but that didn’t stop the studio from trying. In the end they (wisely) opted for a two-parter, of which this is the first.
3 KONG: SKULL ISLAND (2017)
YEARS AWAY: 12
If King Kong swatting planes from the air wasn’t enough to satiate your craving for super-sized action, Jordan Vogt-roberts’ carnage-heavy take on the great ape might be exactly what you’re after. When a team of scientists explore a hidden island in the South Pacific, they discover Kong in his natural habitat — which also contains a number of other prehistoric horrors.
Why so long? Initially announced in 2014, the latest Kong was put on hold to set up a crossover movie between Kong and Legendary Entertainments’ rebooted Godzilla. To-date this monster mash-up has yet to emerge, but fingers crossed we’ll see the ultimate creature feature after the upcoming Godzilla: King Of The Monsters.
4 THE ITALIAN JOB (2003)
YEARS AWAY: 34
Despite its headline job not actually taking place in Italy (there’s a Venice heist at the start to justify the title), this reimagining of the ’60s crime caper is a surprising winner. Mark Wahlberg steps into Michael Caine’s shoes as Charlie Croker, who sets out an elaborate plan to steel a cache of gold from the employer who betrayed him. Worth it just for the revamped Mini chase — here taking place on the streets (and sidewalks) of bustling downtown LA.
Why so long? Bond scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade took a pass at an Italian Job draft several years earlier but it was rejected. It wasn’t until this version landed on its desks — a film more ‘inspired’ by the original than a direct remake — that Paramount gave it the green light.
5 STAR TREK (2009)
YEARS AWAY: 7
J.J. Abrams’ reboot managed to bring new life into a franchise that felt like it had breathed its last. Taking familiar characters but casting younger, sexier stars, Abrams told the story of Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock’s (Zachary Quinto) first mission together, pulled out of Starfleet Academy on an emergency mission when Vulcan is attacked by vengeful Romulan Nero (Eric Bana).
Why so long? After 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis (and ill-fated TV series Enterprise), many feared Star Trek had boldly gone for good. It took a complete reboot (technically an alternate timeline) to popularise the series once more — spurred in part by Paramount’s need to develop another movie or lose the rights altogether.