The dust is still settling on the Warner Bros. and Discovery merger which has completely changed the entertainment landscape. Huge changes are coming, and it appears that HBO Max is already facing its untimely end. The future is still up in the air in regards to what will happen to the streaming service.
While it's likely to be replaced, whatever successor takes on its role, it will essentially still be HBO Max in spirit. Even if the platform was to survive in its current format, these major franchises are going to define whether audiences keep coming back to the streaming service, or whether HBO Max simply doesn't have anything to offer.
DC Comics
DC Comics should surely be the flagship of HBO Max and Warner Discovery moving forward. There's so much potential from the graphic novel brand, and yet it still hasn't been fully capitalized on in the same way that the distinguished competition have managed to.
The recent cancellation of Batgirl's movie, alongside other DC concepts getting put on hold suggests an overhaul is inbound. It's a true shame that developing projects have been forever removed; HBO Max needs to be adding to its DC collection and not be limiting its options.
Rick & Morty
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Adult Swim will likely prove to be a fantastic commodity in the coming years, as HBO Max continues to expand and evolve. One of the greatest animated sitcoms of all time has to be the bizarre sci-fi hit, Rick & Morty. The show has been renewed for countless more seasons and there's always the potential for a spinoff.
The fact is, Rick & Morty could make a very comfortable home at HBO Max if the streaming platform gives the show the respect it deserves. The surface has just been scratched on the strange meta comedies that could be created from the initial concept and Warner Bros. Discovery hasn't failed to capitalize on the brand elsewhere.
The Wizarding World
The Wizarding World hasn't truly thrived since the original Harry Potter saga ended. While Fantastic Beasts attempted to revive the franchise, The Cursed Child has come the closest to truly continuing the legacy of the original, showing audiences what happened next.
While the rumor mill is always turning in regard to a Wizarding World TV show, it's absolutely shocking that HBO Max has yet to accompany the wide range of films with further serialized storytelling. Fans don't want to leave Hogwarts behind, so it's surprising that the franchise hasn't been given the opportunity to rise back to prominence again.
Game Of Thrones
House of the Dragon is a demonstration that HBO won't be turning its back on the Westeros series after the conclusion of Game of Thrones. There's just too much narrative potential for the franchise to be left on the shelf for too long. However, that's not the only spin-off in store.
Out of all the intellectual properties that could take ahold of HBO Max in the coming years, the George R.R. Martin adaptations have to be the only ones that Warner Bros. Discovery has truly leaned into. With a Jon Snow show on the way and countless other tales in development, fans won't be left wanting content.
The Matrix
Off the back of the latest sequel release and its inclusion in projects like Space Jam: A New Legacy, The Matrix has suddenly become relevant to pop culture again. There is a whole range of directions that the franchise could now go in, from sequels to reboots.
Just like with the Wizarding World, speculation continues to surface that an HBO TV show is in the works. In the same vain as Westworld, an ongoing sci-fi drama that explores the intricacies of what reality really is, could appeal to a niche market and allow HBO Max to contribute something unique.
Looney Tunes
From Wacky Races to Scooby-Doo, Tom & Jerry and Animaniacs, all related animated characters that have crossed over into the Looney Tunes world have contributed a huge part to Warner Bros. legacy and cinema history.
They are still as popular today as they ever were, and HBO Max cannot ignore that younger audience and those looking for a little bit of nostalgia. These characters could easily be renewed in a way that appeals to all ages, modernizing the format and perhaps redefining animation on streaming by taking it back to its earliest days.
Mad Max
The release of Mad Max: Fury Road was such a shock for audiences and completely revitalized the whole concept. Not much has been done with the brand since, although a Furiosa spinoff is still in the works. However, even if that gets canceled, there's no reason why HBO Max couldn't just step back into that barren landscape.
The beauty of a Mad Max TV show for instance is that it genuinely doesn't have to include Max himself. A new protagonist could easily be seen trying to navigate their way throughout the post-apocalyptic wastelands on their own quest.
All Elite Wrestling
There's been a revitalization of the wrestling business in recent years, with the biggest name of them all, WWE, evolving massively. With the likes of IMPACT! and NJPW also getting a slice of that industry growth, Warner Bros. Discovery may want to look at their own properties to take advantage.
As one of the leaders of the pack, All Elite Wrestling is going from strength to strength. It's building future stars while also reverting back to what made the sport so entertaining and popular to begin with. HBO Max might want to add some wrestling to its line-up by adding the many hours of content AEW have already produced while becoming the home of their Pay Per View events.
MonsterVerse
The MonsterVerse has encapsulated Godzilla, Kong and their surrounding Kaiju characters. The success of the series was absolutely prevalent in the last cinematic release that saw the titans do battle. Warner Bros. was a producing and distributing partner on all those releases.
However, the company hasn't pledged its stake in this larger shared universe. With multiple shows in development for the MonsterVerse, none of them are going to HBO Max, with Apple TV+ and Netflix getting the benefits instead. Warner Bros. Discovery need to turn that around to gain a huge IP in their lineup.
Mortal Kombat
The initial Mortal Kombat outing wasn't a perfect adaptation, but it set the scene for the way in which the franchise could develop. There's so much great storytelling to mine from the video games that future films shouldn't be lacking in inspiration.
A sequel is slowly in development, but the titular tournament could surely benefit from some further skirmishes. The initial release landed well with audiences, so HBO Max could expand the universe with mini movies or TV shows featuring the many fictional realms. Any DC or Injustice links would be a bonus.