The biggest sci-fi releases set for release in 2022 are all sequels, contributing to a snowballing problem for the genre in today’s cinematic landscape. The upcoming slate includes massive box office hits such as the ever-dependable Marvel franchise, the long-awaited Avatar 2 and Jurassic World: Dominion. Sci-fi has become the new frontier of the box-office draw, from the superhero genre pushing the boundaries of human potential, to the established juggernauts of Jurassic World and Star Wars setting up their own audience monopolies in comfortable corners of the box office rankings, with Star Wars prepped to release six new movies in its next phase of expansion. But 2022's slate of sci-fi sequels hints at problems on the horizon.
The coronavirus pandemic also has served to exacerbate the problem, with Covid-19 truncating the typical summer movie slate and the U.S. box office down 60% from 2019 (via The Guardian.) Audiences are less willing to risk their health and their money on an original cinematic release which might disappoint them, and will probably also be available to stream for free in a matter of days from any one of the available platforms. In a difficult and stressful time, nostalgia and the sure thing of known franchises have ruled the day.
However, the sci-fi genre is facing a critical point in 2022 where it is cannibalizing its existing properties to the encroaching detriment of its ability to innovate as a storytelling vehicle. The box office draw of major established franchises is indisputable, but sci-fi is a genre which thrives on original ideas. Audiences enjoy having their minds blown at the movies, whether by believing a man can fly in Superman, or watching in awe as dinosaurs take the stage in Jurassic Park. Sci-fi is about stretching the bounds of the imagination, taking viewers to fantastical worlds and witnessing futuristic technology and civilizations. Unfortunately, the upcoming sci-fi movies of 2022 herald a display of sequels when the genre should be expanding and innovating if it is to keep the wheel of audience interest spinning. Risks including James Cameron’s original Avatar, Spielberg’s Jurassic Park and George Lucas’ Star Wars were seminal films which evoked awe and joy from its viewers. Now, the franchise machine is throwing out the same stories in slightly different clothes, with the consequence that audiences are feeling less inspired and increasingly bored.
As the most successful brand, the Marvel machine has faced particularly heated criticism from notable directors such as Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg in recent years, with creative executives across the industry voicing worry over the potential death of original cinema. The sci-fi genre is suffering under the weight of its own successful franchises, leaving it no room to breathe fresh ideas into its film offerings. Marvel movies first faced criticism from Martin Scorsese in 2019 for creating a “chicken-and-egg" scenario, in which he stated: “If people are given only one kind of thing and endlessly sold only one kind of thing, of course they’re going to want more of that one kind of thing.” (via Vox.)
Still, while they're the lightning rod, it's not just Marvel at fault here. The biggest sci-fi movies in recent years have all been uninspired legacy sequel retreads, from the Star Wars sequel trilogy to the Jurassic World movies. 2022's sci-fi movies only move further away from originality. Franchises are definitely a safer box office draw than original concept films, but viewers are starting to become fatigued. It’s notable that Spielberg predicted back in 2013 that the increasing pile-up of sequels would result in an inevitable implosion within the industry (via Variety). The sci-fi genre has become a victim of its own success. Where it used to push the accepted construct of what was normal and possible in new and fascinating ways, it has since leaned on its own proven formulae and has come to rest on its laurels. It is a tragic symptom of the dying cinematic landscape that the most innovative genre is on a crash course with mediocrity and 2022's sci-fi movies will only help hasten that downfall. Time will only tell how much can be salvaged from the wreckage.