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Franchise Fever: Your Complete Guide To The Sequels, Reboots And Franchise Hopefuls Of 2015

They say originality is dead, and yet Hollywood studios continually find new ways to cash in on old stock. While critics bemoan the constant re-treading of old ground, the trend toward the sequel and the reboot is borne of caution on the part of both the studio and the audience. In these uncertain financial times, both the studio and the audience prefer to spend money on known quantities – the result of which is a release slate crammed with familiar titles.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Legend (August 28th)

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A sequel to the Academy Award winning film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, this instalment is directed by Woo-ping Yuen, who was the stunt coordinator for Kill Bill: Vol 2.

John Fusco’s adaptation of the Du Lu Wang book presents a story of love, action and redemption, and stars Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh and Jason Scott Lee. It is also notable for being scheduled for release in theatres and on Netflix on the same day.

Maze Runner: Scorch Trials (September 18th)

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After the success of 2014’s Maze Runner, director Wes Ball returns with the next instalment, which sees the Gladers outside of The Maze, dealing with a world bombarded by solar flares and decimated by disease. Not a comedy, evidently.

Hotel Transylvania 2 (September 25th)

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While the first film established the premise of Dracula having opened a luxury resort for monsters, this second instalment is co-written by star Adam Sandler and Robert Smigel, with the director Genndy Tartakovsky returning. This story features a clash of generations within the resort, and boasts the voices of Sandler, Selena Gomez, Steve Buscemi, Andy Samberg and Mel Brooks, among others.

London Has Fallen (October 2nd)

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Olympus Has Fallen featured Gerard Butler as a troubled Secret Service guy who, of course, turns out to be the only man that can save the President of the United States (Aaron Eckhart) when the White House is attacked by terrorists. Inevitably a financial success, writers Creighton Rothernberger and Katrin Benedikt have worked with fellow scribe Christian Gudegast to create this sequel. Attending the funeral of the U.K’s Prime Minister, Gerard Butler’s troubled guy must once again save the day when he uncovers a dastardly plot to assassinate every world leader in attendance.

Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (October 23rd)

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As the directorial debut of Gregory Plotkin, this is the sixth instalment in the Paranormal Activity franchise. Featuring Katie Featherston – the only performer to appear in each of the movies – the story will focus on the paranormal activities that occur in the Palo Alto home of a young family.

Spectre (November 6th)

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Also known as Bond 24, this latest franchise instalment sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as the famous British spy, under the direction of Sam Mendes (Skyfall). The wider cast includes Dave Bautista, Ralph Fiennes, Monica Bellucci, Christoph Waltz, Naomie Harris, Ben Wishaw and Rory Kinnear, and the plot will involve conspiracy, cryptic messages and lots of action. It’s a pretty safe bet to say there will also be some gadgets and flirtation in the mix, too.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (November 20th)

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The end is nigh, as director Francis Lawrence ushers the final instalment in the phenomenally successful Hunger Games franchise into cinemas. Fans are promised an all-out revolution, as megastar Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss Everdeen, supported by Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson.

Alvin And The Chipmunks: Road Chip (December 23rd)

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You might well ask, “Why?” – and you would be right to do so. This fourth instalment in the Alvin And The Chipmunks franchise shows the series continues to resist collapsing under the stench of the dead horse it’s flogging.

Resident Evil 6 (Release TBA)

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The final instalment of this successful female-led franchise sees series regulars Milla Jovovich, Sienna Guillory and Wentworth Miller head back into the fray with writer-director Paul W.S Anderson. Billed as ‘the beginning of the end,’ it sees our heroes face off against The Red Queen in order to prevent the complete destruction of humanity.