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Thursday
21Aug2008

Paramount To Unload a Glut of Direct-To-DVD Sequels on Unsuspecting Consumers

DateThursday, August 21, 2008 at 7:16PM
What's that old saying about success? Something like you can't argue with it, I think. Or maybe you were heading for the one about it being the best deodorant. Either way, when you look at the bottom line for direct-to-video sequels for American Pie and Bring It On, you'll see that they've generated, oh, just under a quarter-billion dollars between them. I shudder to think how much profit we're talking about.

So, remember as you roll your eyes in disbelief that the man who minted that money at Universal now has designs on Road Trip, Grease, Mean Girls, Naked Gun, and more. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Louis Feola, who has assumed control of the division of Paramount to be known as Paramount Famous Productions, wants to release five to six movies a year, all of them direct-to-video spin-offs of previously successful theatrical film.

There's no escaping it: Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling is coming your way in 2009. Because Paramount can choose titles from the vast Viacom empire, that means some DreamWorks flicks, as well as MTV and Nickelodeon movies.

"The name Paramount Famous Prods. speaks to the studio's rich history and reputation for delivering world-class, memorable entertainment to diverse audiences," said Feola, perhaps unaware that nobody in their right mind could consider a sequel to Without a Paddle "world-class."

We just got a Scorpion King DVD sequel this week from Universal, and you should expect more from every studio on the block as home video increasingly becomes a bigger piece of Hollywood's profits. I mean, why wouldn't they do it?

Still, another sequel to Grease? As if everybody didn't already learn that lesson? And The Naked Gun? Color me skeptical.

Should we be outraged? Probably not. If the studios ever want me to watch one of these truck stop-quality movies, then can send it to me and I'll watch it. But if not, I just won't consider them sequels at all. In fact, I probably won't even consider them. I will say, however, that I can't wait for Paramount to dig into its vaults and give us the knock-off newbies for the rest of their 2004 slate, joining Without a Paddle. That would mean long-awaited continuations of Suspect Zero, Against the Ropes, The Perfect Score, Twisted, Homeland Security, and The Prince & Me.

Good luck with that.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment7 Comments |

Reader Comments (7)

HaHa. This is a great article Colin. However, there's no denying these movies make cash and we'll probably never see the end of straight to DVD, especially after the success of the American Pie and Bring It On Flicks.

If Paramount Famous does indeed have access to all things Paramount and MTV, then you're missing one key 2004 title. I'd wager it's only a matter of time, and some legal maneuvering with Fox, before we see Napoleon Dynamite: The Rise of Pedro on our home screens.....

Thursday, August 21, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJoe Russo

Can I haz firefly-serenity Direct to DVD sequel plz, k thx.
Course knowing my luck they wouldn't get Joss or the original cast and slaughter it.

Friday, August 22, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterOrinn

Does this mean that Brett Ratner's Beverly Hills Cop Movie will also be direct to DVD?

(Disney's been getting away with this for years, by the way...)

Friday, August 22, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLost Wilson

I don't know if the Firefly folks will ever be back...

But have you caught this Joss Whedon Gem?

Dr. Horrible With Neal Patrick Harris

Friday, August 22, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMjr. Browncoat

Yeah, Disney's mastered it, and in fact, a couple of those flicks have been OK. Cinderella 2.75 or whatever the hell it was had a pretty decent set-up. I seem to recall the second Lilo & Stitch not sucking.

Friday, August 22, 2008 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

Thank you for the advance investment tip: I can now cancel my HBO subscription with a clear conscience, since all the trash that you've identified will certainly be corrupting my cable service for at least another year.

Thank goodness for NetFlix, where discretion is still possible.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterjackson coleman

Yeah, when they're (NetFlix I mean) service isn't interrupted!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterLost Wilson

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