Why Lionsgate is Banking on the Longevity of the John Wick Franchise

Lionsgate Isn’t Letting the John Wick Franchise Die: A Sign of Longevity in the Era of Franchise Banking

Franchise Banking: How it Affects the Film Industry

The era of franchise banking has changed the way Hollywood movies are planned and made. It is an approach in which filmmakers and studios invest heavily in established intellectual properties and properties with the potential to be monetized. This approach involves creating movies with sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and adaptations that can be relied upon to bring in a steady stream of revenue. In recent years, franchise banking has become more common due to the success of franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.

The John Wick Franchise: A Success Story

The John Wick franchise is another success story of this approach. The franchise has grown from a simple story of an assassin seeking revenge for his dog to a complex and intriguing world filled with ballerina assassins, a mysterious hotel, and a sophisticated global spy network.

The franchise‘s success is attributed to embracing the entrepreneurial aspects of franchise banking. The franchise‘s fifth installment and multiple spinoffs are being developed, adding to the franchise‘s longevity. This indicates that the studio, Lionsgate, is thinking far ahead in terms of profitability and audience engagement.

Philosophical Discussion

The John Wick franchise‘s longevity raises an age-old philosophical question: can money buy happiness and success? In the case of Hollywood, the answer appears to be indeed, it can. Success, more time to develop nuances in storytelling and character arcs, and engaging viewers from multiple angles can all come from investing in already established IP.

However, this method also has its unique risks. Monetizing an existing franchise may lead to the creative vision being lost. In some cases, subsequent sequels or spin-offs might be seen as a cash grab by audiences.

Editorial and Advice

Despite some of the risks associated with putting all your eggs in one basket, franchise banking is becoming the norm. Lionsgate’s decision to expand the John Wick franchise shows that studios will rely on the established IP as long as they know they will generate profits. Now more than ever, there is a need for creativity and ingenuity in the industry. This is where a balance is necessary- creating new IP while still investing in old ones. It is our hope that Hollywood’s success will not just be measured in profits generated from established intellectual properties but the creativity introduced in new stories.