Very few movie franchises are perfect. I would even go as far to say that I would struggle to name a film series that doesn't have at least one dud amongst its collection. Some go off track very quickly (such as The Matrix) while others experience a more gradual drop in their quality as the years go by (the Shrek series probably being the best example of this). In some cases, there are some franchises that were never that good to begin with (cough cough Twilight). In other words, sometimes it's best to take once beloved franchises out the back and put them out of their misery... But fear not humble citizen, for the world isn't all doom and gloom. Sometimes all it takes is one good casting decision to save a popular series. So, without further ado, here is my Top 5 list featuring actors who could save failing film franchises and how they could do so.
5) John Goodman- X-Men
The X-Men franchise is one of the most consistent and respected series' that the superhero genre has to offer, however there is no denying that interest in the mutants has started to fade away in recent years. While the franchise was rejuvenated with the release of "First Class", ever since then the quality of the storytelling has started to slip, with the newest instalment in the saga especially failing to live up to expectations. Many factors have contributed to this dip in form, but the biggest problem for me has been Brian Singer and company's failure to field a compelling villain in the last few years. What the X-Men franchise needs is a fresh, human villain who can test the team in ways they haven't been challenged up until this point. My pick for this role would be John Goodman. Goodman would star as The Supreme Pontiff, the leader of the anti-mutant religious fanatics The Church of Humanity. Goodman is one of the greatest character actors alive today, and also one of the most nuanced. The Supreme Pontiff is effectively a cult leader, a character that will be required to be both charismatic and terrifying. Goodman could do this in his sleep. In the comics, The Church of Humanity nailed mutants to crosses and burned them outside Xavier's Mansion. If we could bring this grotesque imagery to the big-screen we could have ourselves the most brutal and gritty X-Men film we have ever seen. Nightcrawler of course would be central to this arc, with the story being his anguish at having to choose between his faith and his friends. My idea would involve The Pontiff taking advantage of Nightcrawler's vulnerability and convincing him to aid The Church in their crusade of terror against his own kind. Goodman is the only actor who can handle a role this dark, as well as being the most qualified for the part. The X-Men need a good villain to make them relevant again, and I firmly believe that John Goodman is the man who can make their problems disappear.
4) Tom Hardy- Alien
The first two entries into the Alien series produced one of the greatest horrors and one of the greatest action movies of all-time respectively, however since then every instalment has either been disappointing at best and woefully bad at worst. Yet it is a franchise that still has potential, and the news that Ridley Scott and Sigourney Weaver will both be returning for the next instalment in the series may be enough to turn the space saga's fortunes around. In saying this, the key to making a strong Alien movie lies in its supporting cast, and that is where Tom Hardy comes in. Hardy could star as Ridley's second-in-command, and the light-hearted charm he showed in films like Inception would be welcome in a franchise not best known for its levity. At his best Tom Hardy can light up a screen, and I think he'd be the perfect balance to Weaver's stoic Ripley in a similar way to what Bill Paxton was in James Cameron's Aliens. Hardy would not be there to outshine Ripley, but to majorly complement one of the most iconic characters in film history. Supporting roles are the lifeblood of classic movies, and Tom Hardy has earned himself a reputation as a man who shines in supporting parts. His Oscar nomination for his performance in The Revenant speaks for itself. Throw in the fact that Hardy is one of the best box-office draws of recent years as well as being a legitimate action star and you've got yourself a match made in movie heaven.
3) Helen Mirren- Terminator
Just hear me out. I swear I'm not crazy. While I know that Dame Helen Mirren is no spring chicken at this point, I can't help but feel she is in a unique position for an actress her age where she could still carry a franchise. My vision would be that she would play a much older Sarah Connor who serves as the leader of the Resistance in the timeline started by the events of the terribly bad Terminator Genisys. The story is simple: Sarah Connor, after years of hopelessly fighting the machines, goes on a suicide mission with some of her most trusted companions to try and take down Skynet once and for all, all the while seeking redemption for the wrong-decisions and sins of her past. Mirren has more than enough charisma to pull off this role, and we can see from her performances in both Red and Eye in the Sky she there is a certain grit and toughness that she can bring to the table when required, as well as being a lady of great poise and sophistication. She is still fit enough to pull off some action work, and the subtle way she emotes is better than most that have ever come before her. The only way to make the Terminator series feel fresh again is to tell a story we haven't yet seen, and I believe the tale of an older Sarah Connor would play out beautifully on the big screen. Just keep Arnold far away.
2) Sean Connery- James Bond
If any film franchise could convince Sean Connery to come out of retirement, it's James Bond. Connery is the most iconic 007 of all time and his inclusion in the next instalment of the saga would create serious intrigue, especially after the lacklustre offering that was 2015's Spectre. The screen legend's role in the story would be speculated right up until the film's release and would be a major selling point in the film's advertising. Will the Scot going to become a mentor of sorts to the new Bond? Is he going to feature in some kind of flashback/flash-forward sequence as a past/future 007? Limited use of Connery in the trailers would only add fuel to this fire, and more and more fan-theories would be made about how Connery would feature in this new flick. In the end, I think that fans would be extremely shocked by the outcome, as I'd have Connery play the villain of the story. The script writes itself: Bond (most likely Tom Hiddleston) is sent after an ex-secret service agent gone rouge (Connery), who's plan is effectively to cause as much damage to major secret-service agencies around the world as he can through acts of terrorism and violence. The story is simple, but therein lies its effectiveness. This is Bond effectively confronting himself, facing off against a man who he could very well become if his life was to ever spin off-track. Connery, for his part, would play a man who has given everything for his country but has been left with very little in return, creating a sympathetic albeit irredeemable antagonist. All-in-all, Connery's character would serve as the toughest mission that the gentlemen-spy has ever faced, as well as creating a very personal and introspective conflict for this film to feed off of. Villains are best when they force our hero to stare into a mirror and see themselves, and that's exactly the effect the legendary Scot would bring to the freshman year outing of our new James Bond.
1) Dwayne Johnston- Transformers
Transformers is perhaps one of the most poisonous franchises in movie history. 2007's initial offering was decent, but the Michael Bay series only went downhill from there. Not even the inclusion of the usually stellar Mark Wahlberg could prevent the latest instalment from becoming one of the worst films I have ever seen. Ever. There is only one man who can save Transformers from extinction: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnston. After all, if there is anyone on this planet who knows how to save a dying property, it is "The Great One". GI Joe, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Fast and Furious are only examples of a few franchises that have benefitted and thrived from Johnston's involvement. Hell, Journey to the Centre of the Earth 2 earned almost 100 million dollars more than the original. Why is that? I'll tell you why, because the filmmakers took Brendan "Famous in the 90's" Fraser's name off the posters and replaced it with "The Brahma Bull's". Dwayne Johnston is the definitive action star of this decade, and his universal likability is more than enough of a draw on its own to get buts in seats. "But Transformers is beyond saving" I hear you cry? This is untrue. Transformer's is at its best when it focuses more on the action and less on its mythology. You're never going to make Transformers an Oscar winner, let's call a spade a spade. But what you can do is make it a fun summer blockbuster that is inoffensive and action-heavy.
My plan would be as follows: 1) Fire Michael Bay and bring in an up-and-coming commodity to direct. 2) Bring back franchise veterans Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson, focusing more on the military side of things. 3) Ditch any and all love stories involving uncharismatic teens. 4) Put Dwayne Johnston front and centre.
What the Transformers franchise should be in a fun time at the theatres, not a mind-numbing movie with a nonsensical story. Dwayne Johnston has proven countless times that he has the ability to not only improve a series but take it in all-new directions, and this is precisely what Transformers needs to do if it is to survive.
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