Best Man

Short Answer: Couples-therapy retreat

The problem with writing any such blog today is that, while I was busy suggesting the next installment for several of these franchises... the next installment of the franchise was released!

Such is the case here. The first movie came out in 1999. A Christmas-themed sequel came out in 2013, showing that the story had long-time fans. And a 10-part miniseries was released in 2022. Since it was subtitled "The Final Chapters," it would seem that the franchise is all tied up, with nothing more to say.

Now, when I started writing these, the show had not yet been announced-- so I came up with an idea for part 3. Since it's my blog, I might as well share it.

The first movie takes place at a wedding weekend. The second takes place at Christmas. I thought it would be fun to have the third and final episode at the opposite of snowy Vermont-- at a retreat that everyone thinks is going to be fun-in-the-sun! 

But when they get there, they find it is actually a couples therapy retreat! We can have some of the therapists be cameos like Keegan Michael Key and Tiffany Haddish. 

At first they are of course mad at the friend who planned it, for duping them. But then they say, "Well, as long as we are stuck here, I do have some things to say to some people, and some things to get off my chest." 

And then over the course of several therapy sessions-- between couples, pairs of friends, pairs of exes, and the whole group-- everyone finally sees everyone else's side to all that has happened. Some people admit ignorance, some admit fault, and fences and friendships are mended. Some couples part but with understanding and respect, and some old flames are rekindled.

All of this is set in a gorgeous tropical paradise. Between sessions, there are more sweet and funny conversations. 

Also some slapstick moments, as the cast tries various watery sports like surfing, windsurfing, paddle-boarding, parasailing, water skiing, and wakeboarding (which someone keeps calling "waterboarding"). 

At one point someone is covered in suntan lotion, then covered in sand that sticks to the lotion. At first they are horrified. Then after they wash it all off, they say: "My skin is so smooth and exfoliated! I just discovered the ultimate skin treatment!" In a post-credit scene, we see them presenting the product based on the idea on "Shark Tank."

Anyway, that would have been how I wrapped up the series. But if someone just wants to make this as a stand-alone movie with an all-star cast, I will not complain.

 

Riddick

Short Answer: What was his crime?

For all of Riddick's amazing survival skills. we never really learn why he was on the prison ship in the first movie. 

Most fugitives, like the one in The Fugitive, try to clear their name so they can stop running. Riddick, for all his insane survival skills, never really seems interested in... doing that.

So did he really commit his crime? Have we really been cheering for a criminal this whole time? Maybe in Part 4, we get to see what happened to land him in jail to begin with, and we see him confront his accuser and clear him name.

Alex Cross

Short Answer: recast Alex; next books in the series; maybe shift to TV

So far, there have only been three movies in the Alex Cross series. After Morgan Freeman decided not to come back for the third, Tyler Perry took over the title role and... did not get to have a second movie, himself.

But the books are still good, and still worth turning into movies, and there are still more of them. So many more. More than 30 in the series!

While it may be a bit cliche at this point in movie history, it may be time to say "Alex" is short for Alexa, Alexis, Alexandra, Alexandria... you know, make Alex a woman. 

And then, there are the many more Alex Cross books Patterson wrote, including 8 more that have nursery rhyme-based titles, early in the series.

Sure, you could keep going with theatrically released movies. or you could shift to streaming. Yes, and still continue with 90-120 minute features, or just tighten each case to a 1-hour TV movie, or have a series of "limited series," each with three or four episodes. And market them as "Alex Cross Mysteries."

If you did that, you might be able to work in plot elements from more than one mystery in a given miniseries.

How to choose which books? You can look at the book sales to see which are the most popular, or ask the fans which ones they want to see as movies the most, or see which are the most "cinematic." (Or see which were actually written by James Patterson and not a ghostwriter). 

In any case, I sometimes make the argument that it's OK if there is no more to say about a given character or plotline. But if people are still following Alex Cross for thirty books? Get a clue. 

Highlander

Short Answer: Ramirez spin-off

One of the highlights of the original Highlander movie was the flamboyant Ramirez. His story has been told piecemeal throughout the franchise, but it would be fun to see his story told all the way through, in a series of films. It would be great to see some of his own escapades, before his association with MacCleod, especially ones that were only alluded to in the other movies and shows.

The colorful and Zorro-like Ramirez stands in fun contrast with the stoic Highlander and similar characters like The Witcher. 

Now that the concept of a "multiverse" is common, we could even use footage from the earlier films, shows, even animations. It may hard to assemble all this given various ownership rights, but done right, The Ramirez Chronicles (or whatever we call it) could be a groundbreaking franchise for its patchwork storytelling technique.

Also, the origins of The Quickening, and the first generation of Immortals, would be something to see.