7 Movies you’ll be shocked to know were originally supposed to be a sequel to other movie

One of the main reasons behind making a sequel movie is the brand value. Well, you know how it is, it’s safer for the makers, because they don’t have to start from the scratch, and more over viewers are already familiar with the theme of the story.

Hollywood thrives on imagining and re-imagining ideas, which sometimes lead to some of the wildest mashups on the big screen ever. It’s place where nothing is ever truly new, but somehow familiar ingredients combine to create shockingly original crossovers. Makers make sequels not just because they solely believe in that concept but may be they did good business with the movie so they decided to make sequel as well.

You will find many sequel movies that quietly disguise itself and distance itself from the original inspiration. There are certain film makers who deliberately sidestep the sequel label, and prefer to quietly drop follow-ups with no marketing hint at their connection to the original movie. Maybe they initially thought that they were going to make it as a sequel, but eventually they came up with a standalone story.

In this article we will discover such 7 movies that you will be shock to know were originally supposed to be a sequel to another movie.

7 movies that were supposed to be a sequel to another movie

The Hateful Eight

The gritty thriller film is directed by Quentin Tarantino who initially had plan to make a sequel of Django Unchained. But ultimately he gifted us the brand new film with a new story covered in snow and of course with new cast of itchy fingered strangers. As the snowy journey unfolded, the plot quietly re-invented itself.

Tarantino’s fingerprints are all over The Hateful Eight, as it is filled with tension, verbal duels and a pacing style that erupts in blood soaked brilliance. The film unfolds shortly after the civil war, set in the wintery wilderness, where a bounty hunter transporting his prisoners is forced to ride out a blizzard in a remote shack as a deadly storm rages outside.

The film starts with casual conversations and suddenly takes a dark turn and evolves into a high stake mystery about who’s not being honest, who’s covering something up, and who’s one twitch away from violence. Small talk turns sour fast, making the plot a tense psychological standoff between the characters. You might be shocked after knowing that it was supposed to be a sequel, but this film proved that great storyline can thrive when the convention is left behind.

Solace

Afonso Poyart’s Solace is wrapped in mystery and suspense. The film explores weighty questions of right and wrong and destiny all cloaked in suspenseful thriller that keeps the twists coming until the last shot. But you know this film was supposed to be a sequel of Se7en, yeah you got it right! Just think Morgan Freeman paired with a psychic partner cracking the case, before the plot twisted away from that setup. Solace eventually became a standalone movie.

In this stylish psychological suspense film, Anthony Hopkins plays an ex-psychic doctor, who’s persuaded to join forces with the FBI to stop a deadly killer. The killer’s role is portrayed by Colin Farrell, and here is the twist: the killer is no ordinary villain and he matches the psychic's ability. The killer literally flips the investigation into a psychological chess match.

More than just another thriller movie, Solace explores the reason behind human behaviour and asks if justice is always so clear cut, questioning not just who committed the crime but why they did what they did.

Nighthawks

This movie directed by Bruce Malmuth was going to be directed by Gary Nelson who because of some production issue didn’t direct the film. Additionally, this film was supposed to be a sequel of French Connection. Yes, the legendary Popeye Doyle was meant to make a return to the screen. But eventually everything changed and it evolved into a standalone feature with Sylvester Stallone taking the lead.

The path to the screen for this movie was quite hard, but ultimately it shaped into a gritty, shard edge action thriller with dark tones and nail biting standoffs. Amid the backdrop of early 80’s New York, merging detective drama with worldwide threat, the film follows Dasilva and his partner as they are drawn into a high stakes chase against a dangerous terrorist. In his Hollywood debut, Rugter Hauer delivers an icy unnerving performance as the terrorist and Stallone takes on the role of Deke Dasilva, a hardened NYC detective assigned to bring down the global terrorist.

Colombiana

This movie was initially planned as the sequel of Leon: The Professional. Before it became a standalone, Luc Besson pictured this action heavy flick as a sequel centered on Mathilda’s life. What began as a continuation was reshaped by casting delays into an original film, featuring a tough, electrifying lead who made the story her own.

The story of the film was written by the producer himself, Luc Besson, and directed by Olivier Megaton. Colombiana Showcased Zoe Saldana as Cataleya, a fierce assassin on a relentless mission of revenge and retribution. The story follows Cataleya who used to live in Colombia when her parents were killed by a drug lord, and after fifteen years she sets off to take her revenge.

Haunted by the brutal slaying of her parents, she was raised by her mobster uncle and trained to become a polished and precise killer. Though the film got mix reviews from critics but Saldana’s performance was praised. Thanks to well-crafted fight scenes, a touching personal history, and a heroine not to be trifled with, the film delivered a vengeance story full of flair, fire and power.

Minority Report

Tom Cruise’s character in Minority Report doesn’t just chase criminals, he chases them before they commit the crime. This mind-bending sci-fi thriller was originally supposed to be a sequel to Total Recall, another futuristic rollercoaster from the world of Philip K. Dick. But over time, creative changes and shifting studios turned it into a slick, standalone movie with a plot all its own, and a whole lot of high-tech drama.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Minority Report throws us into the year 2054, where crime has been nearly wiped out thanks to “Precrime,” a futuristic law enforcement unit that arrests people before they actually break the law. Cruise plays Chief John Anderton, a true believer in the system, until he’s suddenly predicted to commit a murder himself. Cue the running, the thinking, and the very stylish futuristic eyewear.

As Anderton scrambles to clear his name, the movie dives into themes of free will, fate, and how much trust we should really put in technology. With thrilling action, emotional weight, and that Spielberg shine, Minority Report has cemented itself as a classic among futuristic thriller movie. So while it never became Total Recall 2, this film proves that sometimes the best movies are born when original plans go sideways.

Die Hard

You’ll be shocked to know that Die Hard, yes the ultimate action-packed holiday classic, was originally supposed to be a sequel to Commando. That’s right, Arnold Schwarzenegger was meant to return for another explosive round, but when he passed, the script got reworked, reloaded, and handed over to Bruce Willis, turning the movie into its own legendary standalone movie.

Directed by John McTiernan, Die Hard introduced us to John McClane, the wisecracking NYPD cop with a knack for being in the wrong place at the exact right time. With wry humor, a tank top, and bare feet, McClane finds himself up against a group of slick terrorists who crash a holiday party at Nakatomi Plaza.

Their mistake? Not realizing McClane was hiding in the building, and he’s not the type to wait around for backup. As the bullets fly and glass shatters, McClane dishes out sarcastic one-liners and classic action hero moves, all while trying to rescue his wife and survive the night. The film’s perfect blend of heart, humor, and havoc made it an instant hit, and a blueprint for countless action movies to follow.

E.T the Extra-Terrestrial

This delightful narrative contributed to Spielberg’s expanding creative world, once considered as a spiritual sequel to his earlier film ideas. Steven Spielberg’s earlier alien movie nearly had a darker follow-up called Night Skies, but along the way, the concept softened, the script evolved, and what we got instead was one of the most heart-warming movies of all time.

Directed by Spielberg, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial tells the enchanting story of a gentle alien who accidentally gets left behind on Earth. Instead of global panic and chaos, what unfolds is a beautiful friendship between the lost creature and a lonely boy named Elliott. While government agents hunt for E.T., Elliott and his siblings work to keep their squishy, glowing-fingered friend hidden and safe, eventually trying to help him “phone home.”

The film is packed with childlike wonder, unforgettable moments, and that magical Spielberg touch that tugs at your heart without trying too hard. It became a cultural phenomenon, redefining alien movies and proving that sometimes the best sci-fi stories are also the most human. So while it never continued the Close Encounters saga, E.T. landed as a timeless standalone movie that made everyone believe in friendship, family, and the occasional Reese’s Pieces trail.