The legacy sequel is a very popular way to revive a franchise that may have been silent for decades. It allows creators to comment upon the changing times, examine their old work in a new context, or explore creative takes on existing material. Science fiction franchises often try to predict the future, so the concept may have even more weight in that special genre.
Some attempts to recapture old glory go down in flames, but legacy sequels are having a pretty good few years right now. After the undeniable worldwide success of Top Gun: Maverick, studios are looking through their hits from the 80s and earlier to find what they can turn into the next blockbuster.
Back to the Future
Robert Zemeckis is still out there making weird and interesting stuff, and though he's had mixed results, a return to his beloved sci-fi comedy trilogy would be very exciting. Doc and Marty have traveled to 1955, 2015, 1885, and right back to 1985 across their journeys in the DeLorean. They might have to wait for 2025, but it would be a lot of fun to see a Back to the Future movie begin in our modern era. Perhaps they could take another crack at the distant future, maybe an adult Marty could try out another wonderful era of the past, and maybe characters can meet themselves from other timelines. The possibilities are endless. Especially in the world where Rick and Morty, a show built entirely around a parody of Doc and Marty, is a massive hit. The world is clearly not done with this concept, and it would be great to see Back to the Future come back to us.
Escape from New York
John Carpenter's beloved and bizarre series of action films led by Kurt Russell was meant to be a trilogy. Escape from New York was followed by Escape from L.A. 15 years later, and that film was meant to be followed by a film called Escape from Earth. Carpenter spoke occasionally about the idea, usually with the slightest tone of contempt. It's been 26 years since L.A. and no word of the sequel has come out. The satirical action blockbusters could easily culminate in a thrilling space adventure. Kurt Russell is still headlining major projects, frequently turning in performances that would feel right at home with Snake Plissken's iconic action-comedy gimmick. There's a lot of potential for this satirical sci-fi action series to make a return.
They Live
Speaking of beloved satirical John Carpenter action films, this 1988 classic is crying out for an update. They Live is one of the most incisive sci-fi action movies of its era. Its cultural commentary remains a high watermark in the world of blockbuster cinema. The original film follows a drifter who discovers that the entire world is controlled by a host of aliens hiding in plain sight. Every aspect of human civilization has been colonized by cleverly disguised invaders. As the movie ends, the unnamed drifter succeeds in his quest to break the alien's control over humanity, at the cost of his own life. Mankind can find the aliens among them and start the revolution. As cathartic as that moment is, most things have only gotten worse here in the real world. There's a lot more of modern life to explore through the lens of alien mind control. Perhaps they still walk among us, and perhaps there's a new pair of sunglasses that we all need to try on for a moment.
The Rocketeer
Arguably not a franchise, this 1991 superhero movie predated the genre's complete takeover of the blockbuster scene by almost two decades. The film uses a clever period setting and a ton of fascinating practical effects that really set it apart. A glimpse at The Rocketeer is like a crash course in how superhero cinema has changed over the last 30 years. It's directed by Joe Johnston, who went on to direct the first Captain America film, and his fingerprint is distinct when one watches both films. Tragically, the original film flopped at the box office. Maybe the world wasn't ready for this type of film then, but it certainly would be today.
RoboCop
The fabled RoboCop legacy sequel has been confirmed, rewritten, canceled, and resurrected more times than anyone cares to count. The multiple failed attempts and the terrible 2014 remake don't change the fact that this franchise would be a fantastic fit for the modern day. The original film's commentary on capitalism and crime needs an update. A modern blockbuster about the current state of the police would be welcomed with open arms. RoboCop Returns might already be in production. The third or fourth attempt at a serviceable script may have already been written. It could also still be a fantasy in the mind of fans. Whatever state the movie is in, a new RoboCop would probably be the ideal sci-fi legacy sequel for the modern era.