Anyone following summer motion picture releases will note the seasonal prevalence of big budget sequels to successful films. In some instances, sequels are derived solely from the scripts of previously produced motion pictures (e.g., “Terminator,” “Night at the Museum”). In other instances, they connect with books or book series that were made into one or more prior films (e.g., “Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince,” “Angels & Demons”). Mindful of the vast rewards that can flow from these so-called “franchises” (e.g., the James Bond franchise), Hollywood studios structure their agreements with book authors to maximize their chances of creating one.
The Studio Sequel
