List of films split into multiple parts explained

Over the history of cinema, some films have been split into multiple parts. This has been done for creative, practical, and financial reasons. Originally done in the form of low-budget serial films, more recently it has often been done with big-budget feature films.

History

Early examples were serials, which were produced in chapters of 10–30 minutes each, and presented in theaters one each week as a prelude to feature films on the same ticket. With each episode typically ending in a cliffhanger, they encouraged regular attendance at the cinema, and the short running length kept down the cost of each installment, and the number of reels needed to show them.

Later feature films would be produced with a similar strategy in mind, deliberately setting up plot developments to be developed in subsequent features. When the initial film has been highly successful, additional installments may be produced concurrently, taking advantage of economies of scale and the availability of actors and directors to facilitate production. (e.g. The Matrix, Back to the Future)

A common reason for splitting a film has been to accommodate an extended running time; many people would find it uncomfortable to sit for a single three- or four-hour presentation. Some films have addressed this by adopting a practice typical in stage theater: having an intermission at the approximate midpoint of the film, during which members of the audience can stand and walk around, use the restroom if needed, or get a snack or refill their beverage at the concession stand. (e.g. Gandhi, Gods and Generals) Other directors have instead split the film into separate releases. (e.g. Kill Bill)

In the 21st century, it became increasingly common for big-budget films – usually those based on novels which might otherwise have to be substantially condensed, but especially the last in a series – to be released as multiple features. The film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was one of the first to do so with the final book in a series, a pattern followed by the Twilight, The Hunger Games, and Divergent series. Peter Jackson's film adaptation of The Hobbit – a final follow-up to his The Lord of the Rings series – was released as three separate features.[1]

Criticism

In many cases, the process of splitting films has been criticized, citing financial motivations in turning successful books into longer film series.[1] The Australian Broadcasting Corporation called it "a recent Hollywood trend of splitting a single book into multiple movies to maximise box office returns from blockbuster franchises".[2] The Hobbit proved particularly controversial because the running time was the result of adding material that was not part of the original book.[3] Studios have countered that one reason for splitting novels from series like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games into multiple films is to appease fans who do not want the film series to end.[4]

Notable examples

Canceled sequels

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Satran. Joe. 'The Hobbit' Movies To Be Split Into 3, Echoing 'Harry Potter'. Huffington Post. 4 January 2013. 1 August 2012. 8 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121108075215/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/01/the-hobbit-movies-3_n_1730218.html. live.
  2. News: Jackson to split Hobbit into three movies. 4 January 2013. ABC (Australia). 31 July 2012. 13 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130113142826/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-31/jackson-to-split-hobbit-into-three-movies/4165398. live.
  3. News: Peter Jackson's The Hobbit to be extended to three films. 4 January 2013. The Guardian. 30 July 2012. 4 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131204071826/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/jul/30/peter-jackson-hobbit-three-films. live.
  4. Web site: O'Rourke. Jill. 10 August 2012. Why Popular Movie Adaptations are Being Split into Parts. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203210039/http://pinkandblack-magazine.com/2012/08/10/why-popular-movie-adaptations-are-being-split-into-parts/. 3 December 2013. 4 January 2013. Pink & Black.
  5. Web site: Little Dorrit . 16 December 1988 . 27 May 2013 . Roger . Ebert . Roger Ebert . RogerEbert.com . 6 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131206034103/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/little-dorrit-1988 . live .
  6. News: Baliga. Shashi. 16 June 2012. Showcase: Blood-soaked epic. en-IN. The Hindu. 4 November 2021. 0971-751X. 4 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211104075704/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/showcase-bloodsoaked-epic/article3527267.ece. live.
  7. Web site: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 Blu-ray Review. Joey Esposito. 5 February 2013. IGN. 9 December 2014. 26 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150126061130/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/02/05/batman-the-dark-knight-returns-part-2-blu-ray-review. live.
  8. Web site: Goldberg. Matt. Lionsgate to Break THE HUNGER GAMES Books into Four Movies. Collider. 4 January 2013. 1 June 2011. 31 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121031175106/http://collider.com/hunger-games-four-movies/94034. live.
  9. Web site: Haikara-san ga Tōru Anime Films' Debut Dates, Titles, Staff Revealed. Pineda. Rafael. 22 March 2017. Anime News Network. 22 March 2017. 24 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170324142624/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-03-22/haikara-san-ga-toru-anime-films-debut-dates-titles-staff-revealed/.113777. live.
  10. Web site: Code Geass Compilation Film Trilogy Reveals Visual, Teaser Video, Dates. Pineda. Rafael Antonio. 8 July 2017. Anime News Network. 8 July 2017. 30 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730221823/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-07-28/code-geass-compilation-film-trilogy-reveals-visual-teaser-video-dates/.119436. live.
  11. Web site: BLOOD-C New Live-Action film BLOOD-CLUB DOLLS 1 Trailer Posted for October 13 Release. Komatsu. Mikakatsu. 30 August 2018. Crunchyroll. 30 August 2018. 30 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180830123315/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2018/08/30/blood-c-new-live-action-film-blood-club-dolls-1-trailer-posted-for-october-13-release. live.
  12. Web site: 4 October 2018 . NTR in two parts: Kathanayakudu and Mahanayakudu . 21 March 2022 . . en . 26 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230526142120/https://archive.telugucinema.com/news/ntr-two-parts-kathanayakudu-and-mahanayakudu . live .
  13. Web site: 1st Sailor Moon Eternal Film Delayed to January 8 With 2nd Film Scheduled for February 11. Hodgkins. Crystalyn. 18 June 2020. Anime News Network. 18 June 2020. 20 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200620014332/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-06-18/1st-sailor-moon-eternal-film-delayed-to-january-8-with-2nd-film-scheduled-for-february-11/.160770. live.
  14. Web site: Sailor Moon Manga's Final Arc Gets 2 Sailor Moon Cosmos Films in Early Summer 2023. Mateo. Alex. 28 April 2022. Anime News Network. 28 April 2022. 28 April 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220428140602/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-04-28/sailor-moon-manga-final-arc-gets-2-sailor-moon-cosmos-films-in-early-summer-2023/.185105. live.
  15. Web site: 'Dune: Part 2' Officially Greenlit, Release Date Set for 2023. Lang. Brent. Schafer. Ellise. 26 October 2021. Variety. 26 October 2021. 26 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026182115/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/dune-part-2-sequel-1235094974/. live.
  16. Web site: 15 April 2020 . Ponniyin Selvan will be made in two parts, confirms Mani Ratnam . 7 January 2024 . . en . 1 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201201033433/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/ponniyin-selvan-will-be-made-in-two-parts-confirms-mani-ratnam-1667109-2020-04-15 . live .
  17. Miles Morales is back in first look at Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One). Coggan. Devan. 4 December 2021. Entertainment Weekly. 4 December 2021. 5 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211205043611/https://ew.com/movies/spider-man-across-the-spider-verse-first-look/. live.
  18. Web site: Donnelly . Matt . 28 July 2023 . 'Beyond the Spider-Verse' Taken Off Sony Release Calendar as Strikes Delay 'Kraven' and 'Ghostbusters' Sequel to 2024 . 28 July 2023 . . 28 July 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230728210719/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/spider-man-beyond-the-spider-verse-kraven-release-date-pushed-2024-strikes-1235682520/ . live .
  19. News: Bankhurst . Adam . The Third Spider-Verse Film Is Called Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse . IGN . 26 April 2022 . en . 28 April 2022 . 28 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220428214749/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-third-spider-verse-film-is-called-spider-man-beyond-the-spider-verse . live .
  20. Web site: Breznican. Anthony. Zack Snyder Goes Galactic: Exclusive First Look at Rebel Moon. Vanity Fair. 6 June 2023. 23 August 2023. 2 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230902224952/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/06/zack-snyder-exclusive-first-look-rebel-moon. live.
  21. Web site: "'Salaar' Teaser: Prabhas and Prashanth Neel's Universe 'Salaar Part 1': CEASEFIRE teaser is here and it promises to be one of the most violent and thrilling rides!" . 2023-07-08 . . en.
  22. Web site: Salaar producer Vijay Kiragandur reveals release date of Prabhas-starrer's sequel: 'Part 2 will be like Game of Thrones' . 2024-02-18 . DNA India . en.
  23. Web site: Fixsen . Rachel . August 4, 2022 . "Horizon" filming this fall: Big budget movie to hire locals as extras . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814011134/https://moabsunnews.com/2022/08/04/big-budget-movie-to-hire-locals-as-extras/ . 14 August 2022 . 13 August 2022 . Moab Sun News.
  24. Web site: Filming begins in St. George for Kevin Costner's 'Horizon, an American Saga'. Egan. Ladd. Swenson. Madison. KSLTV.com. May 2, 2023. May 24, 2023. en.
  25. Web site: Couch. Aaron. October 5, 2023. Kevin Costner's Two-Part 'Horizon: An American Saga' Sets Summer 2024 Dates. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20231005211354/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-costners-horizon-an-american-saga-1235609666/. October 5, 2023. October 5, 2023. The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. Web site: Staff . B. W. W. . WICKED Movie To Be Released In Two Parts . 27 April 2022 . BroadwayWorld.com . en . 27 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427001835/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-WICKED-Movie-To-Be-Released-In-Two-Parts-20220426 . live .
  27. News: Lionsgate Splitting Third 'Divergent' Book 'Allegiant' into Two Films . Variety . 9 December 2017 . 22 December 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051857/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/lionsgate-splitting-third-divergent-book-allegiant-into-two-films-1201155988/ . live .
  28. Web site: Divergent Series: Ascendant - Why The Final Movie Was Canceled. 8 March 2019. Screen Rant. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210404213033/https://screenrant.com/divergent-series-ascendant-final-movie-canceled/. 4 April 2021. 25 September 2019.