Another Nightmare on Elm Street remake is in the works.

Don’t get me wrong—I liked some aspects of the (apparently) standalone reboot five years ago. Sure, it could have been more vibrant and truer to the originals. Funnier. Goofier. Cornier. But Freddy’s background seemed far more sinister this go-round, especially for someone who watched the film as a child and now has a child of their own. And whereas many folks are fed up with this grittier, gloomier new-age style prominent in film today, I relish it. Envisioned as something darker than it used to be, it wasn’t terrible.

And the Friday the 13^th and Halloween reboots? I’ve always found Jason and Michael to be dull characters, but I’ll give them credit. They’re still holding strong.

Maybe Hollywood should keep up this trend.

A Hellraiser reboot, with today’s technology, has some wicked potential. Or Child’s Play. Not like the Bride of Chucky continuation, but a reboot of the originals. I bet bringing back Critters would be badass too. Or maybe someone could redo—

Wait. Stop. Just stop.

Am I the only one who feels this shit is getting ridiculous?

Slipped, Tripped, Landed on the Tip

 I roll my eyes every time I hear about a giant name in the movie world buying rights to a franchise in order to capitalize on the original franchise and create a new fucking franchise.

Now, I’m not completely against horror reboots. In the right hands, they could easily eclipse the classics. However, even with storylines freshened up by a spritz of originality, the overall scenery isn’t changing.

Sometimes it feels like the horror film industry has become one big, sweaty circle-jerk of dependency.

Dependency on the tried and true. Dependency on nostalgia. Dependency on loyalty. Dependency on a grander, richer lifestyle.

This dependency has become a crutch, and it appears as though it’s made from sturdy stuff. We’re seeing reboots and sequels alike cropping up thirty years or so after the originals on a monthly basis now.

Luckily, there’s a simple solution for this injustice to horror fanatics everywhere.

An indie-pendent solution.

A Resolute Solution

I get it. Some people see something and want to add their own style. Some people love characters or plotlines or general ideas so much they have no choice but to write their own story based on them. Kindle Worlds, for example, exists as a fun, creative outlet for fans and legitimate authors alike, and it’s built on the notion of sharing and expanding upon existing works.

I’m not knocking that.

I’m knocking Hollywood’s reboot hack-jobs which illuminate their desire to cash in on something that’s been around the block once or twice.

I’m knocking rich guys who hand rich guys riches in order to get richer on a currently rich movie “cash cow” adventure.

I’m knocking those reboots which required zero original ideas, less thought and dialogue, and more big-budget graphics.

I’m knocking these mega-franchises which are wreaking havoc on classics and paying loads of money to get in on trends.

I’m knocking those who can’t ignore their own putrid aroma of rose-petal-scented ass juice long enough to catch the lingering whiff of unspoken success beckoning from below their movie thrones.

We need more indie visual works out there.

Now, if only there were a steady flow of indie ideas….

Turn the Pages

Wait a minute. The indie horror movie market is alive. Many don’t have that feeling of longevity; rather, it’s as if they’re meant to be standalones. And most of them aren’t big-budget films, though they deliver better stories than some of the mainstream ones.

But they’re alive, and some—It Follows, Maggie, The Babadook—have received great criticism  so far this year, regardless of their overall gross earnings. Upcoming films, like The Visit and Krampus, also look promising.

A large portion of these indie films are original ideas.

So what can someone wanting to expand upon existing ideas do against an onslaught of indie films and mainstream rehashes?

Why not turn to the indie book market?

Go ahead. Dive into a stack of books. Turn the pages. Stick your nostrils inside a paperback and inhale that sweet, succulent aroma of glue and pressed dead tree. Feel the pages slide between your thumb and forefinger as you flick your wrist ever so gently.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to turn on your favorite screen, dim the lighting, and flick your wrist with more speed and anger?

There’s a fucking stockpile of brilliant, original work out there from small presses and self-published writers. These folks would be far more grateful for an offer on optional rights than those larger franchises. Many would probably also be willing to allow changes to plots and characters without contest or competition.

Open your eyes, Hollywood. This reboot trend can’t last forever. Look around.

Find that diamond in the rough where no one else appears to be looking.

Random Wrap-Up

Nostalgic reboots could end up destroying the mainstream horror market. Fresh ideas don’t tend to linger long, and finding fresh ideas isn’t always easy either. But fresh ideas will be necessary to keep horror fanatics in a marijuana-like state of glossy eyes and munchie attacks.

Don’t discount the heaps of great voices and fresh ideas which exist in the indie market all for the sake of lining your silver-lined pockets with platinum. Instead of slipping down slippery slopes of reboot madness, climb the wild new mountain of the indie market.

Support indie authors, if you feel so inclined to run with existing ideas.

Most of us are okay with that.

Really. We are.

Stay tuned. There’s more randomosity coming soon.

JO