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List of films split into multiple parts

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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

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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

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In many cases, the process of splitting films has been criticized, citing financial motivations in turning successful books into longer film series.[1] In 2012, 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]

Notable examples

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Canceled sequels

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  • The 1978 animated film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, directed by Ralph Bakshi, was originally set to be split into two parts, but for various reasons, the sequel was never made.
  • The 2000 film adaptation of Battlefield Earth was set to be split into two parts. The first part was released in May 2000 and the sequel was set to be released in May 2002, but because of the first film's bad reviews and poor box-office performance, the sequel was permanently canceled.[citation needed]
  • The film adaptation of the third Divergent novel Allegiant was set to be split into two parts: Allegiant released in March 2016 and Ascendant was set to be released on 9 June 2017.[26] Due to Allegiant's poor box office performance, a theatrical release for Ascendant was dropped in favor of reconfiguring the project as a television film for Starz that would be followed by a spinoff series. Both projects were later canceled, effectively ending the franchise.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Satran, Joe (1 August 2012). "'The Hobbit' Movies To Be Split Into 3, Echoing 'Harry Potter'". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Jackson to split Hobbit into three movies". ABC (Australia). 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Peter Jackson's The Hobbit to be extended to three films". The Guardian. 30 July 2012. Archived from the original on 4 December 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  4. ^ Ebert, Roger (16 December 1988). "Little Dorrit". RogerEbert.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
  5. ^ Baliga, Shashi (16 June 2012). "Showcase: Blood-soaked epic". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  6. ^ Joey Esposito (5 February 2013). "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 Blu-ray Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 26 January 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  7. ^ Goldberg, Matt (1 June 2011). "Lionsgate to Break THE HUNGER GAMES Books into Four Movies". Collider. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  8. ^ Pineda, Rafael (22 March 2017). "Haikara-san ga Tōru Anime Films' Debut Dates, Titles, Staff Revealed". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 24 March 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  9. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (8 July 2017). "Code Geass Compilation Film Trilogy Reveals Visual, Teaser Video, Dates". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  10. ^ Komatsu, Mikakatsu (30 August 2018). "BLOOD-C New Live-Action film BLOOD-CLUB DOLLS 1 Trailer Posted for October 13 Release". Crunchyroll. Archived from the original on 30 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
  11. ^ "NTR in two parts: Kathanayakudu and Mahanayakudu". Telugucinema.com. 4 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  12. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (18 June 2020). "1st Sailor Moon Eternal Film Delayed to January 8 With 2nd Film Scheduled for February 11". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  13. ^ Mateo, Alex (28 April 2022). "Sailor Moon Manga's Final Arc Gets 2 Sailor Moon Cosmos Films in Early Summer 2023". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  14. ^ Lang, Brent; Schafer, Ellise (26 October 2021). "'Dune: Part 2' Officially Greenlit, Release Date Set for 2023". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Ponniyin Selvan will be made in two parts, confirms Mani Ratnam". India Today. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  16. ^ Coggan, Devan (4 December 2021). "Miles Morales is back in first look at Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  17. ^ Donnelly, Matt (28 July 2023). "'Beyond the Spider-Verse' Taken Off Sony Release Calendar as Strikes Delay 'Kraven' and 'Ghostbusters' Sequel to 2024". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  18. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (26 April 2022). "The Third Spider-Verse Film Is Called Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse". IGN. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  19. ^ Breznican, Anthony (6 June 2023). "Zack Snyder Goes Galactic: Exclusive First Look at Rebel Moon". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 2 September 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  20. ^ ""'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!"". Times of India. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Salaar producer Vijay Kiragandur reveals release date of Prabhas-starrer's sequel: 'Part 2 will be like Game of Thrones'". DNA India. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  22. ^ Fixsen, Rachel (4 August 2022). ""Horizon" filming this fall: Big budget movie to hire locals as extras". Moab Sun News. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  23. ^ Egan, Ladd; Swenson, Madison (2 May 2023). "Filming begins in St. George for Kevin Costner's 'Horizon, an American Saga'". KSLTV.com. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  24. ^ Couch, Aaron (5 October 2023). "Kevin Costner's Two-Part 'Horizon: An American Saga' Sets Summer 2024 Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  25. ^ Staff, B. W. W. "WICKED Movie To Be Released In Two Parts". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
  26. ^ "Lionsgate Splitting Third 'Divergent' Book 'Allegiant' into Two Films". Variety. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  27. ^ "Divergent Series: Ascendant - Why The Final Movie Was Canceled". Screen Rant. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2019.

Further reading

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