Originality Crisis: Hollywood’s overreliance on unoriginal content destroys the innovation of the film industry

When I heard the news that a live-action remake of Disney’s “Moana” was being made in 2026, I audibly groaned. Don’t get me wrong, I adore “Moana.” The original movie is a perfect blend of humor and heartwarming lessons with a no-skip soundtrack, making it a must-see.  

But it’s been 4 months since “Moana 2” came out and only eight years since the original. It’s not like audiences have forgotten Moana and Maui’s amazing adventures. The upcoming movie is likely going to follow the original’s storyline. Not only that, but Dwayne Johnson, who played Maui in the animated film, will be playing the same character in the remake — it’s completely redundant.

The movie isn’t meant to progress the storyline in any way — it’s simply a cash grab. 

The film industry is trapped in a cycle of remakes, sequels and adaptations — recycling established franchises rather than exploring new stories and ideas. While there is a certain comfort in familiarity, the reliance on unoriginal content ruins the cinematic experience for the viewers.

Moana is just one of the iconic franchises that have fallen victim to Hollywood’s originality crisis. The 2024 “Mean Girls” remake was a disgrace to the original, “Kung Fu Panda 4” was a complete downgrade, and now there’s even going to be a remake of “Lilo & Stitch.”

Instead of taking risks on cutting-edge scripts, studios often choose the safer route, banking on the nostalgia associated with iconic films and beloved TV shows. It’s why Hollywood keeps producing franchises past their prime. I mean “Grey’s Anatomy” is in its 21st season, it took 11 “Fast and Furious” movies to end the storyline and who knows when “Mission Impossible” will finally be done.

This strategy completely stifles any innovation and creativity within the industry because while familiar titles may draw in initial box office success due to brand recognition, they ultimately undermine Hollywood’s potential for growth. 

Plus, making a movie live-action doesn’t magically enhance its quality. The original animated Lion King remains a classic, and while the live-action remake and the prequel both stuck to the original storyline, the CGI made the once-beloved characters seem stiff and emotionless.

Animation takes you to a world you have to imagine. It creates a place away from reality that live-action remakes ruin. The exaggerated facial expressions no actor can replicate, bright colors and endless possibilities for world-building shouldn’t be stifled by the limitations of live-action remakes.

Lack of originality has also created issues when re-casting characters in remakes like “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” the upcoming “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

In all instances, the actresses playing Annabeth Chase, Astrid Hofferson and Ariel are Black women, which resulted in the actresses receiving a lot of online hate. Now, all three of them are great actresses and deserving of their roles, but there’s no need to add diversity to films as an after-thought when studios can create new stories where people of color are the main characters.

Take “The Little Mermaid,” for example. I hate to break it to you, Disney, but the Disney Princess Franchise doesn’t need to be limited to its current 13 characters— it’s possible to create new Disney princesses instead of recycling content. 

At the very least, studios can use past projects as inspiration for an innovative film. “Cruella” is a clear example of how the industry can make an original storyline that paves its own way in a franchise. The movie doesn’t just copy and paste “101 Dalmatians.” It instead brings depth to Cruella’s character and makes the viewer actually sympathize with Cruella and admire her fashion expertise. 

Younger generations shouldn’t have to live off the leftover scraps of franchises. Creativity is the heart of filmmaking, and it’s time Hollywood breathed new life into its storytelling by embracing originality.