Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of The Flash, in which Michael Keaton returns to the role of Batman for the first time since 1992, we’re counting down our favorite movies in which an actor reprises their role for the first time in 10 years or more! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
Legacy sequels are complicated. There are the expectations of multiple generations of fans. There are the pressures from a studio to make them their money back. There’s the balancing act of bringing back all the necessary stars that audiences fell in love with. Matrix Resurrections happening at all is a minor miracle, considering its filming was suspended part way through due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The fact that one of the original creators, Lana Wachowski, managed to come up with a script that actually makes a commentary on the entertainment business, while managing to make Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) compelling again should be considered the screenwriting equivalent of a 40-year-old winning the New York marathon. But what I love the most is the feeling of continuity that comes from this movie. The lore and stories and details feel in line with the original movies. A lot of those legacy sequels can come across like a betrayal to the fans, but I truthfully enjoy the experience with Matrix Resurrections. (Sam Nichols)
For fans of Spider-Man, the beginning of the 21st century has been truly amazing. Besides the outstanding work that Sony Animation is doing with the Spider-Verse series, we’ve gotten three different live action adaptations of the iconic web-slinger. Although not every film has been great, cinemas have been filled with iconic Spider-Man moments since 2002, and all three Peter Parkers (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland) have been excellent, each actor bringing their own unique spin. In Spider-man: No Way Home, we get the perfect culmination of the past two decades of Spider-Men, as the MCU’s Peter (Holland) causes one of Dr. Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) spells to go awry, and the multiverse begins to collapse in on itself. Not only does this bring back our previous Peters, but also some of their most iconic villains, and it’s up to the Spider-Men to rehabilitate them and send them back home. Maguire and Garfield are both phenomenal in their returns to what are arguably their most famous roles, guiding Holland’s Peter through the difficult situations and tough decisions he must make. However, they are not just brought back to act as mentors: Both get resolutions to unfinished arcs from their respective series, and are the centers of some of the most emotional moments of the film. Across two decades of amazing Spider-Man movies, No Way Home may very well be the best. (Jake Hjort)
In many ways, TRON probably never should have existed. It is so essentially part of the ‘80s canon purely on the back of its artistic vision — and that’s because it’s almost entirely made by artists. You would have been hard-pressed to find an actual writer anywhere near the project. TRON: Legacy is the kind of movie that comes along because somebody was inspired by that original in some way, and decided that it could do with an actual story that might mean something. Jeff Bridges probably saw the original as just another project that came with a paycheck, but seeing him reprise his role as video game developer Kevin Flynn in his older age is one of those few instances of an actor revisiting a part that’s actually improved with age. Joseph Kosinski is currently one of the most prominent names on peoples’ lists of talented directors they’re keeping their eye on, and it’s off the back of over a decade of solid work, TRON: Legacy among them. Even if you’ve never seen the original — and, honestly, you’d be forgiven for skipping it entirely — TRON: Legacy has some great ideas and gorgeous design that turns an artistic exercise from the ‘80s into an actual, legitimate sci-fi adventure. (Chris Bakker)
There are films that are love letters to their predecessors, but Rocky Balboa feels cut from the same cloth as the original. Not a lot of spectacle in this film; it’s stripped down like the original, and shows a Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) with his glory years well behind him. He’s just shuffling along now. With Adrian passing, and his son being estranged from him, the only thing he can think about is seeing if he has it in himself for one more fight. Stallone is excellent in this film — he really brings the emotion when it is needed for the more challenging and emotional sequences. Rocky’s interactions with Paulie are some of the highlights of this film — you can still feel the chemistry there. The adversary this time around is Mason ‘The Line’ Dixon, played by real life boxer Antonio Tarver, who’s serviceable in the role. He’s not meant to be over-the-top like some previous entries, and he suits this film well. Rocky Balboa is a sequel that can proudly stand next to its iconic original. (Joe Vargas)
I remember the excitement when we learned we were getting a new Star Wars trilogy. And even though we now know where it all led (looking at you, Episode IX), I still have a fondness for The Force Awakens. Sure, is it just A New Hope revamped for the youths? You can argue that. But it was such a blast to see our old favorites back (Han, Chewie, Leia, and Luke) and supported by the new cast, led by Rey, Finn, and Poe. And if the studio had a route map, plan, or even a vague sketch on a piece of a napkin as far as the direction of the new trilogy, The Force Awakens would have been a perfect start. I still think you can have a ton of fun with this movie, despite knowing many things don’t pay off the way we would have wanted. But I hope with the news of Daisy Ridley returning to the Star Wars universe, they will give her something even more epic to do that won’t be A New Hope ripoff. Also, not for nothing, but Harrison Ford looked like he genuinely had a good time, and that’s always good (and quite rare) to see. (Luke Burian)
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are the comedy voices of the 21st century. Their best work has come via animation, with both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but their funniest is easily 21 Jump Street. Turning an ‘80s undercover cop drama into a modern-day comedy was an adventurous undertaking they made look easy. It embraces the absurd concept of sending grown men undercover as high schoolers, and it sticks to playful homage rather than outright mocking it. This is illustrated by the surprise cameos, as Johnny Depp and Peter DeLuise return as their TV characters and connect the universes. The self-awareness and self-referential humor are handled tastefully — it never reaches the point of outright parody. This is a story that may be implausible, but is not impossible, and that sets up great comedy. The constant laughs are supported by believable character development and an interesting dynamic, flipping the roles of popular kid and outcast as the two leads enter high school. Jonah Hill was already an established elite comedy actor, but this was a revelation for Channing Tatum, who re-charted his career trajectory. More importantly, they have explosive chemistry. A stacked supporting cast, great direction, and exciting action sequences help elevate this modern comedy classic. (Jason Mack)
I was never a fan of Star Trek; I never saw the appeal. But when the 2009 version decided to bless me with its presence, I finally understood the appeal. The new and younger version of the characters breath fresh air in the reboot. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), Uhura (Zoe Saldaña), and Bones (Karl Urban) are on board the U.S.S. Enterprise, taking on the villainous Romulan Nero (Eric Bana), who’s from the future and threatening their world. There’s always a new take on what the future will look like (the future pretty much looks like the present), but the imagery of space is vibrant. It’s great to see Kirk and Spock’s beginnings, as they lead an ensemble that molded a great restart to the franchise. I never watched any episodes or films with the original cast, but seeing the great, late Leonard Nimoy return as Spock Prime, I could understand the nostalgia, and his introduction with younger Kirk is hilarious. A time-traveling Spock to help the younger Kirk and Spock keep it together and stop the world from imploding on the inside? Count me in. Star Trek provides good laughs and amazing action sequences, and boldly took us (new fans included) where no man has gone before. (Chantal Ashford)
Have you ever seen The Hustler? It is a biting and deeply dramatic film that you might call a sports movie. Paul Newman was at the heights of his powers, starring as the ambitious and troubled young hustler, “Fast” Eddie. While it was shocking that this story got a sequel, The Color of Money, the idea at the heart of it was fascinating. In The Hustler, Eddie was the upstart trying to take down Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason). But now, Eddie is a rugged and veteran grifter who is still making the rounds. So how do you elevate that premise? You get Martin Scorsese to direct it. There is so much style and technical perfection in The Color of Money. Eddie now takes a young hustler, portrayed by Tom Cruise, under his wing. The charisma on screen is so compelling and engrossing. You think this is a story about passing the torch, but it offers something different with its wiliness. We see the rebirth of an aging con man, pushed there by a young competitor. The Color of Money is an underappreciated gem in Scorsese’s filmography that elevates the sports movie genre. (Shane Conto)
Denis Villeneuve is a director who knows how to make compelling movies, whether they’re mind-bending, thrilling, tense, or all of the above. One thing is for sure: They are also beautiful to look at on a 50-foot screen surrounded by mind blowing sound. Blade Runner 2049 is no exception. A long-awaited sequel to a culturally relevant and endlessly debated original, Blade Runner 2049 is a sci-fi noir that stars Ryan Gosling this time around. Gosling’s character, ‘K,’ is a Blade Runner assigned to hunt down rogue Replicants, human-like androids that have rebelled against their programming. Returning 35 years later to his role as Rick Deckard is Harrison Ford, who is bound to show up a lot on this list. Ford, who has been enjoying a late-career surge of new and reprised roles in the last few years, gives his return to Blade Runner his all. Even though he doesn’t show up until 100 minutes into the movie, he makes the most of his time. I particularly enjoy watching him and Gosling together on screen, especially during their fight, knowing that one of those punches was the real deal! Although I was not a fan of the original, I was absolutely blown away by Blade Runner 2049. (Nick Ferro)
When I first heard they were doing a Top Gun sequel, I literally laughed out loud. What kind of story could they cobble together that would make sense for Maverick (Tom Cruise) and anyone else they decide to bring along for the ride? It turns out I’m the idiot for doubting Cruise and his ability to create a blockbuster that resonates in an age where going to the theater is on the decline. Top Gun: Maverick’s greatest strength is the spectacle that demands to be seen on the big screen. You just don’t get the same effect watching it at home. It’s also more emotional than I thought it was going to be. Given the circumstances of some of the returning performers and stakes of the mission, it’s understandable why this had people (including me) on the edge of their seats the entire third act. Cementing his legacy as a bonafide movie superstar, Cruise delivers a spectacular film, and defied the risk of making a subpar sequel to a beloved movie. Top Gun: Maverick had no business being as good as it is, but we benefit from the work that Cruise (and countless others) put in to making it great. (Mike Hilty)
Mary Poppins Returns
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: Dick Van Dyke is a national treasure. Having played multiple characters at the bank in the original, getting him back as Mr. Dawes Jr. for Mary Poppins Returns was a delight. Taking place a few decades after her first adventure, Emily Blunt steps in as the titular nanny to help out the Banks siblings and Michael’s children. Though understandable that Julie Andrews herself did not want to make a cameo and distract from Blunt taking over the role, Van Dyke stepping back into this role makes perfect sense. For a film that’s charming enough as a whole, the return of Van Dyke in this role is a particular highlight, particularly if you have love for the original Disney classic. (Jake Bourgeois)
Bridget Jones’s Baby
Look, we were all shocked when this one was announced. Surely this is not a concept that naturally denotes a trilogy. However, I believe this iteration still manages to keep all the funny, sexy, and clumsy elements of Bridget Jones that the audience fell in love with from day one. Rounding out the story in a classic way, Bridget Jones’s Baby revisits the story we know, with the addition of a not-so-little surprise. Keeping an imperfect protagonist as its main focus, some might say that the rehash of past stories was unnecessary. But I would say that when you’re in the mood for a witty romantic comedy, you’re really looking for two main things: chemistry, and the big finish. This series manages to deliver on both again and again. The Pride and Prejudice reimagining has ended up in the hearts of many, and has managed to stay there at many a mental forefront. (Alice-Ginevra Micheli)
Live Free or Die Hard
I would argue the fourth entry in the Die Hard franchise should be talked about as being one of the better outings for John McClane (Bruce Willis). Obviously the first movie is an all-timer, but I think we could have an honest discourse about what comes next (not five; never five). This film smartly surrounds Willis with some of the most talented supporting cast an action movie could gather: Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, and Maggie Q are all incredible in bringing the gruffness and quick wit out of Willis. It feels like he is having just the most wonderful time returning to his iconic character. The action is also aplenty, with every set piece being an incredible piece of destruction and fun. Helicopter vs. Car, Semi vs. Jet, the shootout in the apartment, and the fight at the superstation resulting in one of the coolest endings to a fight in the whole series. This was once laughed at as being a weak showing, but in the world where Fast and Furious has turned into a superhero franchise, Live Free or Die Hard at least keeps some sort of roots in fun action movies. (Scott Batchelor)
Scream (2022)
Scream (2022) brings fresh faces to the franchise after an 11-year wait. It takes a lot of inspiration from the original Scream, which has a lot of humor, surprise, and perfectly-timed jokes. Scream (2022)continues this trend, and is a fun outing that makes for good laughs and edge-of-your-seat excitement. Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) has left Woodsboro, which seems to be the breeding ground for Ghostface killers. Sam’s days away from Woodsboro end when her sister Tara (Jenna Ortega) is nearly killed by Ghostface. The opening sequence does a good job of setting up a chain of events that brings in some fresh faces. Along with the new characters, the key trio of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), Dewey Riley (David Arquette), and Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox) grace the film with their presence. The new characters shine in their own ways, and they benefit from from standouts Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin (Mason Gooding and Jasmine Savoy Brown). They both bring so much charisma and humor, although they could’ve used way more screen time. The sequel is fun, and has good dialogue and respect for the original Scream franchise. It respects the experience of the three legacy characters. (Christian Grullon)
Ghostbusters: Afterlife
After Ghostbusters II came out, fans of the series waited for a third movie that seemingly never would come until 2021 with Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) lived a hermit life until he is killed by a ghost; his daughter, Callie (Carrie Coon), and her kids, Trevor (Finn Wolfhard) and Phoebe (Mckenna Grace), inherit his house. When signs of supernatural activity begin to show, Phoebe and Trevor set out to discover what it is, and what their grandfather was up to. Afterlife hit home with many fans because Ramis passed away in 2014, and the film was dedicated to him and the fans. Jason Reitman takes over as director. His father, Ivan Reitman, was the original director, which really makes this movie about family. The original Ghostbusters, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson, return as well, bringing a taste of nostalgia to the film. And the new cast really shines, making a story deeply rooted in the first Ghostbusters that much better. (Austen Terry)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Volcanic eruptions, large scale maritime evacuations, a black market dinosaur auction, weaponized genetic engineering, a private residence with both a museum and secret underground laboratory, the long awaited — albeit brief — return of Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum), and a John Deere hat that rivals Harry Potter’s cloak (seriously, not a single person notices one of the most recognizable redheads on the planet because of a baseball cap?!) make Fallen Kingdom hands down the best of the Jurassic World trilogy. It’s insane how much story is packed into 129 minutes of runtime — it both furthers the previous plot points and sets up the following installment, all while introducing a diverse set of new characters, injecting a terrifying new hybrid into the deadly mix of dinos (Indoraptor still haunts my dreams), and makes the audience develop feelings for an unknown Brachiosaur as it bellows for help through a smoky mist in a matter of seconds (I’m not crying, you’re crying). Fallen Kingdom combines all the most thrilling aspects of the original Jurassic Park, while blending in and improving aspects of where it went wrong in The Lost World, resulting in a film that’s exhilarating, emotional, and the perfect continuation for one of the most well-known franchises in cinematic history. (Patrice Downing)
Also See: Terminator: Dark Fate, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, The Godfather Part III, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Never Say Never Again, T2: Trainspotting