Year of the reboot: Will these upcoming revivals hit or miss?

The reboot trend is ruling the entertainment industry like never before. But are these revivals doing more harm than good?

Will Smith on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air during the fourth season.
Will Smith on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air during the fourth season.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Let's face facts. Some things are better left untouched.

That being said, there are a plethora of reboots coming out over the period that need some close examination.

While some do seem to be more of a sequel, others offer a different take on the original.

Taylor Swift turns heads in furry fashion for Chiefs-Texans showdown
Taylor Swift Taylor Swift turns heads in furry fashion for Chiefs-Texans showdown

Will these series be big hits or big disasters? Let's take a look at a few!

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Noah Ringer as Aang in the film adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Noah Ringer as Aang in the film adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

Now, this one does raise some concerns, given the massive success and popularity that the original Nickelodeon series gained during its run.

Avatar: The Last Airbender made headway with its originality, storyline, and animation, which led to the successful spin-off, The Legend of Korra.

Netflix is set to make a live-action version of the classic animated show, but since the original creators are no longer a part of this reboot, fans are skeptical of this project’s chances at success.

Britney Spears deletes video after backlash: "If they only knew how severe my sadness is"
Britney Spears Britney Spears deletes video after backlash: "If they only knew how severe my sadness is"

Then there's the matter of M. Night Shyamalan's embarrassing 2010 film adaptation, which crashed and burned with the public and critics alike.

Still, for those who are willing to give this new attempt a shot, the 2021 version will closely follow its predecessor’s plot, which can only be a good thing. However, one major change fans may not be happy with is that this version’s Katara will be the older sibling. But given that she was pretty much the "mother" of Team Avatar anyway, this doesn't have to be a dealbreaker.

Production for the live-action version of ATLAB will begin later on this year, which means it’ll probably air on Netflix in another year or two.

Sex and the City

Sarah Jessica Parker (c.) Kristin Davis (r.) and Cynthia Nixon reunite for the tapping of "And Just Like That".
Sarah Jessica Parker (c.) Kristin Davis (r.) and Cynthia Nixon reunite for the tapping of "And Just Like That".  © screenshot/instagram/sarahjessicaparker

"And Just Like That" the gals of New York are back!

Well, not exactly all of them. After years of hoping and dreaming, Sex and the City fans will finally get their wishes!

Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, and Cynthia Nixon are set to reprise their iconic roles as Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York Goldenblatt, and Miranda Hobbs.

Noticeably absent, however, is Kim Cattrall, who played the insatiable Samantha Jones. This brings up a glaring issue – can this sort-of-sequel pull it off with just three of the girls?

Sure, each of the main four ladies had their own storylines, but let’s be honest, no one can hold a candle to Samantha Jones, especially when it comes to sex! Sam was really the one putting the ladies onto new sexual experiences while partaking in kinky rendezvous of her own.

However, since Kim and Sarah have reportedly never really got along and Kim has scrubbed any chance of ever returning, viewers will just have to make due.

On a positive note, most of the male hunks, among them Chris North, John Corbett, and David Eigenberg, will be returning to the Big Apple, plus the gal’s best guy pals!

So yes, we won’t have the vivacious Sam Jones gracing the screen, but this reboot could pull it off if done right!

Gossip Girl

Whitney Peak (r.) on the set of the HBO Max series Gossip Girl.
Whitney Peak (r.) on the set of the HBO Max series Gossip Girl.  © IMAGO / MediaPunch

Now, let’s head over to the Upper Eastside.

A new group of privileged teens will have to deal with blackmail, deceit, and the ominous internet figure who was thought to be retired.

Set almost ten years after the events in the original Gossip Girl, the 2021 edition will follow the arrival of a new girl who will seemingly cause a major shakeup amongst her pristine peers.

The trailer for the upcoming series recently dropped, giving viewers a taste of what they're in store for. The only person who will be reprising their role in the new show is Kristen Bell, who voiced the anonymous blogger that kept tabs on the wealthy teens.

Kristen has also teased that the HBO Max series will be a more risqué version, which makes sense since it will be released on the streaming app.

And for the faithful few who do remember how the CW sitcom pushed the boundaries in the new millennium, this reboot is sure to make us more than just blush.

Will it be a hit? Guess we’ll have to tune in to find out. Until next time, Gossip Girl airs on HBO Max, July 8th!

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The original cast of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (from l. to r.): Tatyana Ali, James Avery, Will Smith (front). Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Janet Hubert, and Alfonso Ribeiro (back).
The original cast of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (from l. to r.): Tatyana Ali, James Avery, Will Smith (front). Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Janet Hubert, and Alfonso Ribeiro (back).  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Now, this is a story all about how we're pretty concerned about the reboot of this classic 90s sitcom

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of the best shows on TV, most 90s babies will agree.

Will Smith's titular character capitulated him into fame and also created another positive representation of a successful, African-American family.

So understandably, some eyebrows are raised when it was announced that comedy was being "reimagined." The reboot, titled Bel-Air, will focus on Will's journey in West Philadelphia and is said to be a much darker show.

Thankfully, Will was wise enough not to completely rewrite the original comedy or recast any beloved characters. But does the world really need to see the rougher side of the laid-back rapper?

The series has been picked up by Peacock, so whether we like it or not, The Fresh Prince is back, but just no as we expect.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Everett Collection

More on TV & Shows: