Examples of a supporting character taking over a film franchise

[Riv86672]

Not just a supporting character that steals the show in one movie, but one that actually ends up taking over the franchise itself.

I was watching Tremors: Shrieker Island a few days ago and the question came to mind.

Michael Gross’ Burt Gummer pretty much did it all in that franchise.
He went from supporting character (and comedy relief) in the original, to co-Star in the sequel, to Starring in the third, to leading a TV show based on the movie to playing his own grandfather in the fourth movie. Movies five through seven saw him fight Graboids in extremely different terrains, while in universe he became something of a legend in certain circles after 30 years of cryptid combat.

So yeah, looking for other examples of that type.

[Frobisher]

Predator becomes about the guy in the fetish suit rather than Arnie from the second one on.

[Riv86672]

Predator becomes about the guy in the fetish suit rather than Arnie from the second one on.

Nooooot what I’m looking for but thank you.

[Killerbee911]

So we are basically for things were the star is to big to do the sequel but they kept making sequels? Uhm Independence day 2, Men in Black the last one, The Bourne Ultimatum, Speed 2.... I guess Jurassic Park with the Jeff Goldblum character is only decent one I think about?

Tremor is freak of nature , It was solid budget movie that become this low budget B movie franchise. I can't think of anything really

[Riv86672]

So we are basically for things were the star is to big to do the sequel but they kept making sequels? Uhm Independence day 2, Men in Black the last one, The Bourne Ultimatum, Speed 2.... I guess Jurassic Park with the Jeff Goldblum character is only decent one I think about?

Tremor is freak of nature , It was solid budget movie that become this low budget B movie franchise. I can't think of anything really

Someone at another site mentioned the Pirates of The Carribean franchise to me this morning. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow def. took over that franchise.

[j9ac9k]

Would Anakin Skywalker count? He was the villain in the first trilogy, then the protagonist of the prequel trilogy.

[j9ac9k]

Someone at another site mentioned the Pirates of The Carribean franchise to me this morning. Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow def. took over that franchise.

I don't think that qualifies. I believe the intent was to upset traditional storytelling by making Captain Sparrow the lead of the first movie with the "traditional hero" relegated to supporting. But that's my opinion...

[ChrisIII]

So we are basically for things were the star is to big to do the sequel but they kept making sequels? Uhm Independence day 2, Men in Black the last one, The Bourne Ultimatum, Speed 2.... I guess Jurassic Park with the Jeff Goldblum character is only decent one I think about?

Tremor is freak of nature , It was solid budget movie that become this low budget B movie franchise. I can't think of anything really

The novel of TLW focused on Malcolm already so they were pretty much stuck with using Goldblum regardless. However once they got back to making original stories Sam Neill and Laura Dern did return.

The next movie is going to have all three.

[j9ac9k]

Hannibal Lector was a supporting character in "Manhunter" and "Silence of the Lambs" but became the protagonist later on.

[SiegePerilous02]

The novel of TLW focused on Malcolm already so they were pretty much stuck with using Goldblum regardless. However once they got back to making original stories Sam Neill and Laura Dern did return.

The next movie is going to have all three.

Malcolm died in the first Jurassic Park book. His death was retconned in the second novel because they planned on using him again for the next movie.

[A Small Talent For War]

Not just a supporting character that steals the show in one movie, but one that actually ends up taking over the franchise itself.

I was watching Tremors: Shrieker Island a few days ago and the question came to mind.

Michael Gross’ Burt Gummer pretty much did it all in that franchise.
He went from supporting character (and comedy relief) in the original, to co-Star in the sequel, to Starring in the third, to leading a TV show based on the movie to playing his own grandfather in the fourth movie. Movies five through seven saw him fight Graboids in extremely different terrains, while in universe he became something of a legend in certain circles after 30 years of cryptid combat.

So yeah, looking for other examples of that type.

FAST AND THE FURIOUS, right? Essentially, that entire movie franchise has been about the antagonist of the original movie becoming the protagonist of all the subsequent films, AND the antagonists of sequels becoming the protagonists of spin-offs.

[Midvillian1322]

FAST AND THE FURIOUS, right? Essentially, that entire movie franchise has been about the antagonist of the original movie becoming the protagonist of all the subsequent films, AND the antagonists of sequels becoming the protagonists of spin-offs.

Brian was the POV character but I don't think you can call Vins role a supporting character. They were co-leads and continued to be untill Walkers death.

Staying with Vin Diesel there is Pitch Black/Riddick. Though In the ssme boat as Fast and furious I dont think his character was a side character. Mitchel and Walker played the PoV characters kinda but Vin got just as much attention if not more.

[Cyke]

The X-Men. Most movies were primarily about Wolverine guest starring the X-Men as supporting characters, and then Apocalypse came and they switched places. Then the X-Men were the main protagonists in Dark Phoenix

(all you Fox fans -- I'M KIDDING.)

[j9ac9k]

Sandra Bullock tool over "Speed" from Keanu, but it didn't quite work out.

[Riv86672]

Sandra Bullock tool over "Speed" from Keanu, but it didn't quite work out.

^^^Yeah that franchise died a horrible death.

You also mentioned Bruce Almighty earlier. I think if Evan Almighty had done well, maybe Morgan Freeman would have taken over the franchise, involving himself in more ordinary lives.