9 Major Movie Retcons That Actually Worked Out Well

April 16, 2024, 12:05 p.m.

Movies

9 Major Movie Retcons That Actually Worked Out Well

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Summary Major retcons can redefine film lore for the better by fixing errors, facilitating new directions, or giving characters second chances.

Retcons can be necessary for long-running series to ensure narrative coherence and breathe new life into a franchise.

Successful retcons enhance a series by clarifying old information with new aspects that fit within the film universe.

Major movie retcons can usually go one of two ways, either they were disastrous changes that messed up the lore of a film series, or they worked out well and helped redefine previously established events in a way that made sense and suited the series moving forward. A retcon was something that retrospectively reconfigured a movie with new information that imposed a different interpretation of previous plot points. Whenever a retcon worked out well, it helped facilitate a movie series going in a new direction, fixed previous errors, or allowed characters to receive second chances.

While retcons were to be avoided, in some instances they were necessary, and, for long-running series, they were often essential to ensure coherence within the overall narrative. Major movie retcons have been seen in everything from Star Wars to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and, when they worked out well, often breathed new life into the franchise. The best movie retcons made the series better in retrospect as they cleared up old information with new aspects that made sense within the universe of the film.

9 Retrospectively Explaining The Absence Of Feathered Dinosaurs

Jurassic World (2015)

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buy Not available Not available Not available The Jurassic World Ultimate Collection includes the 6 movies in the immensely popular dinosaur franchise. It begins with paleontologists Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler and mathematician, Ian Malcolm, as they tour an island theme park that is populated by dinosaurs that were created from prehistoric DNA. The dinosaurs eventually break free, creating the havoc that is explored in the 6 films. You can buy all 6 movies right now for $60 for Prime Day.

Director Colin Trevorrow Release Date June 12, 2015 Cast Bryce Dallas Howard , Chris Pratt , Omar Sy , Jake Johnson Runtime 124 minutes

When director Steven Spielberg first wowed audiences with the incredible cinematic spectacular that was Jurassic Park in 1993, the idea of feathered dinosaurs was not commonly accepted in the scientific community. However, later dinosaur fossils helped confirm that plenty of non-avian dinosaurs were feathered and the reptile-like presentation of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park was highly inaccurate. Although some feathered dinosaurs did appear throughout the Jurassic Park sequels, this was an error that had never been accounted for or explained in the movies.

However, with the release of Jurassic World in 2015, the absence of many feathered dinosaur species was retroactively explained through a clever retcon that gave it an in-universe explanation. The first installment of the Jurassic World series explained that the reason many dinosaurs were not feathered was because the fossils were cloned using amphibian DNA. This retcon recontextualized the entire series and gave a reason for a fault that scientists were not fully aware of back in 1993, while also allowing the series to continue presenting dinosaurs as the massive reptile-like creatures it was known for showing.

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8 Giving Ryan Reynolds Another Chance To Be Deadpool

Deadpool (2016)

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buy Not available Not available Not available The Merch With The Mouth gets his very own film in Deadpool, an action-adventure comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular hero. When mercenary Wade Wilson discovers he has an aggressive type of cancer that threatens to cut his life short, he decides to take a shady offer from a businessman who promises to cure him. Tortured and left for dead, the treatment makes Wade immortal - and a little bit twisted - as he seeks out his tormentors for revenge. Director Tim Miller Release Date February 9, 2016 Cast Ryan Reynolds , Morena Baccarin , T.J. Miller , Brianna Hildebrand , Karan Soni , Ed Skrein , Michael Benyaer , Stefan Kapicic

After the incredible success of Deadpool in 2016, which was the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time when it was released, it was clear that Ryan Reynolds was perfectly cast as the four-wall-breaking comic book anti-hero also known as Wade Wilson. However, this was only possible after a different portrayal of Reynolds as Deadpool was retconned with the release of the film, allowing Marvel a second chance to introduce the world to the character. This was because Reynolds had already played the role of Deadpool in the 2009 movie X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The version of Deadpool seen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine lacked the tongue-in-cheek satirical bite of Deadpool and the character did not even utilize the signature fourth-wall-breaking humor that defined Wade Wilson. Luckily, Deadpool retconned this previous portrayal entirely and Reynolds had another chance to prove he had what it took to take up the role. Reynold’s new portrayal was highly acclaimed and led to a sequel, Deadpool 2, as well as upcoming plans to integrate Deadpool into the MCU.

7 Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Being Twins

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983)

At its core, the Star Wars series and the entire Skywalker Saga was a story about family, which was primarily seen through Luke Skywalker being the son of the Sith Lord Darth Vadar. However, this theme also applied to Luke and Princess Leia who, in The Return of the Jedi, were revealed to be twins, which added depth and intrigue to the space opera series. While it could be argued that this reveal was not a retcon, the fact that Luke and Leia kissed in The Empire Strike Back confirmed it was not always planned to have them be related.

Although when rewatching Star Wars, the kiss was always an uncomfortable scene, Luke and Leia being related only added to Star Wars theme of how family drama can affect the entire galaxy. The reveal of Luke and Leia’s connection added complexity and emotional resonance to the story of Star Wars as both characters were forced to confront the meaning of their family’s legacy. The connection between Luke, Leia, and Vader also played a pivotal role in Vader’s redemption arc and helped give a personal touch to the series' theme of light versus darkness.

6 Fusing The X-Men Timelines

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

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buy Not available Not available Not available The fifth installment in the X-Men movie franchise, X-Men: Days of Future Past, is a time-traveling superhero film that takes place between two points in time in the series. With mutants (and almost humans) on the brink of extinction due to the Sentinel robot menace, the last remnants of the X-Men send Logan back in time to stop the assassination of the man who created the Sentinels to save their future from certain doom. Director Bryan Singer Release Date May 22, 2014 Cast Patrick Stewart Hugh Jackman , James McAvoy , Michael Fassbender , Jennifer Lawrence Runtime 132minutes

When X-Men: First Class was released in 2011, it was intended to be a reboot of the X-Men franchise with actors James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender playing younger versions of Charles Xavier and Magneto. However, when the sequel X-Men: Days of Future Past was released, this was retconned as a prequel idea and the two disparate timelines were fused into one. The fusing of these X-Men universes allowed for the return of Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and even Hugh Jackson as Wolverine.

This was a highly innovative retcon that gave the X-Men series access to the best of both worlds and allowed for infinite possibilities as every actor ever cast in an X-Men movie now had the potential to show up in the series. Sadly, X-Men: Days of Future Past marked a high point for the updated series and the subsequent entries, Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix, failed to make much of an impact. While the initial retcon was a stroke of genius, its later execution was disappointing.

5 Allowing For A Re-Do Of The Original Movie

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

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buy Not available Not available Not available Evil Dead 2 is the 1987 sequel to Sam Raimi's 1981 directorial film debut. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash Williams, who travels with his girlfriend to a secluded cabin in the woods with his girlfriend Linda (Denise Bixler) and accidentally frees multiple demonic entities that terrorize him and force him to make great sacrifices to survive. Director Sam Raimi Release Date March 13, 1987 Cast Bruce Campbell , Sarah Berry , Denise Bixler , Kassie Wesley DePaiva , Ted Raimi Runtime 84 minutes

The second installment in the Evil Dead series retconned the original movie and allowed for its premise to be repeated with a larger focus on humor. While this helped give the series its unique identity, it also confused viewers as the recap at the opening of Evil Dead 2 included major changes, such as Ash Williams arriving at the cabin with just his girlfriend instead of a group of friends. However, this retcon was only included because Rami did not hold the rights to the original movie and could not use any footage from it in his recap.

This retcon also led to the development of Army of Darkness and the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead.

Despite the initially confusing retconned recap at the beginning of Evil Dead 2, it allowed for a movie that outdid its predecessor when it came to over-the-top violence and outrageous horror comedy. This retcon also led to the development of Army of Darkness and the TV series Ash vs Evil Dead, which continued the story of Ash Williams. Overall, this retcon opened the gate for the entire Evil Dead franchise that has continued right up to today.

4 Apollo Creed’s Illegitimate Son

Creed (2015)

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buy Not available Not available Not available Creed is a spin-off/continuation of the boxing drama franchise Rocky. Set years after the original Rocky series, Creed follows Adonis Johnson, the estranged son of Apollo Creed, on a journey to Philadelphia to find his father's friend/rival, Rocky Balboa. Now training to follow in his father's footsteps, Creed fights to become the best boxer in the world. Director Ryan Coogler Release Date November 25, 2015 Cast Michael B. Jordan , Sylvester Stallone , Wood Harris , Graham McTavish , Tessa Thompson , Phylicia Rashad Runtime 2h 13m

The Creed series was a spin-off to the Rocky franchise with the focus shifted to the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed, Adonis. While the Creed series did not contain any outright contradictions to the Rocky movies that needed to be retconned, it strayed significantly from the established story of Apollo, who was presented as happily married to Mary Anne Creed, who later adopted Adonis. However, in Creed, it was revealed that Apollo had an affair with an unnamed woman shortly before he died in the ring, which could be viewed as a retcon needed to justify Adonis’ difficult backstory.

While this retcon did tarnish the legacy of Apollo somewhat, it also was necessary to give Adonis the motivation and characterization he needed to be a compelling protagonist. Had the Creed movies just focused on one of Apollo’s legitimate children, they would have had a highly privileged upbringing that lacked the underdog appeal of the Creed and Rocky movies. This Rocky retcon only became more acceptable as time went on, since today the Creed series has forged its own identity, moved out of the shadow of its predecessor, and became a major franchise in its own right.

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3 Retconning Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men Into The MCU

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

Spider-Man: No Way Home For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can't run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history. Director Jon Watts Release Date December 17, 2021 Cast Zendaya , Jon Favreau , Tom Holland , Jamie Foxx , Alfred Molina , Benedict Cumberbatch , Marisa Tomei , J.B. Smoove , Benedict Wong , Jacob Batalon Runtime 148 minutes

Tom Holland may have a name for himself as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man, also known as Peter Parker, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but that’s not to say audiences were still not nostalgic for the previous actors who had played the quick-witted highschooler. That’s why it was such a joy to witness the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in Spider-Man: No Way Home. As one of the most anticipated retcons in film history that brought together three different Spider-Men, No Way Home retroactively connected three series into one within the MCU.

With a plot that was based around the multiverse being accidentally opened, No Way Home allowed for alternative realities to be brought into the MCU version of Parker’s universe. While this was an exciting development for a one-off movie, the connected nature of the MCU meant that it opened the door for other characters to appear in future installments. With Maguire and Garfield having now appeared in the MCU, it’s feasible that they could show up again in later movies.

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2 A Sequel To The 1978 Halloween Movie That Disregarded All Other Installments

Halloween (2018)

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buy Not available Not available Not available Halloween is the first film of the David Gordon Green-directed sequel trilogy to the 1978 original horror/slasher film. Having been institutionalized for forty years after the events of the original Haddonfield murders, Michael Myers escapes during a prison transfer to pursue his original target, Laurie Strode. Having lived in fear of his shadow for years, Laurie learns of his return, setting the stage for war while trying to protect her daughter and granddaughter from her masked tormentor. Director David Gordon Green Release Date October 18, 2018 Cast Jamie Lee Curtis , Judy Greer , Andi Matichak , Will Patton , Virginia Gardner , James Jude Courtney , Nick Castle Runtime 106 Minutes

The Halloween horror franchise has always had a confusing timeline that often contradicted itself and retconned previously established characters and events. This was often frustrating as ideas like Laurie Strode and the babysitter killer Michael Myers being related were introduced and then later removed. However, the reboot Halloween series decided to uncomplicate the confusing chronology of the series by retconning every movie except the original and starting again 40 years on from where the first left off.

This retcon gave the Halloween series a much-needed fresh start and resulted in a slasher movie that was well-received by audiences and critics alike. This unique way of reintroducing a beloved horror franchise was mimicked by other subsequent horror movies like Candyman, Scream, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. While the two sequels that were made to the 2018 version of Halloween were not as acclaimed, they still helped revitalize the often-underwhelming Halloween series for a new generation of viewers.

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1 Explaining The Death Star Design Flaw

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

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buy Not available Not available Not available Set in the weeks leading up to Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story provides additional context for the Rebellion's plan to destroy the Death Star. Rogue One follows Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) as she enlists the help of Rebel Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) to locate her father, Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), after the Empire kidnaps him. Director Gareth Edwards Release Date December 13, 2016 Cast Felicity Jones , Diego Luna , Ben Mendelsohn , Donnie Yen Mads Mikkelsen , Alan Tudyk , Jiang Wen , Forest Whitaker Runtime 134 Minutes

The weakness of the Death Star as an intentionally placed design flaw by Galen Erso to assist in its destruction.

As the first in the Star Wars stand-alone movie series, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story took a very small detail from A New Hope and created an entire movie around it based on the rebels who attempted to steal plans for the Empire’s Death Star. A strong concept for a standalone Star Wars movie, Rogue One also offered the opportunity to retcon one of the most common complaints from the original trilogy. Rogue One retrospectively explained the weakness of the Death Star as an intentionally placed design flaw by Galen Erso to assist in its destruction.

Through this explanation, Rogue One resolved a 40-year plot hole and added new intrigue to the complex allegiances that many within the Star Wars universe held. While the ongoing Star Wars anthology series was put on hold due to the disappointing reception Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rogue One was one of the best Star Wars films and showcased the series' ability to tell new and exciting stories outside of the Skywalker family. The Death Star retcon seen in Rogue One was a fantastic example of a major movie retcon that actually worked out well.