By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 14/04/2026He thinks that the Hollywood mania for sequels and reboots is the result of media execs chasing "familiar surprises." I think there's something to this, but we shouldn't discount the effect that monopolization has on the media. 29/ 140
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 14/04/2026As companies get larger and larger, they end up committing to larger and larger projects, and you just don't take the kinds of risks with a $500m movie that you can take with a $5m one. 30/ 250
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 14/04/2026If you're spending $500m, you want to hedge that investment with as many safe bets as you can find - big name stars, successful IP, and familiar narrative structures. If the movie still tanks, at least no one will get fired for taking a big, bold risk. 31/ 130
CJ @mateloos.be · 14/04/2026Hej Cory, fyi, the link you shared here returns a 404. While I succeeded to get the link to the essay on your website once (via April 2026 page), idk how to repeat, it yet again doesn't work anymore. Neither directly via here or via the April page. Thanks for sharing all that btw, I had no idea. 🍀 100
