Word Spy - requel

requel n. A movie with the same subject matter as an earlier film, but is not a remake of that film, nor does it continue the plot line of that film. Also: re-quel. —v.

Example Citations:

Nearly every James Bond film has been requeled at least once, and "Star Treks" 7 and 10 were both requels of "The Wrath of Khan."
—Roger Ebert, "Wake up and smell a secret," Chicago Sun Times, December 7, 2007

So what's the relationship between Hulk and Incredible Hulk?

Is it A) A retcon (A deliberate changing of previous facts in a work of fiction.) B) A requel (A marketing phrase used to describe the remake of a movie, taken in a different direction.) C) A remake (A piece of fiction that uses a previous work as the main source material) D) A sequel or prequel (A work of fiction set in the same source material, but focused on a previous or later time along the timeline.) or E) A do-over?

It's a do-over, although Marvel is apparently hoping you'll answer "requel."
—John Dietrich, "Second time around: 'Hulk' still not quite it," The Anniston Star, June 19, 2008

Earliest Citation:

"Care Bears Movie II" (a distinct improvement over its 1985 predecessor in storytelling value) ... is what the industry calls a "requel," tracing the origin of the Care Bear family and relatives of other species.
—Michael H. Price, "'Care Bears,' 'Gobots,' no 'Beauty' but likable," Chicago Tribune, April 4, 1986

Notes:

A requel isn't a sequel (a term that dates in the general sense to 1513), a movie that continues a story begun in a previous film, or a prequel (first use: 1958), a movie that takes place during a time before the action of a previous film. Instead, it's a different take (a kind of cinematic reboot) on a previous film.

Subject Category:

Culture - Film

Posted on June 24, 2008