Remakes and Mistakes: Financial Motivations Threaten Representation in Film

At a time where underrepresented groups are finally gaining traction in the film industry, financial motivations impede progress.

According to the 2024 Worldwide Box Office, fourteen of the fifteen highest grossing movies last year were either sequels, prequels, or remakes. The film industry is fiscally very encouraged to write adaptations and follow-ups to existing storylines. Trouble is, many existing stories feature outdated narratives and casts that lack diversity. If remakes offer a chance for large companies to amend previous mistakes, why do some films still feel as though they’ve missed the mark?

Money. Financial motivations threaten representation in film. In short, the industry can slip into the trap that makes the most money, and in doing so, fails to represent artists and produce films that make a societal impact. By neglecting to make a novel statement and cutting corners, big players in film are missing an opportunity for advocacy.

By prioritizing finances, big filmmakers are missing a chance to advocate for genuine representation

Fear Discourages Innovative Representation

Filmmakers who are afraid of repercussions shy away from making a full statement with their work. What they fail to consider is that every action has consequences—even inaction. Balancing a fast-evolving vocabulary and society’s keener awareness for inclusivity intimidates creators who may feel they have too much to lose; rather than hang their hat on a belief, they fall into a pre-made template, because they know it works. Doing this might spare them from “cancel culture,” but it gives no traction to righting societal injustices. Companies show their skin in the game when they refuse to push the barrier, proving that they are merely following a trend, and if the trend were to switch, they would follow that, too. In many ways, standing for nothing is a choice rooted in fear, and viewers can feel that hesitancy in a product. This leads to a bland, overdone story that sells, sure…but does little else. Hence, missing the point: artists who are in their craft for financial gain are contributing little else but what goes to their pockets.

Technology Encourages Financial Shortcuts

With technology growing more gigantic every day, it becomes easier and easier for filmmakers to rely on gadgets to do their heavy lifting, rather than people. There’s no denying that technological advances have improved cinema; however, when films use CGI instead of people, or AI rather than writers, they are failing their audiences. It's not genuine to produce a film which masks itself as inclusive—say, casting one actor from an underrepresented group—and simultaneously cutting opportunities by, for example, utilizing CGI rather than hiring individuals who have also been underrepresented. This half-hearted effort to appear inclusive reveals their actual intentions (money). To be the platform for professionals who have previously not been given a fair opportunity, the film industry must be eager to employ a diverse workforce. Jobs where real people can use their real voice is helpful; pretending to be progressive while replacing contributors with machines is just phony.

Use films for societal impact by giving underrepresented artists a platform to stand on

Financial Motivations Threaten Representation in Film

Financial motivation has threatened filmmaker’s progression in championing underrepresentation in cinema. Remakes and sequels are great—but in pursuing them, it is important for creators to expand on their actions alongside their narratives. Knowing this, the solution relies on good intention and accountability.

The audience holds the power to support projects which truly diversify their staff and create modern, inclusive narratives. Offer viewership to producers and companies whose product aligns with their values, and who are clear and honest in their advocacy efforts. In doing so, companies will be encouraged to keep making progress. Stories are being rewritten—in order to get it right, films have to practice what they preach and take advantage of their stage to uplift voices society so desperately needs to hear.