Early 2000s corporate consolidation made studios shun originality for franchises and sequels

Evidence

This flourishing oasis for connoisseurs, nerds, deviants, and militants stood in stark contrast to the early aughts entertainment industry, where a wave of corporate consolidations, mergers, and acquisitions pressured executives to prioritize big returns and quick profits. Patience for auteurs and slow-burn successes all but vanished. At the box office, only franchises and sequels seemed to stand a chance: The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Terminator 3, Bad Boys II, Shrek 2. Even before the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, superhero movies like Spider-Man and Fantastic Four had already flooded the market. — W. David Marx, Blank Space, 166