During Star Wars Celebration, we learned James Mangold is preparing Dawn of the Jedi, which could be one of the best origin story films ever–the genesis of The Prime Jedi and the Jedi Order. If you are a Star Wars fan and that doesn’t light your fire, your wood is wet.
Set 25,000 years before the Skywalker saga began, acolytes of the franchise will get a glimpse into the origins of the Jedi and set the stage for the intergalactic version of the Hatfields and McCoys. It takes a delicate balance and an overpowering story to create an origin that fans want to return to view.
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- The adherence to canon.
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- The allegiance to fan service.
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- The affinity for the source material.
If those key ingredients are not experienced in the theaters–as well as the post-production room–the movie will fart and fall down with the thunder. Consider those three things that make some compelling origin story films. Which ones have offered spades in all of them? What are the movies that have made you sit up and pay attention to the details of how your favorite character came to be?
That is the task of this Top 10 list, one we will enjoy creating and debating because it’s almost certain you will think we are missing a couple. So, let the geek vibes begin.
Here are the Top 10 Origin Story Films ever created.
HM: Casino Royale (2006)
We have experienced decades of films among six different leading Bond, James Bond actors before this gem of the 007 franchise. The problem is that we were never given an origin story. When Sean Connery kicked off Dr. No in 1962, we meet James Bond established in his office. Fast forward 44 years, we meet Daniel Craig, and what better way to bring in a new Bond than to show how Bond got here in the first place?
Unfortunately, Casino Royale isn’t usually considered among the great origin story films because it came so late in the franchise. Nonetheless, we shouldn’t forget its place among these important films that connect us with our favorite characters. How did he earn his license to kill and does he prefer his weak martini? It is all in this spectacular film. Ian Fleming would be proud.
10. X-Men: First Class (2011)
When Hollywood wants to revitalize a lost franchise, they discover the charm of an origin story. X-Men: The Last Stand (lovingly known as “X-Men 3”) hobbled the knees and ankles of the entire franchise. It did nothing to set up how else we could enjoy the X-Men. That is, until one of the origin story films ever made was created and restored home in the mutants once again.
This film allowed fans to see what life was like before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr were consumed with mutant powers. Before Professor X and Magneto controlled minds and metal, they were just dudes who liked each other and wanted to live simple lives. Unfortunately, the world wouldn’t let them and we were permitted an insider’s vantage point. Without this film, we wouldn’t have Logan, Days of Future Past, or shoot, even Deadpool 3. What a tragedy that would be.
9. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
Those books were already popular but it wasn’t until Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone hit the big screen that J.K. Rowling was set for life and this kid wizard became part of the fabric of the theater experience. Harry Potter was puny, and treated like crap by his family, but had a dream to be better.
Who can’t relate to that?!
Then, he’s invited to Hogwarts School, meets two besties, plays some ancient form of golf, and discovered his destiny was related to his early life–bullies suck and, even if you can’t name them, they still must be confronted. The longer the lineage, the darker the movies became. Yet, it started with one of the best origin story films ever made.
8. Spider-Man (2002)
Who knew one of the best origin story films would require the twisted imagination of Sam Raimi and his legacy of horror?! When Tobey Maguire was cast as Peter Parker, CBMs would be different forever because both men showed us all that something can stick to canon, and work.
What’s beautiful about the trailer is its beginning, “Who am I?” That’s how an origin story should begin. We have an understanding of who this character is, but then to see him, her, or it (shout out to Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy, another one of the great origin story films ever made) come to life? It’s a memory that stays burning in every nerd’s heart everywhere. And this was the film to show all others that have come after it how an origin film should be created.
7. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
There are two words–and two words, only–why Rise of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best origin story movies ever: Andy. Serkis. What he did for Caesar was revolutionary filmmaking. Back in 1968, and studio makeup being what it was, Charlton Heston may as well be part of a staff Halloween party. But, in the hospital where James Franco was raising Caesar, this was an ape that could convey complex emotions.
Through the eyes of an abused ape, we learned about frustration, angst, and the desire to stay alive. Not only did we discover Caesar’s boiling point, but also how he established his army to stand up to the human race. This origin story was a massive surprise, and its sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was even better. Matt Reeves always loves the underdog, and it shows.
6. Star Trek (2009)
People like J.J. Abrams are considered pariahs by some people in Hollywood because they do “it” differently. Making movies, telling stories, and creating endings to keep you guessing. Critics and fans may have issues with the way he does it, but as long as kept producing things like Lost, Fringe, Cloverfield, and this film, that man will always have a job.
Star Trek is a historic franchise and J.J. Abrams did the unthinkable–resurrected an established, decades-old landmark and breathed new life into it with one of the best origin story films ever. He faced a mile-high wall and cleaned the thing with no problem. With a perfect cast, a brilliant story (the “Kelvin” timeline), and a plot that paid homage to the original while establishing the new.
There is a reason people still clamor for the fourth installment. Now, if only Hollywood would get that memo!
5. Iron Man (2008)
An 11-year story with more than 20 films connecting the dots had to begin with a single act. And, if that insurmountable task was going to work, that first step in the right direction had to be perfect. Jon Favreau‘s Iron Man was precisely that. Among origin story films, Iron Man established the movement for Kevin Feige‘s plan and the trajectory for the MCU to succeed. What movie had that kind of responsibility?
Marvel established everything on its way to becoming the most successful film franchise in cinematic history. All the magic, the heroes and villains, the post-credit scenes, the world-building–all of it began with this genius stroke of filmmaking and origin storytelling. And not for nothing, but Robert Downey Jr. is one of the best casting jobs ever, so that helped a little.
4. Man of Steel (2013)
Let’s make people angry, shall we? In 1978, we learned the story of Kal-El/Clark Kent in a way that made people believe they can fly. Superman was a majestic feat for origin story films, but then Zack Snyder accomplished that and more. Man of Steel is a remarkable movie because it expanded the mind of what we thought Superman was about, and created new notes in the storyline we never knew it needed.
Moments from Lois determining what the “S” means (or doesn’t) to Kal discovering how to fly, Man of Steel was more than a movie. This was a beautiful dance with fans that would refresh the love shared for Jerry Siegel’s and Joe Shuster’s creation while energizing a new fan base about the possibilities for tomorrow. If only Warner Bros. wasn’t…well, Warner Bros. This film was a majestic course in storytelling.
And if you don’t believe Man of Steel was that beloved, ask any nerd how they feel about Henry Cavill being booted unceremoniously. Following all those cuss words could be a few tears.
3. Joker (2019)
Who knew Joker had a name? Much less, all that backstory? Filling in those blanks is what makes origin story films memorable and worth ranking in the first place. Todd Phillips established a noir version of probably the most celebrated comic villain ever created. It was dark, dreary, and inconceivable. There was nothing redemptive about that entire story–and it was perfect.
Joaquin Phoenix was a triumph and received an Oscar for his work. He was the best actor that year, not the best “comic book” actor, but the best. Period. The story of Arthur Fleck gave Phoenix his path and he walked it with pride because a new story was being told that improved the character’s future.
2. The Godfather: Part II (1974)
There isn’t enough that can be said about The Godfather: Part II. How can something be one of the best sequels ever made and be one of the best origin story films ever made as well? How can two actors get an Oscar for playing the same character? That’s precisely what happened–first, Marlon Brando then, Robert DeNiro. There were two movies combined in one teaching us about the man who was and who is Don Vito Corleone.
It was a mesmerizing film, one that fans watched each minute with vigor and intrigue every time they see it. Origin films take the purity of the character and explain how those traits evolve, and few films have done that better than this one. Well, only one has done that.
1. Batman Begins (2005)
When Christopher Nolan was given the reins to what we believed was going to be the DC Cinematic Universe, no one planned on this. Up until this point, no one had decided to create a full origin story on the Caped Crusader. Tim Burton gave us a version of Bruce Wayne, but what motivated him and controlled him? Revisiting his childhood would show us his darkest fears and more determined purpose.
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- Bruce Wayne was the most gifted detective ever, but how?
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- Batman is considered one of the most deadly martial artists in DC, but to what effect?
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- Wayne Enterprises has molded Gotham, but to what shape?
It was who he was underneath, but what he does that defined him. Never before had a character strived to live up to a credo like that (or had to growl his way through a script), but Christian Bale did it in stellar fashion. As did Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Heath Ledger, and every other genius character that came before us.
All those answers awaited fans of Batman Begins, but no one knew all the questions they would have once they left the theater. The origin story was complete. Its sequel was even better. And the finale of the trilogy became the blueprint for every CBM trilogy made since.
Since he saw ‘Dune’ in the $1 movie theater as a kid, this guy has been a lover of geek culture. It wasn’t until he became a professional copywriter, ghostwriter, and speechwriter that he began to write about it (a lot).
From the gravitas of the Sith, the genius of Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or the gluttony of today’s comic fan, SPW digs intelligent debate about entertainment. He’s also addicted to listicles, storytelling, useless trivia, and the Oxford comma. And, he prefers his puns intended.