10 Movie Franchises That Died In 2017

9. Blade Runner

The Franchise: Ridley Scott's iconic 1982 sci-fi classic may have been a box office dud, but its legacy is palpable enough that Warner Bros. agreed to pour $170 million into a sequel, with the brilliant Denis Villeneuve helming.

The hope, clearly, was that an auteur of Villeneuve's skill could drive Blade Runner 2049 to huge box office returns, which would allow them to further explore this vibrant world with a third movie.

What Happened?: In a predictable result that somewhat poetically echoes the reception of the original film, 2049 enjoyed rave reviews from critics and fans, but has grossed just $250 million to date, making it a certifiable box office bomb.

As fantastic (and undeniably misguided from a business perpsective) as it is that Warner Bros. spent so much money on a near-three-hour, slow-moving sci-fi tone poem, it's a shame that its failure effectively prevents anyone bankrolling a sequel at this price point, and it may also discourage studios from rolling the dice on other expensive, risky sci-fi projects.

Sure, it's entirely possible a third Blade Runner could materialise in another 35 years once 2049 has been reissued on home video enough times to make a profit, but in terms of Warner Bros.' most recent plan for more movies, the dream is dead.