Since the early 00's however, we have seen franchises spread like wildfire. Movies like Spider-Man, Hulk, and Iron-Man have collectively earned billions of dollars in revenue. However, as these movies gain public attention and interest, many speculators notice a similar repetitive trait: All of these movies have the same story.
Rather than cite examples, let's take a look at the overall pattern/steps involved in order to make a popular franchise:
1. Introduce a struggling, yet likable protagonist. This person doesn't necessarily have to be a weakling or a nerd, but there is something flawed that the protagonist will learn to overcome through the course of his/her arc.
2. Introduce the emerging, rising-in-power antagonist. The enemy, or villain of the story possesses traits completely opposite of the antagonist. This makes for golden relationship between good and evil since the two characters will oppose, yet complement each other throughout the film. You will see as the antagonist usually starts with the most power and eventually loses it, while the protagonist, or hero starts at rock bottom and has to learn the honorable way to gain and use his/her newly-founded power(s) correctly.
3. A life-changing moment for the protagonist occurs. After we see as the protagonist takes some hits in his/her personal life, whether it be getting beat up by the school bull, or meandering through an empty mansion lonely and hopeless, or watching his/her parents shot to death in an alley, there comes a pivotal change. Something snaps inside of the protagonist either physically or psychologically that drives him/her to his/her destiny: to be a hero. Peter Parker becomes Spider-Man after being bit by a mutant spider. Tony Stark becomes Iron-Man after he learns to use his intelligence to survive by making a suit made of scrap metal. Steve Rogers becomes Captain America after he is physically morphed into a supreme being by modern science. All of these circumstances are different, yet extreme and vital.
4. The Love Interest begins to surface. Maybe he/she was introduced as the unattainable crush in the beginning. Usually, however, the love interest begins noticing the protagonist when the powers are acquired. This love interest will be very important to the rest of the story as it continues and will most likely be a distraction to the hero's mission.
5. The protagonist and antagonist both grow in powers and capabilities. While the hero is learning how to use his/her powers and work out all of the leftover kinks, the villain is devising and building on his/her master plan. Expect more deaths as the hero is still training for greatness.
6. The confrontation between good and evil occurs. This may or not be planned but at some point, usually when a crime led by the antagonist is being committed, there is a dramatic showdown that will be the first in a building series of battles between good and evil. Expect an explosion and the first time a hero may fall on his face.
7. Obstacles and Hard Decisions Ahead. The hero will gain interest in stopping his enemy, the antagonist. Research and side missions will be done in order to see what the villain's master plan is. Meanwhile there will be challenges in the protagonist's personal life such as keeping secrets and letting people close to into his/her life. Expect the protagonist to fall on his/her face multiple times awaiting a final battle.
8. The final battle. The villain has perfected his/her master plan and welcomes the hero into the evil layer or location where everything is about to go down. Expect the villain to use bait for the hero. Perhaps a loved one is involved (usually the love interest). The hero will make tough decisions including what is more important: protecting the person/people he/she loves or putting an end to his/her enemy. Either way the villain will be temporarily or permanently stopped and the hero's journey will be over.
9. One Final Sacrifice. Let's say the hero has won. He/she has put an end to evil, at least for now and the city or surrounding area is safe from crime. Will the hero return or hang up his/her cape and lead a normal life? Most likely, especially if you want a sequel for God's sake, the hero will turn his back on a normal life and continue to secretly or publicly fight injustice. Personal sacrifices may have to be made such as steering clear of his one and only true love in order to protect him/her.
10. Don the suit and tease them with the goods. Will there be a new suit in the sequel? Or a new villain? If you work it into the final scene without being too cheesy, you can really get the audience creaming its pants with a sneak peek of what to expect in the next film. At least show the hero in full costume to hint at more adventures ahead.
There you go. This is all you need to know. Ten easy steps. 90-120 pages. Try to muster in some originality, obviously, but it's really this easy.
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