Thread by @People_Talking_

Something I've been musing about for a while that actually works better as a thread than as a traditional written piece:

There are some fun similarities between the development of the first eight EON James Bond films and Paramount's run of Friday the 13th...

First movies (DR. NO / FRIDAY THE 13TH):

We (the filmmakers/producers) don't really know what we're doing yet. We really just know that we want to capitalize on this popular existing thing (Ian Fleming's novels for Bond; John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN for F13).

Second movies (FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE / FRIDAY THE 13TH: PART 2):

Arguably the most down-to-earth entries in each series (with obvious handwaving for Jason); people who list each as their favorite cite this as a key reason.

Lots of groundwork laid, but quite not a franchise yet.

Third movies (GOLDFINGER / FRIDAY THE 13TH: PART 3-D):

Let's embrace a little more camp and comedy.

James Bond gets his Aston Martin.
Jason puts on the hockey mask.

The pop culture door has been kicked open.

Fourth movies (THUNDERBALL / FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER):

Perhaps the most prototypical examples of each property.
The Aston Martin and hockey mask both return, thus solidifying their eternal place in each franchise.

Also, inflatable rafts.

Fifth movies (YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE / FRIDAY THE 13TH: A NEW BEGINNING):

We're trying to inject some new blood into the franchise, but we've got a lead actor who doesn't want to be there and won't be coming back (justifiably so) sleepwalking his way through the movie.

Sixth movies (ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE / JASON LIVES: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI):

Fresh new start for each series.

Probably the closest each franchise gets to a "real movie."

Strong female leads (still with daddy issues though) who aren't afraid to drive their men around.

Seventh movies (DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER / FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD):

We are DESPERATE (need to get Connery back / try to do 'Freddy vs. Jason' but New Line not interested) and seriously running out of ideas but we do still have some creativity left in the bag (haha).

Eighth movies (LIVE AND LET DIE / FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN):

Uhhhhh, let's go to New York, but just for a little bit.

Aaaaaaaand let's finish with weirdly ambiguous and unnecessarily supernatural endings.

Anyway, if you've made it this far, thank you.

Don't take any of this too seriously (especially about Part V; I actually think John Shepherd does a fine job as Tommy, but it is true he was disappointed to be doing a F13 movie after being offered what he thought was a good role).